Try these alternatives if your institution uses a different format or platform. If your institution uses a different format or platform: Use the University Template. Download your university’s official thesis template from the graduate school website (e.g., Graduate School Template (2026) ). These...

Start early and verify your format to avoid last-minute approval sheet issues. Tip Action Start early Draft the approval text during your final semester so you can circulate it with your committee for feedback before the defense. Verify format Check your university’s Thesis Format Guide (2026) for...

What Is Approval Sheet?

An approval sheet is a mandatory page in academic theses that certifies your work meets institutional standards.

If your thesis document is missing or incorrectly formatted, the approval sheet must be added and signed by your committee before submission. For Microsoft Word 2024 or later, follow these steps to insert a properly formatted approval sheet.

Quick Fix Summary: Open your thesis document in Microsoft Word 2024, go to Insert → Blank Page, place your cursor at the top, add a centered title "APPROVAL SHEET", then type the required approval text, signatures, and grades below. Save and print for signatures.

What's Happening

The approval sheet is a mandatory page that certifies your thesis meets institutional standards.

Generally, it's the second page in academic theses (as of 2026), coming right after the title page. This page must be signed by your thesis advisor, panel members, and dean. It also includes your final grade and the defense date. Honestly, this is the most important document for proving academic completion—your institution’s registrar reviews it before conferring your degree.

Step-by-Step Solution

You'll need to insert a new page after your title page and add the required approval text with signature lines.

Open your thesis document. Launch Microsoft Word 2024 or later and open your thesis file.
Insert a new blank page after the title page. Place your cursor at the end of the title page, then go to Insert → Blank Page (keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Enter).
Add the title "APPROVAL SHEET" centered and bold. Type the text at the top of the new page, center-align it, and apply bold formatting.
Insert the standard approval text below. Use the following template, aligned left:

This thesis entitled [THESIS TITLE] prepared and submitted by [YOUR NAME] in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of [DEGREE NAME] has been examined and approved by the following members of the thesis committee:

Adviser: [Name], [Title]
Panel Member 1: [Name], [Title]
Panel Member 2: [Name], [Title]
Dean: [Name], [Title]

__________________________________
Signature

Date: _______________________

Final Grade: _______________
Save the document. Go to File → Save (Ctrl + S).

If This Didn't Work

Try these alternatives if your institution uses a different format or platform.

If your institution uses a different format or platform:

Use the University Template. Download your university’s official thesis template from the graduate school website (e.g., Graduate School Template (2026)). These templates include pre-formatted approval pages and comply with institutional standards.
Check for PDF/A compliance. Some universities (like Harvard and MIT) now require thesis approval sheets to be embedded as PDF/A-2b documents. Use File → Export → Create PDF/XPS in Word, then select PDF/A-2b under Options.
Digitally sign the page. If your university supports electronic thesis submission (ETD), use Adobe Acrobat’s Fill & Sign tool to insert digital signatures before uploading to the repository.

Prevention Tips

Start early and verify your format to avoid last-minute approval sheet issues.

Tip	Action
Start early	Draft the approval text during your final semester so you can circulate it with your committee for feedback before the defense.
Verify format	Check your university’s Thesis Format Guide (2026) for font size (usually 12pt Times New Roman), margins (1.5" left, 1" others), and spacing.
Backup before printing	Export a PDF copy after inserting the approval sheet to avoid formatting shifts during printing or signing.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), over 89% of U.S. universities now require electronic thesis and dissertation (ETD) submission, with the approval sheet embedded as the second page in the PDF. Always confirm your institution’s current policy, as deadlines and formats are updated annually.

Contents