An APA dissertation citation follows this structure: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation/thesis [Type of thesis, Institution Name]. Database. URL. For unpublished theses, use "[Unpublished doctoral dissertation/master's thesis]" and omit database information.
How to Cite a Dissertation or Thesis in APA Style
Citing academic theses in APA 7th edition requires you to provide the author, year of completion, italicized title, a bracketed medium descriptor containing the type and institution, and source details (database name, archive repository, or direct URL).
The basic format for a published dissertation retrieved from a database is:
APA Dissertation and Thesis Citation Examples
| Scenario | APA 7th Edition Reference Entry |
|---|---|
| Published (Database - ProQuest) | Smith, J. (2023). Cognitive styles in modern learning [Doctoral dissertation, Stanford University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. https://www.proquest.com/docview/123456 |
| Published (University Repository) | Jones, M. (2022). Effects of physical therapy on chronic pain [Master's thesis, University of Michigan]. Deep Blue Repository. https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/12345 |
| Unpublished Dissertation | Williams, K. (2021). A study on social isolation in teenagers [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Southern California. |
Key Formatting Rules for Dissertations and Theses
- Medium brackets: State whether it is a `[Doctoral dissertation]` or `[Master's thesis]`, followed by a comma and the name of the awarding university. E.g., `[Doctoral dissertation, Stanford University]`.
- Italics: Italicize the title of the thesis or dissertation, not the university name or database name.
- Database Name: If retrieved from databases like ProQuest, list the database name as the source. Do not italicize it.
- Unpublished works: If you read the work in print directly at the university rather than online, change the brackets to `[Unpublished doctoral dissertation]` and write the university name at the end as publisher.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a dissertation or thesis in APA format?
To cite a published dissertation or thesis in APA 7th edition: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation/thesis [Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis, Institution Name]. Database Name. URL/DOI. For example: Smith, J. (2023). Cognitive styles in learning [Doctoral dissertation, Stanford University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. https://...
What is the difference between a published and unpublished dissertation in APA?
A published dissertation is retrieved from an academic database (like ProQuest) or an institutional repository. An unpublished dissertation is sourced directly from the university in print or personal archive, and contains "[Unpublished doctoral dissertation]" or "[Unpublished master's thesis]" inside the brackets instead, with the university listed at the end.
Should I include the database name in my APA dissertation citation?
Yes, if the dissertation or thesis was retrieved from a commercial database like ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, include the database name in the citation. If it was retrieved from a university's open-access repository, do not list a database name — instead, list the repository name or the direct URL.
How do I format the title of a dissertation in APA?
Italicize the title of the dissertation or thesis. Use sentence case capitalization. Immediately after the title, add square brackets describing the work type (e.g. doctoral dissertation or master's thesis) and the awarding institution: *Title of thesis* [Master's thesis, Harvard University].
Is this APA dissertation citation generator free?
Yes, this generator is completely free, does not limit citation exports, and requires no registration. It supports auto-fill via URL and manual entry.