CiteDashThis guide explains how to format a thesis or dissertation citation in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.
The general pattern for citing a thesis or dissertation in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography):
Template
Note: Author First Last, "Title of Thesis" (PhD diss./master's thesis, University, Year), page. Bibliography: Last, First. "Title of Thesis." PhD diss./Master's thesis, University, Year.
How the citation appears within the body of your paper:
In-text citation
1. Tara R. Williams, "Machine Learning Approaches to Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Diseases" (PhD diss., Stanford University, 2021), 45.
The full citation as it appears in your bibliography:
Bibliography entry
Williams, Tara R. "Machine Learning Approaches to Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Diseases." PhD diss., Stanford University, 2021.
Format the author name
In notes: First Name Last Name. In bibliography: Last Name, First Name.
Write the thesis title
Place the title in quotation marks (not italics) with headline-style capitalization. Chicago treats theses as unpublished works, which take quotation marks.
Add the degree type and university
Write the degree abbreviation ("PhD diss." or "master's thesis"), followed by the university name and year.
Format for notes vs. bibliography
In notes, place the degree, university, and year in parentheses. In bibliography, write them after a period.
Add page number in notes
Include the specific page number after the closing parenthesis in footnotes.
Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your thesis or dissertation:
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