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How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in APA

In this citation guide, you will learn how to reference and cite an undergraduate thesis, master’s thesis, or doctoral dissertation. This guide will also review the differences between a thesis or dissertation that is published and one that has remained unpublished. The guidelines below come from the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2020a), pages 333 and 334. Please note that the association is not affiliated with this guide.

Alternatively, you can visit EasyBib.com for helpful citation tools to cite your thesis or dissertation .

Guide Overview

Citing an unpublished thesis or dissertation, citing a published dissertation or thesis from a database, citing a thesis or dissertation published online but not from a database, citing a thesis or dissertation: reference overview, what you need.

Since unpublished theses can usually only be sourced in print form from a university library, the correct citation structure includes the university name where the publisher element usually goes.

Author’s last name, F. M. (Year published). Title in sentence case [Unpublished degree type thesis or dissertation]. Name of institution.

Ames, J. H., & Doughty, L. H. (1911). The proposed plans for the Iowa State College athletic field including the design of a reinforced concrete grandstand and wall [Unpublished bachelor’s thesis]. Iowa State University.

In-text citation example:

• Parenthetical :  (Ames & Doughty, 1911)
• Narrative :  Ames & Doughty (1911)

If a thesis or dissertation has been published and is found on a database, then follow the structure below. It’s similar to the format for an unpublished dissertation/thesis, but with a few differences:

• The institution is presented in brackets after the title
• The archive or database name is included

Author’s last name, F. M. (Year published). Title in sentence case (Publication or Document No.) [Degree type thesis or dissertation, Name of institution]. Database name.

Examples 1:

Knight, K. A. (2011). Media epidemics: Viral structures in literature and new media (Accession No. 2013420395) [Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Santa Barbara]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Trotman, J.B. (2018). New insights into the biochemistry and cell biology of RNA recapping (Document No. osu1523896565730483) [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses & Dissertations Center.

In the example given above, the dissertation is presented with a Document Number (Document No.). Sometimes called a database number or publication number, this is the identifier that is used by the database’s indexing system. If the database you are using provides you with such a number, then include it directly after the work’s title in parentheses.

If you are interested in learning more about how to handle works that were accessed via academic research databases, see Section 9.3 of the Publication Manual.

In-text citation examples :

• Parenthetical citation : (Trotman, 2018)
• Narrative citation : Trotman (2018)

Author’s last name, F. M. (Year Published). Title in sentence case [Degree type thesis or dissertation, Name of institution]. Name of archive or collection. URL

Kim, O. (2019). Soviet tableau: cinema and history under late socialism [Doctoral dissertation, University of Pittsburgh]. Institutional Repository at the University of Pittsburgh. https://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/37669/7/Olga%20Kim%20Final%20ETD.pdf

Stiles, T. W. (2001). Doing science: Teachers’ authentic experiences at the Lone Star Dinosaur Field Institute [Master’s thesis, Texas A&M University]. OAKTrust. https://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2001-THESIS-S745

It is important to note that not every thesis or dissertation published online will be associated with a specific archive or collection. If the work is published on a private website, provide only the URL as the source element.

In-text citation examples:

• Parenthetical citation : (Kim, 2019)
• Narrative citation : Kim (2019)
• Parenthetical citation : (Stiles, 2001)
• Narrative citation : Stiles (2001)

We hope that the information provided here will serve as an effective guide for your research. If you’re looking for even more citation info, visit EasyBib.com for a comprehensive collection of educational materials covering multiple source types.

If you’re citing a variety of different sources, consider taking the EasyBib citation generator for a spin. It can help you cite easily and offers citation forms for several different kinds of sources.

To start things off, let’s take a look at the different types of literature that are classified under Chapter 10.6 of the Publication Manual :

• Undergraduate thesis
• Master’s thesis
• Doctoral dissertation

You will need to know which type you are citing. You’ll also need to know if it is published or unpublished .

When you decide to cite a dissertation or thesis, you’ll need to look for the following information to use in your citation:

• Author’s last name, and first and middle initials
• Year published
• Title of thesis or dissertation
• If it is unpublished
• Publication or document number (if applicable; for published work)
• Degree type (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
• Thesis or dissertation
• Name of institution awarding degree
• DOI (https://doi.org/xxxxx) or URL (if applicable)

Since theses and dissertations are directly linked to educational degrees, it is necessary to list the name of the associated institution; i.e., the college, university, or school that is awarding the associated degree.

To get an idea of the proper form, take a look at the examples below. There are three outlined scenarios:

• Unpublished thesis or dissertation
• Published thesis or dissertation from a database
• Thesis or dissertation published online but not from a database

American Psychological Association. (2020a). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

American Psychological Association. (2020b). Style-Grammar-Guidelines. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/citations/basic-principles/parenthetical-versus-narrative

Published August 10, 2012. Updated March 24, 2020.

Written and edited by Michele Kirschenbaum and Elise Barbeau. Michele Kirschenbaum is a school library media specialist and the in-house librarian at EasyBib.com. Elise Barbeau is the Citation Specialist at Chegg. She has worked in digital marketing, libraries, and publishing.

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To cite a published thesis in APA style, it is important that you know some basic information such as the author, publication year, title of the thesis, institute name, archive name, and URL (uniform resource locator). The templates for an in-text citation and reference list entry of a thesis, along with examples, are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

Use the author surname and the publication year in the in-text citation.

Author Surname (Publication Year)

Cartmel (2007)

Parenthetical:

(Author Surname, Publication Year)

(Cartmel, 2007)

Reference list entry template and example:

The title of the thesis is set in sentence case and italicized. Enclose the thesis and the institute awarding the degree inside brackets following the publication year. Then add the name of the database followed by the URL.

Author Surname, F. M. (Publication Year). Title of the thesis [Master’s thesis, Institute Name]. Name of the Database. URL

Cartmel, J. (2007). Outside school hours care and schools [Master’s thesis, Queensland University of Technology]. EPrints. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/17810/1/Jennifer_Cartmel_Thesis.pdf

To cite an unpublished dissertation in APA style, it is important that you know some basic information such as the author, year, title of the dissertation, and institute name. The templates for in-text citation and reference list entry of an online thesis, along with examples, are given below:

Author Surname (Year)

Averill (2009)

(Author Surname, Year)

(Averill, 2009)

The title of the dissertation is set in sentence case and italicized. Enclose “Unpublished doctoral dissertation” inside brackets following the year. Then add the name of the institution awarding the degree.

Author Surname, F. M. (Publication Year). Title of the dissertation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Name of the Institute.

Averill, R. (2009). Teacher–student relationships in diverse New Zealand year 10 mathematics classrooms: Teacher care [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Victoria University of Wellington.

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General Rule:

Author, A. A. (year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis  (Publication No. #) [Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, Name of Institution Awarding the Degree]. Name of Database.

Davis, P. M. (2010). Access, readership, citations: A randomized controlled trial of scientific journal publishing . (Publication No.   3429815 )  [Doctoral dissertation, Cornell University].  ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.  

Author, A. A. (year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis  [Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, Name of Institution]. Name of Website. URL

Buckman, A. (1997). MOOSE Crossing: Construction, community, and learning in a networked virtual world for kids [Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology]. DSpace@MIT.  https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/33821

Author, A. A. (year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis  [Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis]. Name of Institution.

Long, R.P. (1972). A study of instructional objectives and methods for interpersonal communication. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. West Virginia University.

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Introduction

When creating references for dissertations, theses, and projects, you will need to determine the correct reference type to follow. Dissertations, theses, and projects are generally divided into two separate groups; those that are published and those that are unpublished.

In most cases, unpublished projects are those that are in print and available only from the degree-granting institution. On the other hand, published projects are those that are available in a database, a university archive, or a personal website. 

Variations - URLs?

Some URLs may be long and complicated. APA 7th edition allows the use of shorter URLs. Shortened URLs can be created using any URL shortener service; however, if you choose to shorten the URL, you must double-check that the URL is functioning and brings the reader to the correct website. 

Common URL Shortner websites include:

More Information

For more information about URLs, see Section 9.36 on page 300 of APA Manual, 7th edition. 

NOTE:  Check your instructor's preference about using short URLs. Some instructors may want the full URL. 

Variations - DOIs?

Some DOIs may be long and complicated. APA 7th edition allows the use of shorter DOI numbers. Shortened DOIs can be located at the International DOI Foundations, shortDOI Service . 

More Information:

For more information about DOIs, see Section 9.36 on page 300 of APA Manual, 7th edition. 

NOTE: Check your instructor's preference for using short DOIs. Some instructors may want the full DOI. 

Variations - Live Hyperlinks?

Should my urls be live.

It depends. When adding URLs to a paper or other work, first, be sure to include the full hyperlink. This includes the http:// or the https://. Additionally, consider where and how the paper or work will be published or read. If the work will only be read in print or as a Word doc or Google Doc, then the URLs should not be live (i.e., they are not blue or underlined). However, if the work will be published or read online, then APA advises to include live URLs. This would allow the reader to click on a link and go to the source.   

For more information, see Section 9.35 on pages 299-300 of the APA Manual, 7th edition. 

NOTE: Check your instructor's preference about using live URLs. Some instructors may not want you to use live URLs. 

Print Master's Thesis, Dissertation, or Project

When creating references for dissertations, theses, and projects, you will need to determine the correct reference type to follow. Dissertations, theses, and projects are generally divided into two separate groups; those that are published and those that are unpublished. In most cases, unpublished projects are those that are in print and available only from the degree-granting institution. 

Panasuk, K. N. (2008). What variables appear to work in stress management programs in the workplace and how effective are

these  programs  [Unpublished master’s final project]? The College of St. Scholastica.

Author: Panasuk, K. N.

Begin the reference with the author's last name first. then, add the initials for the first and middle names (if the middle name or middle initial is provided). add a period after each initial, and if there is a middle initial, add a space between the initials., year of publication: (2008)..

Next, in parentheses, list the year of publication, which appears on the title page or the title verso page (back side of title page). Follow the parentheses with a period.   

Title & Subtitle of the Book: What variables appear to work in stress management programs in the workplace and how effective are these programs [Unpublished master's final project]?

Next, add the title and subtitle of the master's thesis, dissertation, final applied project, or capstone. The title and subtitle are separated by a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle and all proper nouns.  Italicize the title and subtitle. Do not add a period immediately after the title. Instead, add brackets with the type of project (Master's project, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Before the type of project add "Unpublished". When choosing wording to describe the project, use the language the degree-granting institution uses to describe the project (e.g., Master's thesis, Doctoral dissertation, Final Applied Project, Capstone Project, Clinical Project, etc.). Add a period after the brackets. If the title has a question mark or exclamation mark, replace the period after the brackets with the proper punctuation mark used in the title.   

Source Information: The College of St. Scholastica.

Complete the reference with the source information, which is the full name of the college or university awarding the degree. add a period after the institution's name.  more information:.

For more information about master's theses, dissertations, or capstone projects, Section 10.6 on pages 333-334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition.

Parenthetical Citation Example:

 (Panasuk, 2008)

Narrative Citation Example:

Panasuk (2008) identified ...

For more information about author format within parenthetical and narrative citations, see Section 8.17 and Table 8.1 on page 266 of the APA Manual, 7th edition. 

Master's Thesis Published in a Commercial Database (like ProQuest Dissertations & Theses)

When creating references for dissertations, theses, and projects, you will need to determine the correct reference type to follow. Dissertations, theses, and projects are generally divided into two separate groups; those that are published and those that are unpublished. In most cases, published projects are those that are available in a database, a university archive, or a personal website. 

Skallet, S. (2016). Environmental approval duration estimating model for improved linear energy construction project schedules  (Publication No.

10125148)  [Master's capstone project, The College of St. Scholastica]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. 

Author: Skallet, S.

Begin the reference with the author's last name first. then, add the initials for the author's first and middle names (if a middle name or middle initial is provided). add a period after each initial, and if there is a middle initial, add a space between the initials.     year of publication: (2016)..

Next, in parentheses, add the year of publication, which appears on the title page or the title page verso (back side of title page). Follow the parentheses with a period.   

Title & Subtitle of the Book:  Environmental approval duration estimating model for improved linear energy construction project schedules  (Publication No. 10125148) [Master's capstone project, The College of St. Scholastica].

Next, add the title and subtitle (if there is a subtitle) of the capstone, final applied project, thesis, or dissertation. Separate the title and subtitle with a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle and all proper nouns. Italicize the title. Do NOT add a period after the title.

After the title, in parentheses, add the publication number (normally found in the record of the project within ProQuest). Before the publication number put "Publication No." Do NOT add a period after the parentheses. 

After the publication number, add brackets with the type of project (Master's thesis, Master's capstone project, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Use the language described by the degree-granting institution to describe the project. Then, add a comma and the name of the institution. Add a period after the brackets.      

Source Information: ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. 

Complete the reference with the commercial database where you found the masters thesis/project. end with a period.    more information:  .

For more information on Master's Theses/Projects, see Section 10.6 on pages 333-334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition.

 (Skallet, 2016)

Skallet (2016) argued ...

Dissertation Published Online

Adame, A. (2019). Fully immersed, fully present: Examining the user experience through the multimodal presence scale and virtual reality gaming

variables [Master's thesis, California State University San Bernardino]. CSUSB ScholarWorks Electronic Theses, Projects, &

Dissertations.  https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/918/

Author: Adame, A. 

Begin the reference with the author's last name first. Then, add the initials of the author's first and middle names (if a middle name or middle initial is provided). Add a period after each initial, and if there is a middle initial, add a space between the initials. 

Year of Publication: (2019). 

Next, in parentheses, add the year of publication, which appears on the title page or the title verso page (back side of the title page). Follow the parentheses with a period. 

Title & Subtitle of the Book: Fully immersed, fully present: Examining the user experience through the multimodal presence scale and virtual reality gaming variables [Master's thesis, California State University San Bernardino]. 

Next, add the title and subtitle (if there a subtitle present) of the thesis or project. Separate the title and subtitle with a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle as well as proper nouns. Italicize the title and subtitle. Do NOT add a period after the title. Instead, after the title, add brackets with the type of project (Master's thesis, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Use the language described by the degree-granting institution to describe the project. Then, add a comma and the name of the institution. Add a period after the brackets.   

Source Information: CSUSB ScholarWorks Electronic Theses, Projects, & Dissertations.  https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/918/

Complete the reference with the name of the website or archive where you found the project. After the name of the website or archive, add a period. Then, add the URL to the project. 

For more information about Master's Theses or Projects, see Section 10.6 on page 333 and example 66 on page 334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition. 

(Adame, 2019)

Adame (2019) distinguished between ...

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A thesis is an unpublished document produced by student as part of the requirements for the degree. They come at various levels (e.g. Honours, Masters, PhD, etc). Check with your lecturer before using a thesis for your assignment.

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Citing Dissertations & Theses in APA Format

Dissertations & Theses

Dissertations and theses are formatted the same way in APA 7th edition. Theses are generally the culminating work for a master's or undergraduate degree and dissertations are often original research completed by doctoral students. Here are examples of a dissertation & a thesis, and how they would be formatted: 

Examples: 

Dissertation found in Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global: 

Reference:  

Banks, B. (2020). Addressing institutional racism in healthcare: A case study (Publication No. 28154307) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota]. Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global. 

In-Text Citation (Paraphrase):  

(Banks, 2020).

In-Text Citation (Direct Quote):

(Banks, 2020, p. 157).

Master's thesis from a University scholarship database: 

Sears, L. B. (2017). The public voice and sustainable food systems: Community engagement in food action plans [Unpublished master's thesis]. University of Kansas.  https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/handle/1808/26899  

In-Text Citation (Paraphrase):

(Sears, 2017). 

(Sears, 2017, p. 24). 

Carrie Forbes, MLS

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Citation information has been adapted from the APA Manual (7th Edition). Please refer to page 333 of the APA Manual (7th Edition) for more information.

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Dissertation or thesis available from a database service:

Author Surname, First Initial. Second Initial. (year of publication).  Title of dissertation or thesis (Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis).  Retrieved from Name of database.  (Accession or Order No.)

For an unpublished dissertation or thesis:

Author Surname, First Initial. Second Initial. (year of creation).  Title of dissertation or thesis (Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis).  Name of Institution, Location.

See Ch 7 pp. 207-208 APA Manual for more examples and formatting rules

Formatting:

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How to cite a master's thesis in APA

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To cite a master's thesis in a reference entry in APA style 6th edition include the following elements:

• Author(s) of the thesis: Give the last name and initials (e. g. Watson, J. D.) of up to seven authors with the last name preceded by an ampersand (&). For eight or more authors include the first six names followed by an ellipsis (…) and add the last author's name.
• Year of publication: Give the year in brackets followed by a full stop.
• Title of the master's thesis: Only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
• URL: Give the full URL where the document can be retrieved from.

Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a master's thesis in APA style 6th edition:

Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the master's thesis (Master's thesis). Retrieved from URL

If the thesis is available from a database, archive or any online platform use the following template:

• Author(s) of the thesis: Give the last name and initials (e. g. Watson, J. D.) of up to 20 authors with the last name preceded by an ampersand (&). For 21 or more authors include the first 19 names followed by an ellipsis (…) and add the last author's name.
• Title of the Master's thesis: Only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
• Publication number: Give the identification number of the thesis, if available.
• Name of the degree awarding institution: Give the name of the institution.
• Name of Platform: Give the name of the database, archive or any platform that holds the thesis.
• URL: If the thesis was found on a database, omit this element.

Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a master's thesis in APA style 7th edition:

Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the Master's thesis ( Publication number ) [Master's thesis, Name of the degree awarding institution ]. Name of Platform . URL

If the thesis has not been published or is available from a database use the following template:

• Location: Give the location of the institution. If outside the United States also include the country name.

Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the master's thesis (Unpublished master's thesis). Name of the degree awarding institution , Location .

If the thesis is not published, use the following template:

Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the master's thesis [Unpublished master's thesis]. Name of the degree awarding institution .

APA reference list examples

Take a look at our reference list examples that demonstrate the APA style guidelines for a master's thesis citation in action:

A master's thesis found in an online platform

Bauger, L . ( 2011 ). Personality, passion, self-esteem and psychological well-being among junior elite athletes in Norway ( Master's Thesis ). Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/29a9/ef96c34e577211246b83b11813a2585033c5.pdf

Bauger, L . ( 2011 ). Personality, passion, self-esteem and psychological well-being among junior elite athletes in Norway [ Master's Thesis , University of Tromsø ]. Semantic Scholar . https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/29a9/ef96c34e577211246b83b11813a2585033c5.pdf

An unpublished master's thesis

Aube, K. E . ( 2019 ). A comparison of water main failure prediction models in San Luis Obispo, CA ( Unpublished master's thesis ). Cal Poly , San Luis Obispo, CA .

Aube, K. E . ( 2019 ). A comparison of water main failure prediction models in San Luis Obispo, CA [ Unpublished master's thesis ]. Cal Poly .

This citation style guide is based on the official Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association ( 6 th edition).

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Published theses and dissertations, unpublished theses and dissertations.

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Thesis and dissertation can mean different things depending on where the degree is awarded. Always check the title page, or subsequent pages, to determine exactly what the work is and use the information for your reference. ​

Auckland University of Technology (and other NZ universities)

• Thesis is either for a doctoral or a master's degree.
• Dissertation is either for a master's or a bachelor's degree with honours.
• Exegesis is the written component of a practice-based thesis where the major output is a creative work;  e.g., a film, artwork, novel.

Other parts of the world

• In North America and some other countries, dissertation is used for a doctoral degree and thesis for a master's degree.

Theses available in a database, a university archive or from a personal website.

Reference format

Theses published online (e.g. in institutional repositories), theses from proquest dissertations and theses global.

Find how to cite in text on the  In-text citation  page.

 Unpublished thesis or dissertations are usually sourced directly from the university in print form.

 Reference format

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APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.) | Generator, Template, Examples

Published on November 6, 2020 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on January 17, 2024.

The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual provides guidelines for clear communication , citing sources , and formatting documents. This article focuses on paper formatting.

Generate accurate APA citations with Scribbr

Throughout your paper, you need to apply the following APA format guidelines:

• Set page margins to 1 inch on all sides.
• Double-space all text, including headings.
• Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches.
• Use an accessible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt., Arial 11pt., or Georgia 11pt.).
• Include a page number on every page.

Let an expert format your paper

Our APA formatting experts can help you to format your paper according to APA guidelines. They can help you with:

• Margins, line spacing, and indentation
• Font and headings
• Running head and page numbering

Table of contents

How to set up apa format (with template), apa alphabetization guidelines, apa format template [free download], page header, headings and subheadings, reference page, tables and figures, frequently asked questions about apa format.

Scribbr Citation Checker New

The AI-powered Citation Checker helps you avoid common mistakes such as:

• Missing commas and periods
• Incorrect usage of “et al.”
• Ampersands (&) in narrative citations
• Missing reference entries

References are ordered alphabetically by the first author’s last name. If the author is unknown, order the reference entry by the first meaningful word of the title (ignoring articles: “the”, “a”, or “an”).

Why set up APA format from scratch if you can download Scribbr’s template for free?

Student papers and professional papers have slightly different guidelines regarding the title page, abstract, and running head. Our template is available in Word and Google Docs format for both versions.

• Student paper: Word | Google Docs
• Professional paper: Word | Google Docs

In an APA Style paper, every page has a page header. For student papers, the page header usually consists of just a page number in the page’s top-right corner. For professional papers intended for publication, it also includes a running head .

A running head is simply the paper’s title in all capital letters. It is left-aligned and can be up to 50 characters in length. Longer titles are abbreviated .

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APA headings have five possible levels. Heading level 1 is used for main sections such as “ Methods ” or “ Results ”. Heading levels 2 to 5 are used for subheadings. Each heading level is formatted differently.

Want to know how many heading levels you should use, when to use which heading level, and how to set up heading styles in Word or Google Docs? Then check out our in-depth article on APA headings .

The title page is the first page of an APA Style paper. There are different guidelines for student and professional papers.

Both versions include the paper title and author’s name and affiliation. The student version includes the course number and name, instructor name, and due date of the assignment. The professional version includes an author note and running head .

For more information on writing a striking title, crediting multiple authors (with different affiliations), and writing the author note, check out our in-depth article on the APA title page .

The abstract is a 150–250 word summary of your paper. An abstract is usually required in professional papers, but it’s rare to include one in student papers (except for longer texts like theses and dissertations).

The abstract is placed on a separate page after the title page . At the top of the page, write the section label “Abstract” (bold and centered). The contents of the abstract appear directly under the label. Unlike regular paragraphs, the first line is not indented. Abstracts are usually written as a single paragraph without headings or blank lines.

Directly below the abstract, you may list three to five relevant keywords . On a new line, write the label “Keywords:” (italicized and indented), followed by the keywords in lowercase letters, separated by commas.

APA Style does not provide guidelines for formatting the table of contents . It’s also not a required paper element in either professional or student papers. If your instructor wants you to include a table of contents, it’s best to follow the general guidelines.

Place the table of contents on a separate page between the abstract and introduction. Write the section label “Contents” at the top (bold and centered), press “Enter” once, and list the important headings with corresponding page numbers.

The APA reference page is placed after the main body of your paper but before any appendices . Here you list all sources that you’ve cited in your paper (through APA in-text citations ). APA provides guidelines for formatting the references as well as the page itself.

Creating APA Style references

Play around with the Scribbr Citation Example Generator below to learn about the APA reference format of the most common source types or generate APA citations for free with Scribbr’s APA Citation Generator .

Formatting the reference page

Write the section label “References” at the top of a new page (bold and centered). Place the reference entries directly under the label in alphabetical order.

Finally, apply a hanging indent , meaning the first line of each reference is left-aligned, and all subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.

Tables and figures are presented in a similar format. They’re preceded by a number and title and followed by explanatory notes (if necessary).

Use bold styling for the word “Table” or “Figure” and the number, and place the title on a separate line directly below it (in italics and title case). Try to keep tables clean; don’t use any vertical lines, use as few horizontal lines as possible, and keep row and column labels concise.

Keep the design of figures as simple as possible. Include labels and a legend if needed, and only use color when necessary (not to make it look more appealing).

Check out our in-depth article about table and figure notes to learn when to use notes and how to format them.

The easiest way to set up APA format in Word is to download Scribbr’s free APA format template for student papers or professional papers.

Alternatively, you can watch Scribbr’s 5-minute step-by-step tutorial or check out our APA format guide with examples.

APA Style papers should be written in a font that is legible and widely accessible. For example:

• Times New Roman (12pt.)
• Arial (11pt.)
• Calibri (11pt.)
• Georgia (11pt.)

The same font and font size is used throughout the document, including the running head , page numbers, headings , and the reference page . Text in footnotes and figure images may be smaller and use single line spacing.

You need an APA in-text citation and reference entry . Each source type has its own format; for example, a webpage citation is different from a book citation .

Use Scribbr’s free APA Citation Generator to generate flawless citations in seconds or take a look at our APA citation examples .

Yes, page numbers are included on all pages, including the title page , table of contents , and reference page . Page numbers should be right-aligned in the page header.

To insert page numbers in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, click ‘Insert’ and then ‘Page number’.

APA format is widely used by professionals, researchers, and students in the social and behavioral sciences, including fields like education, psychology, and business.

Be sure to check the guidelines of your university or the journal you want to be published in to double-check which style you should be using.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Streefkerk, R. (2024, January 17). APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.) | Generator, Template, Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 13, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/format/

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APA Contents

• Introduction to APA style
• In-Text Citations
• Abbreviations
• Audio and Visual media
• Journals/periodicals
• Tables and figures
• Sample reference list

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

• Follow these examples closely for all layout, punctuation, spacing, italicizing and capitalizing.
• The title should be italicized and followed by Doctoral dissertation or Master's thesis in brackets.
• If the work is retrieved from a database it should include the name of the database and the accession number

Published Thesis

Unpublished thesis.

How to Cite a Thesis in APA: A Comprehensive Guide to Proper Citations

Citing a thesis in APA format is a critical skill for students and researchers alike. This blog post will guide you through the essentials of APA citation for theses, ensuring your academic work adheres to widely accepted standards.

The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is commonly used in the social sciences, education, and psychology fields. It provides a consistent framework for referencing sources, including theses.

Key Components of a Thesis Citation in APA

An APA citation for a thesis includes several key components: the author’s name, publication year, thesis title, university name, and the URL or database name (if applicable).

These elements are arranged in a specific order and format to ensure clarity and uniformity in scholarly communication. Understanding and correctly applying these components is crucial for accurate and ethical academic writing.

Why Accurate Citation Matters

Accurate citation is vital for several reasons. It acknowledges the original author’s work, provides readers with the context and sources of your research, and helps avoid plagiarism. Proper citation is not just a formal requirement; it’s a sign of academic integrity and respect within the research community.

For expert assistance in crafting your thesis and ensuring accurate APA citations, consider the specialized services offered at thesisrush.com , a resource dedicated to supporting students with their academic writing challenges.

Step-by-Step Guide to Citing a Thesis in APA

1. formatting the author’s name and publication year.

When citing a thesis in APA format, begin with the author’s last name followed by a comma, then the initial(s) of their first and middle names (if available).

After the author’s name, include the publication year in parentheses. This information is crucial as it identifies the thesis’s creator and the time of its creation, helping readers locate the source.

2. Citing the Thesis Title and University Name

Next, include the title of the thesis in sentence case, capitalizing only the first word and any proper nouns. Italicize the title to distinguish it from other elements of the citation.

Following the title, state the name of the university where the thesis was submitted. This detail provides context about the academic environment in which the research was conducted.

3. Including the URL or Database Name

If the thesis is available online, conclude the citation with the URL or the name of the database where it can be found.

This information is crucial in the digital age, as it allows readers to access the source material directly. Make sure the URL is accurate and leads to the specific document to ensure ease of access for your audience.

Examples of Thesis Citations in APA Format

Citing an Unpublished Thesis

When citing an unpublished thesis, the format slightly differs from a published one. An example of an unpublished thesis citation in APA format would be:

• Doe, J. (2020). Exploring Behavioral Patterns in Early Childhood Education (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Education.

This example demonstrates how to format each element, from the author’s name to the university’s name, for an unpublished thesis.

Citing a Published Thesis from a Database

For a published thesis retrieved from a database, the citation includes the database name or URL. An example is:

• Smith, A. B. (2018). A Comparative Study of Cognitive Development in Children (Doctoral dissertation, University of Psychology). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

This citation shows the inclusion of the database where the thesis can be accessed, a crucial detail for published theses.

Citing an Online Thesis

Citing a thesis found online requires including the direct URL. An example of this citation is:

• Lee, C. (2019). Innovative Teaching Methods in Higher Education. The University of Learning. Retrieved from (here you will insert URL)

This example illustrates the format for citing a thesis available on a university’s digital repository, emphasizing the inclusion of a retrievable URL.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Inaccurate author details.

One common mistake is inaccurately recording the author’s name or initials. Always double-check these details against the original source to ensure accuracy.

Incorrect Title Formatting

Another error is incorrect title formatting. Remember, the thesis title should be in sentence case and italicized. Paying attention to these details is crucial for consistency in APA citations.

Overlooking the University Name and URL

Omitting the university name or the URL (for online theses) can lead to incomplete citations. Ensure every element of the citation is included and correctly formatted.

Advanced Tips

Incorporating Direct Quotes from a Thesis

When including direct quotes from a thesis, it’s important to provide page numbers in the citation. This helps readers locate the specific part of the thesis you’re referencing. For instance:

• Doe, J. (2020). Exploring Behavioral Patterns in Early Childhood Education (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Education. (p. 45).

This citation shows how to incorporate a page number, enhancing the accuracy and usefulness of your reference.

Citing a Thesis with Multiple Authors

In cases where a thesis has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the source. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name. For example:

• Doe, J., & Smith, A. B. (2018). A Comparative Study of Cognitive Development in Children. University of Psychology.

This format acknowledges all contributors, maintaining the integrity of your citation.

Handling Missing Information

Sometimes, certain information like the publication year or university name might be missing. In such cases, use placeholders like “n.d.” (no date) or provide as much information as possible. Be thorough in your search for information to minimize these occurrences.

Utilizing APA Citation Tools and Resources

Online generators.

There are numerous online tools available to assist with APA citation. These generators can automatically format your references, but it’s important to double-check their accuracy. Examples include Citation Machine and BibMe.

Academic Databases and Libraries

Academic databases and university libraries often provide guides and resources for APA citation. Utilizing these resources ensures that your citations are aligned with the latest APA standards.

Consultation with Instructors or Librarians

When in doubt, consulting with your instructor or a librarian can provide clarity and ensure that your citations are correct. Their expertise can be invaluable, especially for complex or unusual citation scenarios.

Concluding Thoughts

Mastering APA citations for theses is a fundamental skill for students and researchers. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the process, from understanding the basics to correctly formatting each citation component.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your academic work adheres to the highest standards of scholarly communication , maintaining integrity and credibility in your field.

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How to Cite a Thesis in APA

Last Updated: January 31, 2023

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 10,655 times.

When you're using a thesis as a reference for a research paper, your citation format will vary depending on where you found the thesis. With the American Psychological Association (APA) citation method, if the thesis was published, you would use the same format you would normally use for a book or journal article. However, your in-text citation and reference list entry will vary if you're referencing an unpublished thesis. [1] X Research source

Crafting an In-Text Citation

• For example, you might write: "However, people's cupcake flavor preference is not correlated to their favorite color (Baker 2018)."

• For example, you might write: "According to Baker (2018), people whose favorite color was purple were not necessarily fond of grape-flavored cupcakes."

• For example, you might write: "As late as 2017, scholars suspected that people's favorite foods corresponded with their favorite colors. However, in 2018, Baker's research showed that there was no correlation between people's favorite colors and their favorite cupcake flavors, indicating the correlation between foods and colors may be overstated."

• The citation goes outside the closing quotation marks but inside the closing punctuation for short quotes. For block quotes, place the citation outside the closing punctuation for the quote.
• If you included the author's name in your text, place the year immediately after the author's name. Then place a parenthetical after the quote with only the page number or range.

Parenthetical In-Text Citation Format for a Direct Quote:

(Author Year, p. #).

Including a Reference List Entry

• Example: Baker, C. F.

• Example: Baker, C. F. (2018).

• Example: Baker, C. F. (2018). Constant craving: Assessing the correlation between color and flavor based on self-professed preferences (Unpublished master's thesis).

• Do not abbreviate place names. Omit the name of the city if it is included in the name of the university.
• Example: Baker, C. F. (2018). Constant craving: Assessing the correlation between color and flavor based on self-professed preferences (Unpublished master's thesis). Candyland University, Narnia.

APA Reference List Entry — Unpublished Thesis

Author, A. A. (Year). Title in sentence case: Subtitle in sentence case (Unpublished [level] thesis). University Name, University Location.

Expert Q&A

• This article provides guidance on how to cite an unpublished thesis in APA format. If the thesis is published, use the format that corresponds to the medium in which you found the thesis. [10] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://libraryguides.vu.edu.au/apa-referencing/theses
• ↑ https://aut.ac.nz.libguides.com/APA6th/theses
• ↑ http://aut.ac.nz.libguides.com/APA6th/intextcitation
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_other_print_sources.html

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How to Cite a Dissertation or Thesis in APA 7 with Examples

30 November 2023

last updated

Dissertations are useful resources for academic writing, which implies that it is vital for students to learn the American Psychological Association (APA) style regulations for a thesis citation. Basically, this guide on how to cite a dissertation in APA begins with a detailed description of this type of paper and a discussion on the types of dissertations. In this case, the manual explains citation guidelines for unpublished thesis or dissertation sources, which represent the standard citation format. Then, the guide identifies and expounds on the modifications of the unpublished dissertation reference entry that students should implement to create correct reference list entries for published dissertations on databases and published dissertations that are not part of any databases.

Definition of a Dissertation

A dissertation is a piece of scholarly work, which is the output of a research task that students at different levels of tertiary education must complete in order to receive a degree. Unlike typical research assignments, a thesis is an extended research activity, where students actively participate in research to advance the discourse on a specific topic through an original contribution to the existing literature. In this case, a thesis has five main sections: introduction, literature review , methodology, results, and discussion. Also, subsections under each of these sections vary extensively due to differences in the complexity of the research.

Types of Dissertations

There are three types of dissertations: undergraduate thesis, master’s thesis , and doctoral dissertation . For example, undergraduate students write an undergraduate thesis to earn their first post-high school degree. Similarly, a postgraduate student writes a master’s thesis in pursuit of a master’s degree and a doctoral dissertation to attain a doctor in philosophy degree at the university. In turn, the length and complexity of a thesis increase as the level of tertiary education rises.

Citing an Unpublished Thesis or Dissertation with an Author, Date, and Title

The author’s name is the first component of any dissertation citation. Basically, the author’s name undergoes inversion, which results in the surname appearing before the other names of the author. In this case, surnames are the only names that appear in full in the author element of the thesis citation while the remaining author’s names are abbreviated. Moreover, a comma separates the author’s last name and the abbreviations of the other names of the author. Then, a period appears immediately after the initial that represents any of the author’s other names. Also, a single space separates the initials of the other names. In a case where the author’s other names contain hyphens, a period follows the initials of the individual hyphenated names. However, there is no space between the initials and the hyphen. Suffixes of the author’s name appear after the initials.

Spelling and Capitalization:

In the citing of a dissertation or thesis reference entry in APA, the author’s name is a duplicate of the author’s name as it appears in the byline. Basically, the citation should retain the hyphenation and spelling of the author’s name. In this case, two-part surnames or any non-English symbols should be similar to their original appearance on the work. Then, consultation of the other author’s works, bibliographic database records, or an online copy of the author’s curriculum vitae resolves issues regarding spelling, hyphenation, accents ambiguity. Moreover, the APA style emphasizes that reference entries should maintain the authors’ preferred capitalization of their names, which implies that they overrule conventional capitalization rules. If an author prefers their names to appear in lower case, inversion of the names occurs, but the names retain their lower case styling in both the reference entry and in-text citation.

Appropriate Date:

The date is the second element when citing a dissertation reference entry in APA. Basically, the date element of the thesis reference list entry refers to the date of publication. In the case of an unpublished thesis or dissertation, the date of approval takes the place of the publication date because it is the only way to create a time-based context for the content of the work. Accordingly, the ‘date of publication’ for citing a dissertation or thesis in APA is the date of approval that appears on the actual manuscript.

Referencing Structure:

A period that follows the parentheses distinguishes the date element from other elements of the citation. Basically, the date can take four forms, where a comma separates the individual measures of time:

• year, month, and day
• year and month
• year and season

In APA, authors of a paper have the freedom to select any of the four forms when citing a dissertation source. Notwithstanding, the author must ensure that there is consistency in the date format for all entries in the reference list. The reference list entries for thesis sources do not contain retrieval dates because they exist in stable forms regardless of the source.

Title of Source:

The title of the dissertation is readily accessible from the front page of the soft copy or hard copy version of the document. Basically, citing a dissertation source in APA means using a standalone work, which implies that it undergoes formatting that is identical to the styling of a book’s title. Moreover, sentence case capitalization and italicization are the only formatting requirements for the title of a thesis source. In turn, the user of a source creates an exact replication of the dissertation’s title to ensure ease of identification.

Bracketed Descriptions:

It may be challenging to discriminate between the numerous types of sources that are present on the reference list at a glance. Basically, the use of square brackets to describe the nature of the source is a common practice. In this case, it allows readers to distinguish a thesis from other sources with similar citation formats, for example, reports and books. Furthermore, the description enables the audience to differentiate between the various types of dissertations. Then, a single space separates the title of the source and square brackets. Usually, square brackets contain the words “Unpublished doctoral thesis” or its equivalents. In turn, APA style allows authors to use ‘back-to-back’ square brackets to provide any relevant additional information, for example, the translation of a foreign dissertation’s title. Besides, researchers include a single space between back-to-back square brackets.

The source element of the thesis or dissertation refers to the ‘location’ researcher acquired the document. In the case of an unpublished thesis or dissertation, any researcher can gain access to the dissertation though visiting the university library where a print form of the source is available. Therefore, the name of the institution that awards the degree upon completion and approval of the thesis is the source. In turn, the name of the university appears as the final element of the reference list entry for citing an unpublished dissertation in APA and retains the institution’s name capitalization preferences.

4. Citing Alterations of a Dissertation to the Standard Reference List Entry Format in APA

• Discussions under this section of the guide point out the modifications of the unpublished thesis reference list entry that occur for correct citation of other forms of dissertations.
• Explanations for the author, date, title, and source elements of the unpublished dissertation citation are universal unless they are explicit changes identified in this section for particular types of sources.

Citing a Thesis or Dissertation from a Database in APA

1. name of awarding institution:.

A database is the source of a published dissertation, which implies that the database name occupies the source element and displaces the name of the institution. As a result, the title element of a reference list entry for citing a dissertation in APA located on a database has the name of the awarding institution as a minor element because it is still an essential piece of bibliographical information. Moreover, the name of the university follows the description of the nature of the thesis source in the square brackets. In turn, a comma and space separate the two items that exist within the squared brackets.

2. Publication Number:

The reference list entry for a published citation may contain a publication number that the database assigns the document for ready location. In this case, the publication number can take various formats, for example, “Paper No. 123.” Then, a writer places the publication number between the title of the source and the square bracketed descriptions while using single spaces as separators before and after the publication number. Parentheses enclose publication numbers. However, publication numbers are not a mandatory element of dissertation citations because electronic databases contain search engines that can locate the document using the name or title of the source.

3. Date of Publication

The date element for citing a dissertation in APA does not prioritize the database publication date. Instead, a writer uses the approval date. Moreover, the date of publication on a database is not accurate for dating the source because the approval of a thesis may occur a couple of years before the work finds its way to a database. In turn, the date the dissertation is available on the database has no value in the creation of a reference list entry.

4. Source Element:

This element of the reference list entry contains the name of the database. Basically, this information tells the audience of the specific database where they can access the published dissertation material. In this case, researchers should accurately present the database name in full to follow the rules on how to cite a dissertation in APA. Moreover, the capitalization of the database’s name borrows from the preferred styling of the database owners, for example, ProQuest. In turn, the name of the database does not undergo italicization.

Citing Theses or Dissertations Published Online in APA

• Modifications of the title and date elements for the published dissertations in databases apply to the citation of dissertations published online.

1. Archive-Name:

The source of a dissertation, which is available online but does not exist within a database, is an online archive. Basically, the online archive is not a database because the links to thesis sources generate the works directly, which is not possible for a database where logins and passwords prohibit direct access to sources from links. In this case, the name of the archive is often a derivative of the hosting educational institution’s name, which the writer may identify from the archive’s home page. Mostly, the archive name maintains the formatting preferences of the owner of the archive, except for italicization.

2. Universal Resource Locator

A universal resource locator (URL) accompanies the citation for a dissertation source in APA that is not in a database container. For example, writers present the URL as a hyperlink with black font and underlined text. Alternatively, researchers may format the URL as the plain text with no underlining. In turn, the ‘copy and paste’ technique is ideal for the inclusion of URLs in the reference list because it prevents any alterations that may result in a URL that does not work.

Referencing Templates for Citing a Dissertation or Thesis in APA

1. unpublished thesis or dissertation.

Last Name, Initials of Other Names. (Date). Title of the dissertation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Name of the College that Awards the Degree.

Brooks, J. D. (2015). Bamboo as a strengthening agent in concrete beams for medium height structures [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. The University of Washington.

2. Thesis or Dissertation From a Database

Last Name, Initials of Other Names. (Date). Title of the dissertation [Doctoral dissertation, Name of the University that Awarded the Degree]. Database Name.

Purat, F. (2015). Internationalization in European minority language literature: A case study of Faeroese, Catalan, and Irish Gaelic in translation [Master’s thesis, The American University of Paris]. ProQuest Dissertation & Thesis Global.

3. Thesis or Dissertation Published Online (Not in a Database)

Last Name, Initials of Other Names. (Date). Title of the dissertation [Doctoral dissertation, Name of the University that Awarded the Degree]. Archive Name. URL

Nordin, H. (2007). Pricing credit derivatives using the Hull-White two-factor model [Master’s thesis, University of Gothenburg]. University of Gothenburg Digital Assets. https://gu.se/digitalAssets/1342/1342762_mscthesisnordin.pdf

Tips on How to Cite a Dissertation or Thesis in APA

• Square bracketed descriptions distinguish the type of thesis source.
• The source of an unpublished dissertation is the university that awards the degree.
• The source of a published dissertation is a database or an online archive.
• URLs are present in citations of published theses that do not exist in databases.

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Dissertation (thesis): how to cite in APA (7th ed.)?

Create a spot-on reference in apa 7 and 6, basic rules.

APA Style (seventh edition) sets common rules for citing dissertations and diploma theses in a list of references. According to these requirements, to cite a dissertation or thesis, one should include the following data in the reference: data of the author, title of the work, its type, and university.

If the text of the work was obtained online by means of a specialised database or institutional repository, the name of the database or repository should be provided as well, together with the URL (if the URL allows the readers accessing the text of the work).

How to cite in a bibliography

Published dissertation or thesis.

Basic reference template:

Author . ( Year ). Work title [ Work type , University ]. Database . URL

Note : provide the type of work and the grade in place of the ‘Work type’ element (for example, ‘Doctoral dissertation’, ‘Master’s thesis’, etc.).

If a dissertation (thesis) published in an online database or repository has a unique number assigned to it, the publication number should be indicated in round brackets after the work title without italics.

Unpublished dissertation or thesis

Author . ( Year ). Work Title [Unpublished work type ]. University .

Note: if a work can only be obtained in print form from a university or other institution, it is considered to be an unpublished work.

Examples of references

Markell,   K. (2019). Ecclesiology and adaptive change: A qualitative study of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations in the Northwest Regional Christian Church (Publication No. 28031160) [Doctoral dissertation, Seattle University]. PQDT Open. https://pqdtopen.proquest.com/doc/2427527679.html?FMT=AI

Skaria,   R. (2020). Machine learning and deep phenotyping towards predictive analytics and therapeutic strategy in cardiac surgery [Doctoral dissertation, University of Arizona]. UA Campus Repository. https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/620615

Aragon, L. (2003). Factors to consider when selecting paraprofessionals for participation in a teacher preparation program [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Colorado at Denver.

Other citation styles:

• What is APA Style (7th ed.)?
• Examples of bibliographic references in APA (7th ed.)
• APA 7 vs APA 6: key differences
• How to cite authors?
• How to format the references page with APA (7th ed.)?
• In-text citations
• Archival document
• Book chapter
• Conference paper
• Dictionary/encyclopedia/dictionary entry/encyclopedia article
• Dissertation (thesis)
• Journal article
• Newspaper article
• Press release
• Religious text
• Social media post
• Software / mobile app
• Video (online)
• Video game / computer game
• What is MLA Style (8th ed.)?
• Examples of references in works cited in MLA (8th ed.)
• How to format the works cited page in MLA (8th ed.)?
• What is Chicago Style?
• Examples of bibliographic references in Chicago Style – notes and bibliography (17th ed.)
• How to format the bibliography page?
• Notes and in-text citations
• Examples of bibliographic references in Chicago Style – author-date (17th ed.)
• What is Harvard referencing style?
• Examples of bibliographic references in Harvard style
• Online video
• What is IEEE Style?
• Examples of bibliographic references in IEEE Style
• How to format the references pages in IEEE Style?
• What is Vancouver Style?
• Examples of bibliographic references in Vancouver Style