An easily customizable LaTeX template for PhD dissertations and M.S. theses (or GBO/DQE/thesis proposals) that meets Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries formatting requirements. This template provides a structured, modular approach to dissertation writing in LaTeX/Overleaf with compliance to JHU formatting standards as of the Spring 2026 term.

Overleaf requires a ZIP file upload. Here's the easiest way:

1. Download ZIP from GitHub:

   • Click the green "Code" button above
   • Select "Download ZIP"
   • Save JHU-thesis-LaTeX-main.zip to your computer

2. Upload to Overleaf:

   • Go to Overleaf.com
   • Click "New Project" → "Upload Project"
   • Select the downloaded JHU-thesis-LaTeX-main.zip file
   • Overleaf will automatically extract and set up your project

3. Start editing:

   • The main document is main.tex
   • Edit files in the Overleaf editor
   • Compile by clicking the "Recompile" button

Note: Overleaf automatically handles LaTeX compilation, so you don't need to run manual commands.

1. Download the template:

   • Click the green "Code" button → "Download ZIP"
   • Extract to your desired location

2. Edit core files:

   • output.xmpdata: Your title, name, subject, and keywords for PDF/A metadata
   • frontmatter/cover.tex: Title, author, degree, and date
   • frontmatter/abstract.tex: Your abstract
   • frontmatter/readers.tex: Your readers/committee
   • frontmatter/acknowledgments.tex: Your acknowledgments
   • frontmatter/quote.tex: Optional epigraph/quotation page

3. Add your content:

   • introduction/introduction.tex: Introduction chapter
   • chapter*/chapter*.tex: Main chapters (currently 3 provided)
   • conclusion/conclusion.tex: Conclusions chapter
   • appendix/appendix*/appendix*.tex: Appendices (currently 3 provided)
   • backmatter/dissertation.bib: Bibliography entries

4. Compile:

   pdflatex main.tex
   bibtex main
   pdflatex main.tex
   pdflatex main.tex

• Use pdflatex for best PDF/A compatibility
• Run bibtex between LaTeX runs for bibliography updates
• Three LaTeX runs typically needed for cross-references and TOC
• Ensure all .tex files are UTF-8 encoded

Note: These commands are for compiling LaTeX on your local device. You do NOT need to worry about this if you use Overleaf.

JHU-thesis-LaTeX/
├── main.tex                        # Document body and chapter ordering
├── preamble.sty                    # All packages, PDF/A compliance, and formatting
├── output.xmpdata                  # ⚠️ PDF/A metadata — UPDATE WITH YOUR INFO
├── .gitignore                      # Excludes build artifacts from version control
├── sRGB_IEC61966-2-1_black_scaled.icc  # ICC color profile for PDF/A-1b
├── latexmkrc.txt                   # latexmk configuration (optional)
├── figures/                        # Introduction figures
│   └── badwater-basin.JPG
├── frontmatter/
│   ├── cover.tex                   # Title page
│   ├── abstract.tex                # Abstract (≤350 words)
│   ├── readers.tex                 # Thesis/reading committee (optional)
│   ├── acknowledgments.tex         # Acknowledgments page (optional)
│   ├── quote.tex                   # Epigraph/quotation page (optional)
│   └── toc.tex                     # Table of contents generation
├── introduction/
│   └── introduction.tex            # Introduction chapter
├── chapter1/
│   ├── chapter1.tex                # Chapter 1 content
│   └── figures/                    # Chapter 1 figures
├── chapter2/
│   ├── chapter2.tex                # Chapter 2 content
│   └── figures/                    # Chapter 2 figures
├── chapter3/
│   ├── chapter3.tex                # Chapter 3 content
│   └── figures/                    # Chapter 3 figures
├── conclusion/
│   └── conclusion.tex              # Conclusions chapter
├── appendix/
│   ├── appendixA/
│   │   ├── appendixA.tex           # Appendix A content
│   │   └── figures/                # Appendix A figures
│   ├── appendixB/
│   │   ├── appendixB.tex           # Appendix B content
│   │   └── figures/                # Appendix B figures
│   └── appendixC/
│       ├── appendixC.tex           # Appendix C content
│       └── figures/                # Appendix C figures
└── backmatter/
    ├── references.tex              # References chapter
    └── dissertation.bib            # Bibliography database

• Frontmatter Order: Title page → Abstract → Readers → Acknowledgments (Preface) → Table of Contents → Lists of Figures/Tables
• Page Numbering: Roman numerals for frontmatter, Arabic for main text, centered at bottom
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides (option for 1.5 inch left margins for physical print copy submission)
• Font: Compatible with both serif and sans serif fonts
• Spacing: Double-spaced main text and abstract
• References Structure: Unified chapter containing appendices and bibliography

• PDF/A-1b Format: Full compliance for dissertation submission with embedded ICC color profile
• Modular Design: Each chapter in separate directory with its own figures/ folder for easy management
• Bibliography Management: natbib package with flexible citation styles
• Figure/Table Support: Pre-configured formatting with automatic numbering (Figure X.Y / Table X.Y)
• Mathematical Notation: Full LaTeX math support with appropriate spacing
• Graphics Path Resolution: Automatic figure lookup across all chapter directories via \graphicspath

Based on official requirements from https://www.library.jhu.edu/library-services/electronic-theses-dissertations/formatting-requirements/:

• ✅ Content centered within margins
• ✅ Page number hidden
• ✅ Title in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
• ✅ Required statement: "A dissertation submitted to Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of [doctoral degree]"
• ✅ Location: "Baltimore, Maryland"
• ✅ Date in "Month Year" format
• ✅ Optional copyright notice at bottom

• ✅ Margins: 1 inch on all sides
• ✅ Fonts: Sans serif recommended (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica) - template supports both serif and sans serif
• ✅ Font Size: 10pt minimum (template uses 12pt)
• ✅ Spacing: Double-spaced main text and abstract
• ✅ Page Numbers: Centered at bottom of page
• ✅ Format: Must be submitted as PDF/A

• ✅ Title page: Hidden page number
• ✅ Front matter: Roman numerals (ii, iii, iv, etc.)
• ✅ Main content: Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.)
• ✅ Position: Centered at bottom of page

1. ✅ Title Page
2. ✅ Abstract (350 words maximum)
3. ✅ Preface (includes Acknowledgments)
4. ✅ Table of Contents
5. ✅ List of Tables (if applicable)
6. ✅ List of Figures (if applicable)

• ✅ Abstract: Maximum 350 words, double-spaced
• ✅ Bibliography: Properly formatted academic citations
• ✅ PDF/A-1b Format: Ensures long-term digital preservation
• ✅ Accessibility: Proper document structure for screen readers

To use sans serif fonts (JHU recommended), modify preamble.sty:

\usepackage{helvet}
\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}

1. Create new directory: chapter4/
2. Create chapter4/figures/ for chapter-specific images
3. Add chapter4/chapter4.tex with content
4. Add the graphics path in preamble.sty: {chapter4/figures/}%
5. Include in main.tex: \input{chapter4/chapter4}

Place figures in the appropriate figures/ directory:

• Introduction figures → figures/
• Chapter figures → chapter*/figures/
• Appendix figures → appendix/appendix*/figures/

Use descriptive, hyphenated filenames (e.g., badwater-basin.JPG, alabama-hills.JPG).

⚠️ PDF/A-1b Image Compliance: All figures must use the sRGB color profile to match this template's output intent. Images from iPhones, newer Macs, and many digital cameras often use Display P3 or Adobe RGB, which can cause PDF/A validation failures or color shifts. Before adding your figures, ensure they meet these requirements:

• Color space: sRGB IEC61966-2.1 (not Display P3, Adobe RGB, or ProPhoto RGB)
• Embedded ICC profile: sRGB profile must be embedded in the image file
• Format: JPG or PNG (JPG recommended for photographs)

To convert images without altering scientific print quality, you can use Claude (ask it to batch-convert your figures from Display P3 to sRGB using Python/Pillow with perceptual rendering intent), or use ImageMagick from the command line:

magick input.jpg -profile sRGB.icc -quality 95 output.jpg

The sample figures included in this template have already been converted to sRGB at 300 DPI print resolution.

Edit the bibliography section in preamble.sty to change citation styles, or modify backmatter/references.tex to add multiple bibliographies.

Before compiling your final submission, you must update output.xmpdata with your personal information. This file controls the XMP metadata embedded in the PDF/A-1b output. Replace the placeholder values:

\Title{Your Actual Dissertation Title}
\Author{Your Full Name}
\Subject{Your Degree/Subject Topic}
\Keywords{keyword1 \sep keyword2 \sep keyword3}
\Copyright{Copyright \copyright\ 2026 by Your Full Name}

The \Publisher and \Org fields are pre-set to Johns Hopkins University and should not need changes. If this file is not updated, your PDF metadata will contain placeholder text, which may cause issues during the Sheridan Libraries submission review.

For JHU-specific formatting questions, consult:

• JHU Sheridan Libraries ETD Guidelines
• JHU Homewood Graduate Board Requirements

For LaTeX technical issues, refer to comprehensive LaTeX documentation or TeX Stack Exchange.

This template was created in March 2026 and reflects current JHU dissertation requirements. Always verify with the latest official guidelines before submission.