Turabian Style Capstone Template Guidelines

(University of Denver College of Professional Studies Requirements Included)

This guideline outlines the required format and content for your Capstone, adhering to the 9th edition of Kate L. Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (2018) and the specific “University of Denver College of Professional Studies Format and Style Requirements” (PSCFSR 2025). In cases of conflict between Turabian and the PSCFSR, the PSCFSR guidelines take precedence. The Capstone must use the Turabian 9th ed. author-date citation style.

I. General Formatting

• Conflict Resolution: Follow the “University of Denver College of Professional Studies Format and Style Requirements” (PSCFSR 2025) in case of any discrepancy with Turabian’s manual.
• Citation Style: Use the Turabian 9th ed. author-date citation style as outlined in Chapters 18 and 19 of Turabian (2018). Do NOT use the notes-bibliography style.
• File Extension: Submit all writing assignments as documents with the .doc or .docx file extensions.
• Text Formatting: Use your word processing program’s text formatting features (not tabs, spaces, or multiple hard returns). It is recommended to turn on the “show formatting” feature (¶).
• Font: Use Calibri 12-point font for the entire document, except that the font within tables and figures may be reduced for readability.
• Margins (Front Matter and Body): Maintain one-inch margins on all four edges of the page for the Abstract, Table of Contents, and all body pages.

II. Front Matter

A. Title Page

• Formatting: Follow the template below, ensuring the text is centered and double-spaced. The assignment title should be in bold. Insert extra vertical spaces between the key sections. A three-inch margin at the top of the page is required. [Assignment Title] for [Degree (e.g., Master of Science, or Bachelor of Arts)] [Degree Program (e.g., Environmental Policy and Management)] [Student Name] University of Denver College of Professional Studies [Date (e.g., November 26, 2025)] Faculty: [Faculty Name and credentials(e.g., Tim Leddy, MBA)] Director: [Director Name and credentials] Dean: [Dean Name and Credentials]
• Title: Use first-level headline-style (centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.). Avoid acronyms, abbreviations, quotation marks, and italics. Reflect the Capstone’s content accurately and concisely. Consider adding a subtitle for clarity.
• Required Information (Descending Order): Your instructor’s name and credentials, your academic program director’s name and credentials, and the dean’s name and credentials.
• Page Number: No page number appears on the Title Page.
• Section Break: Insert a section break at the bottom of the Title Page.
• Self-Check:
  • [ ] Did you follow the requirements for page formatting?
  • [ ] Does your title contain all the required elements?
  • [ ] Did you use the specified Title Page template?

Title Page Example for Turabian

B. Abstract

• Placement: Always the second page.
• Heading: Use a first-level heading: Abstract (centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Content: Summarize the main idea in no more than 120 words in a single, double-spaced paragraph with a 0.5-inch first-line indent. Describe the problem, what was done, how, and the solution. Rarely includes citations.
• Page Numbering: Header with your last name and a hyphen, followed by “ii” (e.g., LastName-ii), right-justified in the header.
• Self-Check:
  • [ ] Did you follow the requirements for formatting?
  • [ ] Does your Abstract contain all the required elements?
  • [ ] Is the Abstract 120 words or fewer?
  • [ ] Is the page number in the correct format and location?

C. Table of Contents

• Placement: Always the third page. Insert a page break after the Abstract.
• Title: Table of Contents (first-level headline-style: centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Spacing: Uniformly double-spaced.
• Content: List all Capstone sections following the TOC. Level-one headings in bold font, level-two subheadings in regular font. Use 12-point Calibri font. Content flush left, page numbers flush right, with dot leaders in between. Do not include the Title Page, Abstract, or TOC itself.
• Page Numbering: Header with your last name and a hyphen, followed by “iii” (e.g., LastName-iii), right-justified in the header.
• Self-Check:
  • [ ] Does the TOC immediately follow the Abstract?
  • [ ] Is the TOC numbered beginning with page iii in roman numerals with the correct header?
  • [ ] Do all level-one and level-two headings appear?
  • [ ] Do the dot leaders extend correctly?
  • [ ] Is the spacing uniformly double?

Download complete guidelines on how to write a capstone project

A. Background

• Placement: Begins on a new page after the Table of Contents.
• Title: Background (first-level headline-style: centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Page Numbering: Header with your last name and a hyphen, followed by “1” (e.g., LastName-1) in Arabic numerals, right-justified in the header.
• Subsections (Level-Two Headings): Importance of Topic and Problem Statement (centered, regular, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Content: Provides context, states purpose, explains significance, begins citing sources, and ends with a clear problem statement including your thesis.
• Self-Check: (Same as before)

B. Approach

• Placement: Follows the Background section with no page break.
• Title: Approach (first-level headline-style: centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Tense: Primarily past and present perfect.
• Content: Explains research methodology, justifies its appropriateness, identifies limitations.
• Page Numbering: Continues with Arabic numerals in the header (e.g., LastName-2).
• Self-Check: (Same as before)

C. Literature Review

• Placement: Follows the Approach section with no page break.
• Title: Literature Review (first-level headline-style: centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Tense: Generally past or present perfect (except direct quotes).
• Voice: Avoid “I,” maintain formal tone.
• Content: Demonstrates understanding of scholarly literature, presents arguments, supports claims with evidence, synthesizes sources.
• Subheadings: Use Level 2 (centered, regular, Calibri 12 pt.) and Level 3 (italic or bold, flush left, Calibri 12 pt.) headings for organization.
• Page Numbering: Continues with Arabic numerals in the header (e.g., LastName-3).
• Self-Check: (Same as before)

D. Solution

• Placement: Follows the Literature Review section with no page break.
• Title: Solution (first-level headline-style: centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Content: Presents your justified solution or resolution.
• Page Numbering: Continues with Arabic numerals in the header (e.g., LastName-…).
• Self-Check: (Same as before)

E. Discussion

• Placement: Follows the Solution section with no page break.
• Title: Discussion (first-level headline-style: centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Content: Interprets analysis results, connects to literature and thesis, may include SWOTT analysis.
• Page Numbering: Continues with Arabic numerals in the header.
• Self-Check: (Same as before)

F. Recommendations

• Placement: Follows the Discussion section with no page break.
• Title: Recommendations (first-level headline-style: centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Content: Presents ideas for future action or study based on your findings.
• Page Numbering: Continues with Arabic numerals in the header.
• Self-Check: (Same as before)

G. Conclusion

• Placement: Follows the Recommendations section with no page break.
• Title: Conclusion (first-level headline-style: centered, bold, Calibri 12 pt.).
• Content: Briefly summarizes the Capstone and restates the validity of your thesis.
• Page Numbering: Continues with Arabic numerals in the header.
• Self-Check: (Same as before)

IV. Back Matter

A. References

• Placement: Begins on a new page after the Conclusion.
• Title: References (Calibri 12 pt. bold, centered).
• Formatting: Uniformly double-spaced with no extra space between entries. Use a 0.5-inch hanging indent for each entry. URLs should text-wrap.
• Content: Alphabetical list of all sources cited in the Capstone.
• Page Numbering: Continues with Arabic numerals in the header.
• Self-Check:
  • [ ] References follow Turabian author-date style with uniform double spacing and hanging indents?
  • [ ] The title “References” is in Calibri 12 pt. bold and centered?
  • [ ] All reference list entries end with a period?
  • [ ] References are alphabetized?
  • [ ] URLs text-wrap?
  • [ ] Only cited sources are included?

V. Overall Capstone Writing

• Formal Writing: (Same as before)

VI. References (Example)

Creswell, J. W. 1994. Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

DU College of Professional Studies. 2025. “College of Professional Studies Format and Style Requirements.” Denver, CO: University of Denver. http://h5pservice.du.edu/wpcontent/uploads/DUProfessional Studies-Format-and-Style-Requirements.pdf.

Steinaker, Norman W., and Terry A. Bustillos. 2008. A Handbook for Writing Formal Papers: From Concept to Conclusion. 5th ed. Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions.

Turabian, Kate L. 2018. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. ¹ 9th ed. Rev. Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, William T. FitzGerald, and the University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff. ² Chicago: The University of Chicago ³ Press.