How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in AMA 11th Edition

This guide explains how to format a thesis or dissertation citation in AMA 11th Edition. Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a thesis or dissertation in AMA 11th Edition:

Template

Author. Title of Thesis [type of thesis]. City: University; Year.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

superscript 1

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Williams TR. *Machine Learning Approaches to Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Diseases* [dissertation]. Stanford, CA: Stanford University; 2021.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author
Write the author's surname followed by initials (no full stops).
2
Write the title
Italicise the full title using title case.
3
Add the thesis type
In square brackets, write the type: [dissertation] for doctoral work, [master's thesis] for master's degrees.
4
Include location and university
Write the city (and state for US locations), a colon, and the university name.
5
Add the year
Write a semicolon followed by the year. End with a full stop.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not including the thesis type in square brackets.
Using 'PhD thesis' instead of 'dissertation'.
Omitting the city before the university name.
Forgetting the semicolon between the university and year.
Using full stops after author initials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What term does AMA use for a doctoral thesis?

AMA uses '[dissertation]' in square brackets for doctoral work and '[master's thesis]' for master's work. These designations go immediately after the title.

Is the thesis title italicised in AMA?

Yes. AMA italicises thesis titles, treating them similarly to book titles.

Does AMA require the city for theses?

Yes. Include the city (and state abbreviation for US locations) before the university name: Stanford, CA: Stanford University.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your thesis or dissertation:

Author
Year
Title
Type (doctoral dissertation or master's thesis)
University name
Database or repository (if applicable)
URL (if available online)

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the author

Write the author's surname followed by initials (no full stops).

Write the title

Italicise the full title using title case.

Add the thesis type

In square brackets, write the type: [dissertation] for doctoral work, [master's thesis] for master's degrees.

Include location and university

Write the city (and state for US locations), a colon, and the university name.

Add the year

Write a semicolon followed by the year. End with a full stop.