How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in APA 7th Edition

This guide explains how to format a thesis or dissertation citation in APA 7th 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 APA 7th Edition:

Template

Author, A. A. (Year). *Title of dissertation or thesis* (Publication No. xxx) [Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis, University Name]. Database Name. https://www.example.com

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Williams, 2021)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Williams, T. R. (2021). Machine learning approaches to early detection of neurodegenerative diseases [Doctoral dissertation, Stanford University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author
List the author's last name and initials.
2
Add the year
Place the year the thesis was published or accepted in parentheses.
3
Write the title
Italicize the full title. Use sentence case. If there is a publication number, include it in parentheses after the title.
4
Add the thesis type and university
In square brackets, write the type of thesis and the institution name, e.g., [Doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan] or [Master's thesis, University of London].
5
Include the database or URL
If accessed from a database, provide the database name. If accessed from a university repository, provide the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not specifying whether it is a doctoral dissertation or master's thesis in square brackets.
Omitting the university name.
Forgetting to include the database name (e.g., ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global) when accessed through a database.
Not italicizing the title of the thesis.
Including the publication number when citing an unpublished thesis (only include it for published/database versions).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an unpublished thesis in APA?

For an unpublished thesis, use the same format but write "[Unpublished doctoral dissertation]" or "[Unpublished master's thesis]" in the square brackets, followed by the university name. Do not include a database name.

Do I need a DOI for a thesis?

If the thesis has a DOI (some do when published through institutional repositories), include it. Otherwise, include the database name or the URL of the repository where you accessed it.

What is a publication number and when do I include it?

A publication number (e.g., a ProQuest number) is assigned to theses published in databases. Include it in parentheses after the title if available: Title of thesis (Publication No. 12345678).

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

List the author's last name and initials.

Add the year

Place the year the thesis was published or accepted in parentheses.

Write the title

Italicize the full title. Use sentence case. If there is a publication number, include it in parentheses after the title.

Add the thesis type and university

In square brackets, write the type of thesis and the institution name, e.g., [Doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan] or [Master's thesis, University of London].

Include the database or URL

If accessed from a database, provide the database name. If accessed from a university repository, provide the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not specifying whether it is a doctoral dissertation or master's thesis in square brackets.

Omitting the university name.

Forgetting to include the database name (e.g., ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global) when accessed through a database.

Not italicizing the title of the thesis.

Including the publication number when citing an unpublished thesis (only include it for published/database versions).