How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in APA, MLA & Chicago Format (2026 Guide)

Citing a thesis or dissertation correctly is one of the trickier citation tasks you'll face in academic writing. Unlike journal articles or books, theses and dissertations have unique elements — like the degree type, institution, and whether it's published or unpublished.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to cite a thesis or dissertation in APA, MLA, and Chicago format, with clear examples you can follow.

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Thesis vs. Dissertation?
2. How to Cite a Dissertation in APA Format
3. How to Cite a Thesis in MLA Format
4. How to Cite a Dissertation in Chicago Format
5. Published vs. Unpublished: What's the Difference?
6. How to Find Theses and Dissertations
7. FAQ

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What Is a Thesis vs. Dissertation?

Before we dive into citations, let's clarify the terminology:

• Thesis: A research document submitted for a master's degree
• Dissertation: A research document submitted for a doctoral degree (PhD)

In citation formats, both are treated similarly. The key differences in your citation will be:

• The degree type (Master's thesis vs. Doctoral dissertation)
• Whether it's published (in a database) or unpublished
• Where you accessed it (database name or institution)

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How to Cite a Dissertation in APA Format

APA 7th edition has specific guidelines for citing theses and dissertations.

APA Format: Published Dissertation (Database)

If you found the dissertation in a database like ProQuest:

Reference List Format:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation: Subtitle in sentence case (Publication No. [Number]) [Doctoral dissertation, Name of Institution]. Database Name.

Example:

Johnson, M. R. (2023). The impact of social media on academic performance in undergraduate students (Publication No. 28541236) [Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

APA Format: Unpublished Dissertation

If the dissertation isn't in a database:

Reference List Format:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation: Subtitle in sentence case [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Name of Institution.

Example:

Chen, L. (2024). Climate change perception among urban millennials: A qualitative study [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Stanford University.

APA In-Text Citation for Dissertations

In-text citations follow standard APA format:

• (Johnson, 2023) — Parenthetical
• Johnson (2023) — Narrative

Tip: There's no difference in in-text citation whether it's published or unpublished — the distinction only matters in your reference list.

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How to Cite a Thesis in MLA Format

MLA 9th edition treats theses and dissertations as specific types of works.

MLA Format: Basic Structure

Works Cited Format:

Author Last Name, First Name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Year. Institution, Type of degree. Database Name, URL.

MLA Format: Database Thesis Example

Williams, Sarah J. "Navigating Identity: First-Generation College Students and Cultural Capital." 2022. Boston University, MA thesis. ProQuest, www.proquest.com/docview/2684531297.

MLA Format: Unpublished Thesis Example

Patel, Amir. "Machine Learning Applications in Medical Diagnosis: A Systematic Review." 2024. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, PhD dissertation.

MLA In-Text Citation for Theses

Use the author's last name:

• (Williams 45) — With page number
• (Patel) — Without page number

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How to Cite a Dissertation in Chicago Format

Chicago style offers two systems: Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date.

Chicago Notes-Bibliography Style

Footnote Format:

First Name Last Name, "Title of Dissertation: Subtitle" (PhD diss., University Name, Year), page number, Database Name.

Footnote Example:

1. Rachel Kim, "The Evolution of Digital Privacy Laws in the European Union" (PhD diss., Georgetown University, 2023), 45, ProQuest Dissertations.

Bibliography Format:

Last Name, First Name. "Title of Dissertation: Subtitle." PhD diss., University Name, Year. Database Name.

Bibliography Example:

Kim, Rachel. "The Evolution of Digital Privacy Laws in the European Union." PhD diss., Georgetown University, 2023. ProQuest Dissertations.

Chicago Author-Date Style

Reference List Format:

Last Name, First Name. Year. "Title of Dissertation: Subtitle." PhD diss., University Name.

Example:

Kim, Rachel. 2023. "The Evolution of Digital Privacy Laws in the European Union." PhD diss., Georgetown University.

In-Text Citation:

(Kim 2023, 45)

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Published vs. Unpublished: What's the Difference?

This distinction matters for your citation format:

Published Thesis/Dissertation

A thesis is "published" if it's available in:

• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses — The largest database
• Institutional repositories — University digital archives
• ERIC database — Education-focused research
• Open access repositories — Like OATD.org

What to include: Database name, URL (if online), Publication Number (if available)

Unpublished Thesis/Dissertation

A thesis is "unpublished" if it's only available:

• Directly from the author
• In physical form at the university library
• Through restricted institutional access

What to include: Label it as "Unpublished" and include the institution name

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How to Find Theses and Dissertations

Need sources for your research paper? Here's where to find theses and dissertations:

Free Databases

1. OATD (Open Access Theses and Dissertations) — oatd.org
2. NDLTD (Networked Digital Library of Theses) — ndltd.org
3. Google Scholar — Filter by searching "thesis" or "dissertation"
4. University institutional repositories — Most universities have open archives

Paid/Library Access

1. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global — Most comprehensive
2. EThOS (British Library) — UK theses
3. DART-Europe — European doctoral theses

Pro tip: If you find a dissertation on ProQuest but can't access it, check if your university library has a subscription. Most do.

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Quick Reference Table

| Format | Published Dissertation | Unpublished Thesis | |--------|----------------------|--------------------| | APA | Include database name, Publication No. | Label as [Unpublished doctoral dissertation] | | MLA | Include database, URL | Omit database info | | Chicago | Include database name | Omit database info |

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing Thesis and Dissertation

Use the correct term based on degree level:

• Master's = Thesis
• Doctoral = Dissertation

2. Missing the Institution

Always include the university where the thesis was submitted.

3. Forgetting the Database

If you accessed it through a database, cite the database.

4. Wrong Capitalization

• APA: Sentence case for titles
• MLA: Title case (capitalize major words)
• Chicago: Title case

5. Missing Publication Number

ProQuest dissertations have a Publication Number — include it in APA format.

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FAQ

How do I know if a dissertation is published or unpublished?

If you can access it through a database like ProQuest or your university's digital repository, it's published. If you received it directly from the author or found it only in physical form at a library, it's unpublished.

Do I cite a thesis differently than a dissertation?

The format is the same — you just label it correctly ("Master's thesis" vs. "Doctoral dissertation" or "PhD dissertation").

Should I include the advisor's name in the citation?

No, standard citation formats don't require the advisor's name. Only include the author of the thesis.

How do I cite a thesis I found on the author's personal website?

Treat it as a web document and include the URL. Indicate it's a thesis/dissertation by including that information:

APA Example:

Smith, J. (2024). Title of thesis [Master's thesis, University Name]. https://personalsite.com/thesis.pdf

Can I cite a thesis from another country?

Yes! The format stays the same. Just include the full institution name (which usually indicates the country).

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Key Takeaways

• Know your format: APA, MLA, and Chicago each have specific requirements
• Published vs. unpublished matters: Include database info for published works
• Always include: Author, title, year, degree type, and institution
• Proofread: Thesis citations have many small details that are easy to miss

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Conclusion

Citing a thesis or dissertation doesn't have to be complicated. Once you know whether it's published or unpublished and which citation style you're using, just follow the templates above.

Remember: the goal of any citation is to help your reader find the source. Include all the relevant details, and you'll be fine.

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