What the table of contents includes
List every major part that follows the table of contents itself, in order, with its starting page number:
- Front matter that comes after it: List of Tables, List of Figures, and List of Abbreviations, numbered in lowercase Roman numerals (iv, v, vi).
- Chapters: Chapter 1 through Chapter 5 (or your program's equivalent), each with its full title.
- Headings within chapters: usually the first two or three heading levels, indented by level.
- Back matter: References, then each appendix by letter and title (Appendix A: Interview Protocol).
The title page, copyright page, and abstract usually come before the table of contents and are not listed in it. Some schools list the abstract and acknowledgments; check your manual.
Typical order of the front matter
- Title page (counted as page i but often not printed)
- Copyright page (optional)
- Approval or signature page (if your school requires one)
- Abstract
- Dedication and acknowledgments (optional)
- Table of Contents
- List of Tables
- List of Figures
- List of Abbreviations (if used)
Front matter uses lowercase Roman numerals. Page 1 in Arabic numerals starts on the first page of Chapter 1.
Formatting rules that reviewers check
| Element | Common rule |
|---|---|
| Title | "Table of Contents" or "Contents", centered at the top of a new page |
| Wording | Every entry matches the heading in the text word for word, including capitalization |
| Indentation | Each heading level is indented about ½ inch more than the level above it |
| Page numbers | Right-aligned, joined to the entry by dot leaders (.......) |
| Spacing | Single-spaced within an entry, double-spaced between entries, unless your manual says otherwise |
| Depth | Most schools list two or three heading levels; deeper levels make it hard to read |
Example layout
List of Tables ........................................ vi
Chapter 1: Introduction ................................ 1
Background of the Problem ........................ 2
Problem Statement .................................. 5
Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................... 14
References ............................................. 142
Appendix A: Interview Protocol ......................... 160
Build it automatically in Microsoft Word
- Apply Word's Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 styles to every chapter title and heading, and change the style formatting to match your manual.
- Insert section breaks so the front matter can use Roman numerals and Chapter 1 can restart at page 1.
- Go to References > Table of Contents > Custom Table of Contents, choose dot leaders and the number of levels.
- Before every submission, right-click the table and choose Update Field > Update entire table.
A hand-typed table of contents almost always drifts out of date after revisions. Building it from heading styles keeps it accurate.
Final checks
- Every heading in the text appears in the table at the right level, and nothing extra appears.
- Each page number matches the page where the heading actually starts.
- Appendices are listed with letters and titles that match the appendix pages.
- The table itself is not listed in the table of contents.
Formats differ by university, program, and field. Your graduate school's thesis and dissertation manual and your committee always take priority over any general guide, including this one.
Frequently asked questions
Does a thesis need a table of contents?
Yes. Almost every graduate school requires one for a thesis or dissertation, even though APA student papers do not normally include one.
Should the abstract be listed in the table of contents?
It depends on your school. Many list only what follows the table of contents; some list the abstract and acknowledgments too. Follow your graduate school manual.
How many heading levels should I include?
Two or three levels is typical. Including every heading level makes the table long and harder to use.