Banner

Citation Help for APA, 7th Edition: Master's Thesis, Dissertation, or Capstone Project

  • Books & Ebooks
  • Book Chapter & Ebook Chapter
  • Conference Presentations
  • Course Resources (PowerPoint, Handouts, etc.)
  • Encyclopedia
  • Journal Article
  • Legal Materials
  • Magazine Article
  • Master's Thesis, Dissertation, or Capstone Project
  • Movies & Streaming Video
  • Newspaper Article
  • Personal Communication (email, interviews, lectures, course materials, etc.)
  • Webpages & Websites
  • Formatting Your Paper
  • In-text Citations
  • Ethically Use Sources

Introduction

When creating references for dissertations, theses, and projects, you will need to determine the correct reference type to follow. Dissertations, theses, and projects are generally divided into two separate groups; those that are published and those that are unpublished.

In most cases, unpublished projects are those that are in print and available only from the degree-granting institution. On the other hand, published projects are those that are available in a database, a university archive, or a personal website. 

Variations - URLs?

Some URLs may be long and complicated. APA 7th edition allows the use of shorter URLs. Shortened URLs can be created using any URL shortener service; however, if you choose to shorten the URL, you must double-check that the URL is functioning and brings the reader to the correct website. 

Common URL Shortner websites include:

More Information

For more information about URLs, see Section 9.36 on page 300 of APA Manual, 7th edition. 

NOTE:  Check your instructor's preference about using short URLs. Some instructors may want the full URL. 

Variations - DOIs?

Some DOIs may be long and complicated. APA 7th edition allows the use of shorter DOI numbers. Shortened DOIs can be located at the International DOI Foundations, shortDOI Service . 

More Information:

For more information about DOIs, see Section 9.36 on page 300 of APA Manual, 7th edition. 

NOTE: Check your instructor's preference for using short DOIs. Some instructors may want the full DOI. 

Variations - Live Hyperlinks?

Should my urls be live.

It depends. When adding URLs to a paper or other work, first, be sure to include the full hyperlink. This includes the http:// or the https://. Additionally, consider where and how the paper or work will be published or read. If the work will only be read in print or as a Word doc or Google Doc, then the URLs should not be live (i.e., they are not blue or underlined). However, if the work will be published or read online, then APA advises to include live URLs. This would allow the reader to click on a link and go to the source.   

For more information, see Section 9.35 on pages 299-300 of the APA Manual, 7th edition. 

NOTE: Check your instructor's preference about using live URLs. Some instructors may not want you to use live URLs. 

Print Master's Thesis, Dissertation, or Project

When creating references for dissertations, theses, and projects, you will need to determine the correct reference type to follow. Dissertations, theses, and projects are generally divided into two separate groups; those that are published and those that are unpublished. In most cases, unpublished projects are those that are in print and available only from the degree-granting institution. 

Panasuk, K. N. (2008). What variables appear to work in stress management programs in the workplace and how effective are

these  programs  [Unpublished master’s final project]? The College of St. Scholastica.

Author: Panasuk, K. N.

Begin the reference with the author's last name first. then, add the initials for the first and middle names (if the middle name or middle initial is provided). add a period after each initial, and if there is a middle initial, add a space between the initials., year of publication: (2008)..

Next, in parentheses, list the year of publication, which appears on the title page or the title verso page (back side of title page). Follow the parentheses with a period.   

Title & Subtitle of the Book: What variables appear to work in stress management programs in the workplace and how effective are these programs [Unpublished master's final project]?

Next, add the title and subtitle of the master's thesis, dissertation, final applied project, or capstone. The title and subtitle are separated by a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle and all proper nouns.  Italicize the title and subtitle. Do not add a period immediately after the title. Instead, add brackets with the type of project (Master's project, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Before the type of project add "Unpublished". When choosing wording to describe the project, use the language the degree-granting institution uses to describe the project (e.g., Master's thesis, Doctoral dissertation, Final Applied Project, Capstone Project, Clinical Project, etc.). Add a period after the brackets. If the title has a question mark or exclamation mark, replace the period after the brackets with the proper punctuation mark used in the title.   

Source Information: The College of St. Scholastica.

Complete the reference with the source information, which is the full name of the college or university awarding the degree. add a period after the institution's name.  more information:.

For more information about master's theses, dissertations, or capstone projects, Section 10.6 on pages 333-334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition.

Parenthetical Citation Example:

 (Panasuk, 2008)

Narrative Citation Example:

Panasuk (2008) identified ...

For more information about author format within parenthetical and narrative citations, see Section 8.17 and Table 8.1 on page 266 of the APA Manual, 7th edition. 

Master's Thesis Published in a Commercial Database (like ProQuest Dissertations & Theses)

When creating references for dissertations, theses, and projects, you will need to determine the correct reference type to follow. Dissertations, theses, and projects are generally divided into two separate groups; those that are published and those that are unpublished. In most cases, published projects are those that are available in a database, a university archive, or a personal website. 

Skallet, S. (2016). Environmental approval duration estimating model for improved linear energy construction project schedules  (Publication No.

10125148)  [Master's capstone project, The College of St. Scholastica]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. 

Author: Skallet, S.

Begin the reference with the author's last name first. then, add the initials for the author's first and middle names (if a middle name or middle initial is provided). add a period after each initial, and if there is a middle initial, add a space between the initials.     year of publication: (2016)..

Next, in parentheses, add the year of publication, which appears on the title page or the title page verso (back side of title page). Follow the parentheses with a period.   

Title & Subtitle of the Book:  Environmental approval duration estimating model for improved linear energy construction project schedules  (Publication No. 10125148) [Master's capstone project, The College of St. Scholastica].

Next, add the title and subtitle (if there is a subtitle) of the capstone, final applied project, thesis, or dissertation. Separate the title and subtitle with a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle and all proper nouns. Italicize the title. Do NOT add a period after the title.

After the title, in parentheses, add the publication number (normally found in the record of the project within ProQuest). Before the publication number put "Publication No." Do NOT add a period after the parentheses. 

After the publication number, add brackets with the type of project (Master's thesis, Master's capstone project, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Use the language described by the degree-granting institution to describe the project. Then, add a comma and the name of the institution. Add a period after the brackets.      

Source Information: ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. 

Complete the reference with the commercial database where you found the masters thesis/project. end with a period.    more information:  .

For more information on Master's Theses/Projects, see Section 10.6 on pages 333-334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition.

 (Skallet, 2016)

Skallet (2016) argued ...

Dissertation Published Online

Adame, A. (2019). Fully immersed, fully present: Examining the user experience through the multimodal presence scale and virtual reality gaming

variables [Master's thesis, California State University San Bernardino]. CSUSB ScholarWorks Electronic Theses, Projects, &

Dissertations.  https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/918/

Author: Adame, A. 

Begin the reference with the author's last name first. Then, add the initials of the author's first and middle names (if a middle name or middle initial is provided). Add a period after each initial, and if there is a middle initial, add a space between the initials. 

Year of Publication: (2019). 

Next, in parentheses, add the year of publication, which appears on the title page or the title verso page (back side of the title page). Follow the parentheses with a period. 

Title & Subtitle of the Book: Fully immersed, fully present: Examining the user experience through the multimodal presence scale and virtual reality gaming variables [Master's thesis, California State University San Bernardino]. 

Next, add the title and subtitle (if there a subtitle present) of the thesis or project. Separate the title and subtitle with a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle as well as proper nouns. Italicize the title and subtitle. Do NOT add a period after the title. Instead, after the title, add brackets with the type of project (Master's thesis, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Use the language described by the degree-granting institution to describe the project. Then, add a comma and the name of the institution. Add a period after the brackets.   

Source Information: CSUSB ScholarWorks Electronic Theses, Projects, & Dissertations.  https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/918/

Complete the reference with the name of the website or archive where you found the project. After the name of the website or archive, add a period. Then, add the URL to the project. 

For more information about Master's Theses or Projects, see Section 10.6 on page 333 and example 66 on page 334 in the APA Manual, 7th edition. 

(Adame, 2019)

Adame (2019) distinguished between ...

  • << Previous: Magazine Article
  • Next: Movies & Streaming Video >>
  • Last Updated: Jul 2, 2024 9:40 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.css.edu/APA7thEd
  • Thesis Action Plan New
  • Academic Project Planner

Literature Navigator

Thesis dialogue blueprint, writing wizard's template, research proposal compass.

  • Why students love us
  • Rebels Blog
  • Why we are different
  • All Products
  • Coming Soon

How to Cite a Master's Thesis in APA Style

How to Cite a Master's Thesis in APA Style

Citing a master's thesis in APA style can be a daunting task, especially with the differences between the 6th and 7th editions. This guide aims to simplify the process by providing clear, step-by-step instructions on how to properly cite both published and unpublished theses, as well as those found in databases and institutional repositories. Whether you're dealing with multiple authors or navigating common citation mistakes, this article has got you covered.

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding the importance of proper citation in academic work.
  • Differences between APA 6th and 7th editions for citing master's theses.
  • Basic format and elements required for citing a master's thesis in APA style.
  • How to cite published, unpublished, and database-sourced master's theses.
  • Common mistakes to avoid and tools to help with APA thesis citations.

Understanding APA Style for Master's Theses

Importance of proper citation.

Proper citation is crucial in academic writing as it upholds academic integrity and allows readers to trace the origins of ideas and research. By citing sources accurately, you contribute to the scholarly conversation and avoid plagiarism.

Overview of APA Style Guidelines

APA style is a widely used format for writing and citing sources in the social sciences. It provides a standardized method for formatting papers and referencing sources, ensuring clarity and uniformity. The APA style guide covers various aspects, including in-text citations, reference lists, and the overall structure of academic papers.

Differences Between APA 6th and 7th Editions

The transition from APA 6th to 7th edition brought several changes. Notable differences include the use of singular 'they' as a gender-neutral pronoun, simplified citation formats, and updated guidelines for referencing online sources. Understanding these differences is essential for accurate citation in your thesis.

Basic Format for Citing a Master's Thesis in APA

When citing a master's thesis in APA style, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original author but also allows readers to locate the source material. The format varies slightly between the 6th and 7th editions of the APA style manual .

Citing Published Master's Theses

When citing a published master's thesis in APA style, it is essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. Published theses are those that have been made publicly available through a database, repository, or other platforms. The citation format for these works includes several key elements, such as the author's name, year of publication, title of the thesis, and the source where the thesis can be accessed. Below, we will explore the citation format and provide examples to illustrate the correct approach.

Citing Unpublished Master's Theses

When citing an unpublished master's thesis in APA style, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. Unpublished theses are typically sourced directly from the university in print form. The reference format for an unpublished thesis includes the author's name, the year of publication, the title of the thesis, and the name of the institution awarding the degree. This format helps in maintaining the credibility and traceability of the academic work.

Definition of Unpublished Theses

An unpublished master's thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for a master's degree that has not been formally published. These theses are often available in the university's library or institutional repository but are not distributed through commercial publishers.

Citation Format for Unpublished Theses

The standard format for citing an unpublished master's thesis in APA style is as follows:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the master's thesis [Unpublished master's thesis] . Name of the Institution awarding the degree.

For example:

Stewart, Y. (2000). Dressing the tarot [Unpublished master's thesis] . Auckland University of Technology.

Examples of Unpublished Thesis Citations

Here are a few examples to illustrate the correct format:

  • Aube, K. E. (2019). A comparison of water main failure prediction models in San Luis Obispo, CA [Unpublished master's thesis] . Cal Poly.
  • Johnson, L. M. (2018). The impact of social media on adolescent mental health [Unpublished master's thesis] . University of Michigan.
  • Smith, J. A. (2017). Renewable energy adoption in rural communities [Unpublished master's thesis] . University of California, Davis.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and professional, which is essential for academic integrity and avoiding academic dishonesty .

Citing Master's Theses from Databases

When citing a master's thesis from a database, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original author but also allows readers to locate the source material easily.

Citing Master's Theses from Institutional Repositories

When citing a master's thesis from an institutional repository, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original author but also allows readers to locate the source material easily. Institutional repositories are digital archives maintained by universities or research institutions, providing access to theses and dissertations.

Understanding Institutional Repositories

Institutional repositories serve as a valuable resource for accessing academic work, including master's theses. These repositories are typically managed by universities and provide a platform for students and researchers to share their work. By depositing their theses in these repositories, authors contribute to the academic community and ensure the preservation of their research.

Citation Format for Repository Theses

The citation format for a master's thesis from an institutional repository generally follows this structure:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the master's thesis (Master's thesis). Name of the University , City, Country. Retrieved from http://xxxxx

Key elements to include are:

  • Author's name
  • Year of publication
  • Title of the thesis
  • Type of thesis (Master's thesis)
  • Name of the university
  • Location of the university (City, Country)
  • URL of the repository

Examples of Repository Thesis Citations

Here are some examples to illustrate the correct format:

Smith, J. A. (2020). Exploring the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity (Master's thesis). University of Example, Example City, Example Country. Retrieved from http://example.com/thesis

Doe, M. B. (2018). An analysis of renewable energy policies in urban areas (Master's thesis). Example University, Example City, Example Country. Retrieved from http://example.com/thesis

Handling Multiple Authors in Thesis Citations

When citing a master's thesis with multiple authors in APA style, it's crucial to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. Rules for citing more than one author apply to all sources, regardless of format. This section will guide you through the process of handling multiple authors in your citations, providing clear examples and addressing special cases.

Rules for Multiple Authors

In APA 7th edition, you can list up to 20 authors in your reference. For works with more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors followed by an ellipsis (...) and then the final author's name. For example:

Watson, J. D., Crick, F. H., Franklin, R., Wilkins, M. H., Pauling, L., Chargaff, E., Avery, O. T., McCarty, M., MacLeod, C. M., Hershey, A. D., Chase, M., Meselson, M., Stahl, F. W., Kornberg, A., Lederberg, J., Jacob, F., Monod, J., Brenner, S., Benzer, S., ... Smith, J.

Examples with Multiple Authors

Here are some examples of how to cite a master's thesis with multiple authors:

Two authors:

Smith, J. A., & Doe, J. B. (2020). Title of the master's thesis (Master's thesis). University Name.

Three to twenty authors:

Smith, J. A., Doe, J. B., & Brown, C. D. (2020). Title of the master's thesis (Master's thesis). University Name.

More than twenty authors:

Smith, J. A., Doe, J. B., Brown, C. D., Johnson, E. F., White, G. H., Black, H. I., Green, J. K., Blue, L. M., Red, N. O., Yellow, P. Q., Orange, R. S., Purple, T. U., Pink, V. W., Gray, X. Y., Silver, Z. A., Gold, B. C., Copper, D. E., Bronze, F. G., Iron, H. I., ... Platinum, J. K. (2020). Title of the master's thesis (Master's thesis). University Name.

Special Cases in Multiple Author Citations

Special cases may arise when dealing with multiple authors. For instance, if the authors have the same last name, include their initials in all in-text citations to avoid confusion. Additionally, if an author is credited as "Anonymous," use "Anonymous" as the author's name.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are both accurate and compliant with APA style standards.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Thesis Citations

When citing a master's thesis in APA style, it's crucial to avoid common mistakes that can undermine the credibility of your work. Proper citation is essential for a polished thesis. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

Incorrect Formatting

One of the most frequent errors is incorrect formatting. Ensure that you follow the APA guidelines meticulously, including the use of italics for the thesis title and proper capitalization. Remember, only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns should be capitalized.

Omitting Essential Information

Another common mistake is omitting essential information such as the year of publication or the university name. Each element of the citation provides critical context for the reader, so make sure nothing is left out.

Misidentifying Thesis Types

It's important to correctly identify whether the thesis is published or unpublished, as this affects the citation format. Misidentifying the type can lead to incorrect citations, which can confuse your readers and detract from your work's credibility.

Tools and Resources for APA Thesis Citations

When it comes to citing a master's thesis in APA style, having the right tools and resources at your disposal can make the process significantly easier. Proper citation is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. Here are some essential tools and resources to help you navigate APA thesis citations effectively.

Navigating the complexities of APA thesis citations can be daunting, but with the right tools and resources, you can master it effortlessly. Our comprehensive guides and innovative worksheets are designed to simplify every step of your thesis journey. Don't let stress and uncertainty hold you back. Visit our website today and discover how our Thesis Action Plan can transform your academic experience.

In conclusion, citing a master's thesis in APA style requires careful attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines. Whether you are using the 6th or 7th edition of the APA manual, it is essential to follow the prescribed format to ensure accuracy and consistency in your references. By understanding the key elements such as author names, publication year, title, and source, you can effectively cite a master's thesis and contribute to the scholarly rigor of your work. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also enhances the credibility and reliability of your own research. As you navigate through the complexities of academic writing, remember that meticulous citation practices are a cornerstone of scholarly integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the basic format for citing a master's thesis in apa 7th edition.

The basic format for a master's thesis in APA 7th edition is: Author(s) of the thesis. (Year of publication). Title of the Master's thesis (Publication number) [Master's thesis, Name of the degree awarding institution]. Name of Platform. URL.

How do I cite an unpublished master's thesis in APA 7th edition?

For an unpublished master's thesis in APA 7th edition, use the following format: Author(s) of the thesis. (Year of publication). Title of the master's thesis [Unpublished master's thesis]. Name of the degree awarding institution.

What are the main differences between APA 6th and 7th editions for citing theses?

The main differences between APA 6th and 7th editions include changes in the number of authors listed, the inclusion of DOIs, and formatting for different types of sources. APA 7th edition allows up to 20 authors before using an ellipsis, whereas APA 6th edition allows only 7.

How do I cite a master's thesis from a database in APA style?

To cite a master's thesis from a database in APA style, include the following: Author(s) of the thesis. (Year of publication). Title of the master's thesis (Publication number) [Master's thesis, Name of the degree awarding institution]. Name of Database. URL or DOI.

What elements are essential in a master's thesis citation?

Essential elements in a master's thesis citation include the author(s), year of publication, title of the thesis, type of thesis (published or unpublished), degree awarding institution, and any relevant publication or database information.

How do I format multiple authors in a master's thesis citation?

For multiple authors in a master's thesis citation, list up to 20 authors in APA 7th edition, with an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. For more than 20 authors, list the first 19, followed by an ellipsis, and then the final author's name.

Can I use online citation generators for APA thesis citations?

Yes, online citation generators can be used for APA thesis citations. However, it's important to verify the generated citation against official APA guidelines to ensure accuracy.

What are common mistakes to avoid when citing a master's thesis in APA?

Common mistakes include incorrect formatting, omitting essential information such as the type of thesis or the degree awarding institution, and misidentifying whether the thesis is published or unpublished.

How Many References Should a PhD Thesis Include?

Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics: A Fun and Informative Guide

Unlocking the Power of Data: A Review of 'Essentials of Modern Business Statistics with Microsoft Excel'

Unlocking the Power of Data: A Review of 'Essentials of Modern Business Statistics with Microsoft Excel'

Discovering Statistics Using SAS: A Comprehensive Review

Discovering Statistics Using SAS: A Comprehensive Review

How to Deal with a Total Lack of Motivation, Stress, and Anxiety When Finishing Your Master's Thesis

How to Deal with a Total Lack of Motivation, Stress, and Anxiety When Finishing Your Master's Thesis

Confident student with laptop and colorful books

Mastering the First Step: How to Start Your Thesis with Confidence

Thesis Revision Made Simple: Techniques for Perfecting Your Academic Work

Thesis Revision Made Simple: Techniques for Perfecting Your Academic Work

Thesis Action Plan

Thesis Action Plan

Research Proposal Compass

Integrating Calm into Your Study Routine: The Power of Mindfulness in Education

How to determine the perfect research proposal length.

  • Blog Articles
  • Affiliate Program
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Payment and Shipping Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Return Policy

© 2024 Research Rebels, All rights reserved.

Your cart is currently empty.

American Psychological Association

Published Dissertation or Thesis References

This page contains reference examples for published dissertations or theses.

Kabir, J. M. (2016). Factors influencing customer satisfaction at a fast food hamburger chain: The relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty (Publication No. 10169573) [Doctoral dissertation, Wilmington University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.

Miranda, C. (2019). Exploring the lived experiences of foster youth who obtained graduate level degrees: Self-efficacy, resilience, and the impact on identity development (Publication No. 27542827) [Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University]. PQDT Open. https://pqdtopen.proquest.com/doc/2309521814.html?FMT=AI

Zambrano-Vazquez, L. (2016). The interaction of state and trait worry on response monitoring in those with worry and obsessive-compulsive symptoms [Doctoral dissertation, University of Arizona]. UA Campus Repository. https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/620615

  • Parenthetical citations : (Kabir, 2016; Miranda, 2019; Zambrano-Vazquez, 2016)
  • Narrative citations : Kabir (2016), Miranda (2019), and Zambrano-Vazquez (2016)
  • A dissertation or thesis is considered published when it is available from a database such as ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global or PDQT Open, an institutional repository, or an archive.
  • If the database assigns publication numbers to dissertations and theses, include the publication number in parentheses after the title of the dissertation or thesis without italics.
  • Include the description “Doctoral dissertation” or “Master’s thesis” followed by a comma and the name of the institution that awarded the degree. Place this information in square brackets after the dissertation or thesis title and any publication number.
  • In the source element of the reference, provide the name of the database, repository, or archive.
  • The same format can be adapted for other published theses, including undergraduate theses, by changing the wording of the bracketed description as appropriate (e.g., “Undergraduate honors thesis”).
  • Include a URL for the dissertation or thesis if the URL will resolve for readers (as shown in the Miranda and Zambrano-Vazquez examples).
  • If the database or archive requires users to log in before they can view the dissertation or thesis, meaning the URL will not work for readers, end the reference with the database name (as in the Kabir example).

Published dissertation or thesis references are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 10.6 and the Concise Guide Section 10.5

how to cite a master thesis

APA Style 6th Edition: Citing Your Sources

  • Basics of APA Formatting
  • In Text Quick View
  • Block Quotes
  • Books & eBooks
  • Thesis/Dissertation

Standard Format

Various examples.

  • Conference Presentations
  • Course Documents
  • Social Media
  • Government Documents
  • Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
  • Additional Resources
  • Sample Reference Page

Dissertation or thesis available from a database service:

Author Surname, First Initial. Second Initial. (year of publication).  Title of dissertation or thesis (Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis).  Retrieved from Name of database.  (Accession or Order No.)

For an unpublished dissertation or thesis:

Author Surname, First Initial. Second Initial. (year of creation).  Title of dissertation or thesis (Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis).  Name of Institution, Location.

Thesis, from a commercial database

Nicometo, D. N. (2015). (Order No. 1597712). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1717577238).

Dissertation, from an institutional database

Andrea, H. (2014). (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://etd.ohiolink.edu/

Unpublished master’s thesis

Curry, J.  (2016).  (Unpublished master’s thesis).  Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, CA.

See Ch 7 pp. 207-208 APA Manual for more examples and formatting rules

Formatting:

  • Italicize the title
  • Identify whether source is doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis in parentheses after the title
  • << Previous: Articles
  • Next: Websites >>
  • Last Updated: Sep 22, 2022 11:20 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/APA-citation-style

Ask A Librarian

  • Collections
  • Research Help
  • Teaching & Learning
  • Library Home

Chicago Citation Style Guide

  • Get Started With Chicago Style
  • Note-Bibliography Basics
  • Author-Date Basics
  • Citing Journal Articles
  • Citing Newspaper Articles
  • Citing Magazines
  • Citing Websites & Blogs
  • Sound Recordings
  • Radio Program (Podcast)
  • Broadcast Radio & TV
  • Video Recordings (DVD/VHS)
  • TV & Video (Web)
  • Images & Art
  • Reference Materials
  • Religious Texts
  • Legal & Government Documents

Theses & Dissertations

Citing a published thesis, citing an unpublished thesis, citing a thesis in online database or repository.

  • CMS 14.224: Theses and dissertations

Titles of unpublished works appear in "quotation marks"—not in italics . This treatment extends to theses and dissertations, which are otherwise cited like books.

The kind of thesis, the academic institution, and the date follow the title. Like the publication data of a book, these are enclosed in parentheses in a note but not in a bibliography.

If the document was consulted online, include a URL or, for documents retrieved from a commercial database, give the name of the database and, in parentheses, any identification number supplied or recommended by the database.

For dissertations issued on microfilm, see 14.120 . For published abstracts of dissertations, see 14.197 .

Note-Bibliography

First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," (Publisher, Year).

      Mihwa Choi, “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty,” PhD diss., (University of Chicago, 2008).

Short Note:

Last-name, "Title of Thesis."

Choi. “Contesting Imaginaires ."

Bibliography Entry:

Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Year.

Choi, Mihwa. “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty.” PhD diss. University      of Chicago, 2008.

Author-Date

Text Citation:

(Last-name Year)

(Mihwa 2008)

Reference Entry:

Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle."

Choi, Mihwa. 2008. “Contesting  Imaginaires  in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty.”  PhD diss.       University of Chicago.

Note -Bibliography

Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Unpublished thesis type, University. Year.

Barry C. Hosking, "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand," PhD diss., (Ghent University, 2010).

Note #. Last-name,"Title of Thesis."

Barry C. Hosking, "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes."

Bibliography:

Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Unpublished thesis type. University. Year.

Hosking, Barry C. "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand." PhD diss., Ghent University, 2010.

(Hosking 2010)

Last-name, First-name.  Year.  "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Unpublished thesis type. University.

Hosking, Barry C.    2010.  "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand." PhD diss., Ghent University.

Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Database Name (Identifier if given), Year, Internet address.

      12. Meredith Stewart, "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus, " Australasian Digital Theses Program (WMU2005.1222), 2005, http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.

Note #. Last-name, "Title of Thesis."

21. Stewart, "An Investigation into Aspects."

Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Database Name (Identifier if given), Year. Internet address.

Stewart, Meredith. "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus ." Australasian Digital Theses Program (WMU2005.1222),  2005. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.

(Stewart 2005)

Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle."  Database Name  (Identifier if given), Internet address.

Stewart, Meredith. 2005. "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus ." Australasian Digital Theses Program  (WMU2005.1222),    http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.

  • << Previous: Legal & Government Documents
  • Next: More Help >>
  • Last Updated: Feb 13, 2024 2:03 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.wvu.edu/chicago

East Carolina University Libraries

  • Joyner Library
  • Laupus Health Sciences Library
  • Music Library
  • Digital Collections
  • Special Collections
  • North Carolina Collection
  • Teaching Resources
  • The ScholarShip Institutional Repository
  • Country Doctor Museum

APA Citation Style, 7th Edition: Dissertations & Thesis

  • APA 6/7 Comparison Guide
  • New & Notable Changes
  • Student Paper Layout
  • Journal Article with One Author
  • Journal Article with Two Authors
  • Journal Article with Three or more Authors
  • Help?! I can't find the DOI
  • One Author/Editor
  • Two Authors/Editors
  • Chapter in a Book
  • Electronic Books
  • Canvas Posts & Class Discussion Boards
  • Datasets, Software, & Tests
  • Dissertations & Thesis
  • Government Websites & Publications, & Gray Literature
  • Infographic, Powerpoint, or other visual works
  • Legislative (US & State House & Senate) Bills
  • Podcast or other audio works
  • Social Media Posts
  • StatPearls, UpToDate, DynaMedex
  • YouTube or other streaming video
  • Citing the use of AI
  • Interviews & Emails
  • Magazine Articles
  • Newspaper Articles
  • Posters & Conference Sessions
  • Photographs, Tables, & PDF's
  • In-Text Citations & Paraphrasing
  • References Page
  • Free APA 7th edition Resources, Handouts, & Tutorials

Citing Dissertations & Theses in APA Format

Author Date Title (SOURCE) Institution (SOURCE) Database Name (SOURCE) URL
Author, A. A.  (2018).

[Unpublished master's thesis].

[Unpublished doctoral dissertation].

(Publication No. xx) [Doctoral dissertation, Name of Institution Awarding the Degree].

Name of Institution Awarding the Degree.

found in Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global).

Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global.

https://www.xx.xxxx

Dissertations & Theses

Dissertations and theses are formatted the same way in APA 7th edition. Theses are generally the culminating work for a master's or undergraduate degree and dissertations are often original research completed by doctoral students. Here are examples of a dissertation & a thesis, and how they would be formatted: 

Examples: 

Dissertation found in Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global: 

Reference:  

Banks, B. (2020). Addressing institutional racism in healthcare: A case study (Publication No. 28154307) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota]. Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global. 

In-Text Citation (Paraphrase):  

(Banks, 2020).

In-Text Citation (Direct Quote):

(Banks, 2020, p. 157).

Master's thesis from a University scholarship database: 

Sears, L. B. (2017). The public voice and sustainable food systems: Community engagement in food action plans [Unpublished master's thesis]. University of Kansas.  https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/handle/1808/26899  

In-Text Citation (Paraphrase):

(Sears, 2017). 

(Sears, 2017, p. 24). 

Carrie Forbes, MLS

Profile Photo

Pages Referenced

Citation information has been adapted from the APA Manual (7th Edition). Please refer to page 333 of the APA Manual (7th Edition) for more information.

Chat with a Librarian

undefined

Chat with a librarian is available during Laupus Library's open hours . 

Need to contact a specific librarian? Find your liaison.

Call us: 1-888-820-0522 (toll free)

252-744-2230

Text us: 252-303-2343

  • << Previous: Datasets, Software, & Tests
  • Next: Government Websites & Publications, & Gray Literature >>
  • Last Updated: Jul 26, 2024 2:47 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.ecu.edu/APA7

APA (7th Edition) Referencing Guide

  • Information for EndNote Users
  • Authors - Numbers, Rules and Formatting
  • In-Text Citations
  • Reference List
  • Books & eBooks
  • Book chapters
  • Journal Articles
  • Conference Papers
  • Newspaper Articles
  • Web Pages & Documents
  • Specialised Health Databases
  • Using Visual Works in Assignments & Class Presentations
  • Using Visual Works in Theses and Publications
  • Using Tables in Assignments & Class Presentations
  • Custom Textbooks & Books of Readings
  • ABS AND AIHW
  • Videos (YouTube), Podcasts & Webinars
  • Blog Posts and Social Media
  • First Nations Works
  • Dictionary and Encyclopedia Entries
  • Personal Communication
  • Theses and Dissertations

Theses and dissertations

  • Film / TV / DVD
  • Miscellaneous (Generic Reference)
  • AI software
  • APA Format for Assignments
  • What If...?
  • Other Guides
  • EscAPA7de - the APA escape room
  • One Minute Video Series (APA)

A thesis is an unpublished document produced by student as part of the requirements for the degree. They come at various levels (e.g. Honours, Masters, PhD, etc). Check with your lecturer before using a thesis for your assignment.

Format

Author, A. A. (Date). [Type of thesis, name of institution awarding degree]. Name of archive or site. URL

Author, A. A. (Date). [Type of thesis, name of institution awarding degree]. Database Name.

:

Author, A. A. (Date). [Type of thesis]. Name of institution awarding the degree. 

Author, A. A. (Date). [Unpublished type of thesis]. Name of institution awarding the degree. 

Examples [Doctoral thesis, James Cook University]. ResearchOnline@JCU. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/47533/

Hawkins, E. J. (1999). [Unpublished master's thesis]. James Cook University.

  • << Previous: Personal Communication
  • Next: Film / TV / DVD >>
  • Last Updated: Aug 23, 2024 2:01 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.jcu.edu.au/apa

Acknowledgement of Country

APA 7th Edition Citation Examples

  • Volume and Issue Numbers
  • Page Numbers
  • Undated Sources
  • Citing a Source Within a Source
  • In-Text Citations
  • Academic Journals
  • Encyclopedia Articles
  • Book, Film, and Product Reviews
  • Online Classroom Materials
  • Conference Papers
  • Technical + Research Reports
  • Court Decisions
  • Treaties and Other International Agreements
  • Federal Regulations: I. The Code of Federal Regulations
  • Federal Regulations: II. The Federal Register
  • Executive Orders
  • Charter of the United Nations
  • Federal Statutes

Format for dissertations and theses

Dissertations and theses database.

  • Interviews, E-mail Messages + Other Personal Communications
  • Social Media
  • Business Sources
  • PowerPoints
  • AI: ChatGPT, etc.

Author last name, first initial. (Year).  Title of dissertation/thesis  (Publication No.) [Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis, University]. Database. URL

  • Author:  List the last name, followed by the first initial (and second initial). See  Authors  for more information.
  • Year:  List the year between parentheses, followed by a period.
  • Title of dissertation/thesis:  In italics. Capitalize the first word of the title, subtitle, and proper nouns.
  • Publication number: Can be found in Dissertations and Theses database, listed in the item record as “Dissertation/thesis number.”
  • Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis:  List whether it is a dissertation or a thesis.
  • University:  List the university associated with the dissertation/thesis.
  • Database:  List database the dissertation/thesis was found in, if found in a database.
  • URL:  List URL if found on the free Web rather than in a database.

See specific examples below.

Dissertations:

Pecore, J. T. (2004). Sounding the spirit of Cambodia: The living tradition of Khmer music and dance-drama in a Washington, DC community  (Publication No. 3114720) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. 

Master's Theses:

Hollander, M. M. (2017). Resitance to authority: Methodological innovations and new lessons from the Milgram experiment   (Publication No. 10289373) [Master's thesis, University of Wisconsin - Madison]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

APA calls for the citation to include a unique identifying number for the dissertation, labeling it “Publication No.” That number can be found in Dissertations and Theses database, listed in the item record as “Dissertation/thesis number.”

Karamanos, X. (2020). The influence of professional development models on student mathematics performance in New Jersey public elementary schools [Doctoral dissertation, Seton Hall University]. Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2732

Bordo, V. C. (2011). Making a case for the use of foreign language in the educational activities of nonprofit arts organizations [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses & Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1311135640

Caprette, C. L. (2005). Conquering the cold shudder: The origin and evolution of snake eyes  [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University].

Angelova, A. N. (2004). Data pruning  [Master's thesis, California Institute of Technology].

See  Publication Manual , 10.6.

  • << Previous: Federal Statutes
  • Next: Images >>
  • Last Updated: Mar 18, 2024 12:55 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.umgc.edu/apa-examples

Fast and free citation generator APA 6th and 7th ed. • MLA 8th ed. • Chicago 16th ed.

  • Create Title Page
  • Style Guide
  • Manage Bibliographies

how to cite a master thesis

Mindfullness & COVID-19

  • General Format Rules
  • In-Text Citations
  • General Rules – Reference List
  • Encyclopedia & Dictionary
  • Government Publication
  • Social media
  • Dissertation/Thesis
  • Online Video
  • Audio/Podcast
  • Lecture notes

APA 6 Style Guide

Color Guide for Format
Blue textReplace with information from source
Purple bold textText required by the APA style
[Gray text in brackets]Tips

Thesis/Dissertation – APA Reference List

Capitalization.

  • The document title is in sentence case – Only the first word and proper nouns in the title are capitalized. Always capitalize the first word, the first word after a colon or a dash.
  • The title of the thesis or dissertation is in title case – Each word in the name is capitalized, except for articles (a, an, the), prepositions (against, between, in, of, to), conjunctions (and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet), and the infinitive 'to'.

Thesis/Dissertation – Unpublished/Print version

For papers written in United States list City and State. For countries outside United States list City and Country.

Author , A . A . ( Year ). Title of dissertation/thesis  (Unpublished doctoral dissertation [OR] Unpublished master's thesis). Academic Institution , City , State [OR] Country .

  • Considine, M. (1986). Australian insurance politics in the 1970s: Two case studies . (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Kassover,A. (1987). Treatment of abusive males: Voluntary vs. court-mandated referrals (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, FL. 

Thesis/Dissertation – From a commercial database (e.g., ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database)

Author , A ( Year ). Title of dissertation/thesis (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Name of database . ( Accession or Order Number )

Cooley, T. (2009).  Design, development, and implementation of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): The Hartford Job Corps Academy case study (Doctoral dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3344745)

Thesis/Dissertation – Institutional Database (i.e. University website)

For U.S. thesis do not include university or locations. Include the university and location (City and Country) for a non-U.S. online thesis.

Author , A . A . ( Year ). Title of dissertation/thesis (Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis). Retrieved from http:// url.com

  • Adams, R. J. (1973). Building a foundation for evaluation of instruction in higher education and continuing education (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/
  • Barua, S. (2010). Drought assessment and forecasting using a nonlinear aggregated drought index  (Doctoral dissertation, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia). Retrieved from http://vuir.vu.edu.au/1598

Thesis/Dissertation – Web

For U.S. thesis do not include locations. Include the location (City and Country) for a non-U.S. online thesis.

Author , A . A . ( Year ). Title of dissertation/thesis (Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis, Institution issuing degree). Retrieved from http:// www.url.com

  • Bruckman, A. (1997). MOOSE Crossing: Construction, community, and learning in a networked virtual world for kids (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Retrieved from http://www-static.cc.gatech.edu/~asb/thesis

how to cite a master thesis

how to cite a master thesis

Plagiarism Checker

Compare your paper to billions of pages and articles with Scribbr’s Turnitin-powered plagiarism checker.

Run a free check

how to cite a master thesis

AI Detector

Detect AI-generated content like ChatGPT3.5, GPT4 and Gemini in seconds

Try for free

how to cite a master thesis

Paraphraser

Rewrite and paraphrase texts instantly with our AI-powered paraphrasing tool.

how to cite a master thesis

Check your Citations

Improve your in-text citations and references for errors and inconsistencies using Scribbr's AI technology or human experts.

how to cite a master thesis

Grammar Checker

Eliminate grammar errors and improve your writing with our free AI-powered grammar checker.

how to cite a master thesis

AI Proofreader

Correct your document in minutes.

Upload my document

how to cite a master thesis

Proofreading & Editing

Have a human editor polish your writing to ensure your arguments are judged on merit, not grammar errors.

Get expert writing help

universalSourceForm.defaults.intro.title

universalSourceForm.overwrites.thesis.intro.text,universalSourceForm.defaults.intro.text

APA 6th Referencing Style Guide

  • APA referencing style
  • In-text citation
  • Reference list
  • TV, film & video
  • Tables, figures & images
  • Conferences

Thesis, dissertation or exegesis?

Theses and dissertations from online sources, theses and dissertations in hardcopy format.

  • Personal communications
  • Lecture notes
  • Social media
  • Computer software & mobile applications
  • Legislation & cases
  • Standards & patents
  • Specific health examples
  • Exhibition catalogue

Terminology

Thesis and dissertation can mean different things, depending on which institution the work is from.  For study purposes and for your APA reference you need to know the level of the work.

  • Always check the title page, or subsequent pages, to determine exactly what the work is
  • Use the information there for your APA reference

At Auckland University of Technology (and other NZ universities)

Thesis is either for a doctoral or a master's degree.

Dissertation is either for a master's or a bachelor's degree with honours.

Exegesis is the written component of a practice-based thesis where the major output is a creative work;  e.g. a film, artwork, novel.

In some other parts of the world such as North America, a dissertation may be for a doctoral degree and a thesis for a master's degree.  

See Section 7.05  in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition .

Reference format for a thesis from a commercial database:

Author, A. A. (date). (Doctoral dissertation or Master's thesis). Available from Name of database. (Accession or Order No.)

Reference format for a thesis from an institutional repository:

Author, A. A. (date). (Doctoral dissertation or Master's thesis, the name of the University, city, country). Retrieved from

A Doctoral dissertation (USA) from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database

Reference list entry:

Pflieger, J. C. (2009). in young adulthood (Doctoral dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database. (UMI No. 3371229)

  • Include the name of the database and the order number of the document
  • Use this style for theses retrieved from a commercial database

Thesis from a NZ institutional repository :

Thomas, R. (2009). (Doctoral thesis, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand). Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10292/466

  • Include the full URL for the thesis/dissertation and the full name of the degree-granting institution/university
  • Also include the location of the university, if outside the United States.

In-text citations guide  

Reference format for unpublished thesis/dissertation:

Author, A. A. (date). (Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master's thesis). Name of Institution, Location.

  • Give the correct full name of the university, not its abbreviation or brand name.

Knight, A. (2001). (Unpublished master's dissertation). Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.

  • << Previous: Conferences
  • Next: Personal communications >>
  • Last Updated: Apr 20, 2023 1:46 PM
  • URL: https://aut.ac.nz.libguides.com/APA6th

Home / Guides / Citation Guides / MLA Format / How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in MLA

How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in MLA

Citing a thesis or dissertation.

Thesis – A document submitted to earn a degree at a university.

Dissertation – A document submitted to earn an advanced degree, such as a doctorate, at a university.

The formatting for thesis and dissertation citations is largely the same. However, you should be sure to include the type of degree after the publication year as supplemental information. For instance, state if the source you are citing is an undergraduate thesis or a PhD dissertation.

MLA Thesis and Dissertation Citation Structure (print)

Last, First M.  Title of the Thesis/Dissertation. Year Published. Name of University, type of degree.

MLA Thesis and Dissertation Citation Structure (online)

Last, First M.  Title of the Thesis/Dissertation. Year Published. Name of University, type of degree.  Website Name , URL.

ThesisDissertationImage

Wilson, Peggy Lynn. Pedagogical Practices in the Teaching of English Language in Secondary Public Schools in Parker County . 2011. University of Maryland, PhD dissertation.

In-text Citation Structure

(Author Last Name page #)

In-text Citation Example

(Wilson 14)

MLA Formatting Guide

MLA Formatting

  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Bibliography
  • Block Quotes
  • et al Usage
  • In-text Citations
  • Paraphrasing
  • Page Numbers
  • Sample Paper
  • Works Cited
  • MLA 8 Updates
  • MLA 9 Updates
  • View MLA Guide

Citation Examples

  • Book Chapter
  • Journal Article
  • Magazine Article
  • Newspaper Article
  • Website (no author)
  • View all MLA Examples

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

MLA Citation Examples

Writing Tools

Citation Generators

Other Citation Styles

Plagiarism Checker

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started

Citation guides

All you need to know about citations

How to cite a master's thesis in Harvard

Harvard master's thesis citation

To cite a master's thesis in a reference entry in Harvard style include the following elements:

  • Author(s) of the master's thesis: Give the last name and initials (e. g. Watson, J.) of up to three authors with the last name preceded by 'and'. For four authors or more include the first name followed by et al., unless your institution requires referencing of all named authors.
  • Year of submission: Give the year in round brackets.
  • Title of the master's thesis: Give the title as presented in the source. Only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
  • Degree description: Type of degree.
  • Degree-awarding institution: Give the name of the institution.

Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a master's thesis in Harvard style:

Author(s) of the master's thesis . ( Year of submission ) Title of the master's thesis . Degree description . Degree-awarding institution .

Take a look at our reference list examples that demonstrate the Harvard style guidelines in action:

A master's thesis by one author

Bauger, L . ( 2011 ) Personality, Passion, Self-esteem and Psychological Well-being among Junior Elite Athletes in Norway . Master's Thesis . University of Tromsø .

An unpublished master's thesis

Aube, K. E . ( 2019 ) A comparison of water main failure prediction models in San Luis Obispo, CA . Unpublished master's thesis . Cal Poly .

harvard cover page

This citation style guide is based on the Cite Them Right (10 th edition) Harvard referencing guide.

More useful guides

  • Harvard Referencing: Theses
  • Referencing with Harvard: Thesis or dissertation
  • Citing and referencing: Theses/Dissertations

More great BibGuru guides

  • AMA: how to cite an honors thesis
  • MLA in-text citations with multiple authors
  • MLA: how to cite a 10-q report

Automatic citations in seconds

Citation generators

Alternative to.

  • NoodleTools
  • Getting started

From our blog

  • 📚 How to write a book report
  • 📝 APA Running Head
  • 📑 How to study for a test

Search Site

how to cite a master thesis

How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in APA

how to cite a master thesis

When you want to cite master thesis or dissertation, you may wonder how to cite a masters thesis in the American Psychological Association (APA) style. To cite master thesis or dissertation in APA style does not have to be a hassle for you. This article will be showing you step-by-step methods on how to cite and reference in APA style. So, keep reading.

How to Cite a Master’s Thesis: In-text Citation

When citing a master’s thesis, there are three ways to write this. Here they are:

  • Write Out the Year of Submission or Publication After the Author’s Name

When paraphrasing a piece of information or quoting the information directly from the thesis, make sure you write out the author’s surname and the year they submitted or published the thesis. For example, “According to John (2021), the media provides the best source of information.” or you could write, “According to John (2021), ‘The media is the best source of information.'”

  • Write out the Name and Year of the Author in Parentheses

Secondly, write out both the surname of the author and the year of submission in parentheses. Of course, before you do this, you must be using information from the thesis. First of all, write out your sentence and then end it with the author’s surname and the year they published their thesis. For example, “The media is the best source of information (John, 2021).”

  • Do Not Use Parenthesis

Sometimes, you may need to emphasize the year of publication or submission as this is necessary for what you are writing about. In such a case, there is no need for you to use parenthesis. For example, “In 2019, Bracknell stated that the media was corrupt and no longer trustworthy to be an accurate source of information. However, in 2021, John stated that the media and not social media was the best source of information.”

  • Write out the Page Number

When citing a master’s thesis, dissertation, or any other such academic writing, it is advisable that you put the page number if there is a direct quote. Sometimes, you may be summarizing the whole thesis and so, may not need a page number. However, to show that you read the thesis, it is important that you add a page number where you got your quote. To do this, put a comma after the submission or publication year and write “p.”. Make sure you write only “p.” if it is for one page but write “pp.” for two pages and more. Then follow this up with the number or numbers of the page or pages. For example, John (2021) p. 13, “Media is the best source of information.”

After you have completed your in-text citation, the next thing to do is write out your reference list in APA style.

Here is how:

  • Write out the Name of the Author

Always start with the surname of the author, then follow this with a comma and write out the initials of the author’s other names, putting a period after each initial. For example, John, O. T.

  • Put the Year in Parentheses

Next, write out the year of submission or publication in parentheses after writing out the author’s surname and initials. For example, John O. T. (2021).

  • Write out the Thesis Title

The next thing to do is to write out the title of the thesis. When writing this, make sure you do so in Italics. Also, make sure you write the first letter of the title and any other noun in capital letters. Furthermore, make sure to indicate that the thesis is unpublished by writing “unpublished” after the title. However, if it is not, then do not write anything. For example, John O. T. (2021) The benefit of the media to today’s world (Unpublished thesis).

  • Write out the Name and Place of the University

After the title, write out the name and place of the university. If it is an American university in the US, write out the city, separate with a comma, and write out the state. If the university is situated outside the US, write out the city, separate with a comma, and write out the name of the country.

For example, John O. T. (2021) The benefit of the media to today’s world (Unpublished thesis). San Francisco, California.

John O. T. (2021) The benefit of the media to today’s world (Unpublished thesis). London, United Kingdom.

  • Double-Check to Make Sure

After citing and referencing, double-check to make sure you did it the right way. No one is above making mistakes and that includes you. When you are sure that everything is fine, then you can turn in your work.

Now, you know how to cite a master’s thesis or dissertation using APA style. By simply following the guidelines in this article, you should arrive at your APA citation or referencing in no time.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

homepage

APA Citation Style

  • Getting Started
  • In-Text Citations
  • Instruction Videos

Author refers to the person or group responsible for the work. Here is a list of guidelines for formatting authors:

  • place the author(s) at the beginning of the citation
  • give the author(s) in inverted form (i.e., give the entire last name, then the first and middle initials)
  • do not include titles, positions, or ranks with names in reference entries (e.g., General, Reverend, President, or PhD)
  • provide last names and initials for first names of up to 20 authors
  • when there are two to 20 authors' names, use an ampersand before the final author's name
  • use a comma to separate an author's initials from additional author names, even when there are only two authors
  • for 21 or more authors, include the first 19 authors followed by an ellipsis, then include the last author's name

For more detailed guidelines, see the APA Publication Manual, 7th, ed., Ch. 9.8 Format of the Author Element

One author:

Goldman, C. (2018, November 28). The complicated calibration of love, especially in adoption.  Chicago Tribune ​​​​​​.

2 - 20 authors:

Ahmann, E., Tuttle, L. J., Saviet, M., & Wright, S. D. (2018). A descriptive review of ADHD coaching research: Implications for college students.  Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability .  31 (1), 17-39. https://www.ahead.org/professional-resources/publications/jped/archived-jped/jped-colume-31

21 or more authors:

Kalnay, E., Kanamitsu, M., Kistler, R., Collins, W., Deavan, D., Gandin. L., Iredell, M., Saha, S., White, G., Woolen J., Zhu, Y., Chellilah, M., Ebisuzaki, W., Janowiak, J., Mo, K. C., Ropelewski, C., Wang. J., Leetma, A.,...Joseph, D. (1996). The NCEP/NCAR 40-year reanalysis project. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 77(3), 437-471. https://doi.org/fg6rf9

  • << Previous: Reference Elements
  • Next: Date >>
  • Last Updated: Aug 29, 2024 4:42 PM
  • URL: https://westlibrary.txwes.edu/apa

American Psychological Association Logo

Preparing to defend your thesis from home

  • Degrees and Programs
  • Slides (PDF, 950KB)
  • Transcript (DOC, 41KB)

This content is disabled due to your privacy settings. To re-enable, please adjust your cookie preferences.

Due to COVID-19, defending your graduate thesis or dissertation in person is likely off the table. That doesn’t mean you have to wait to defend. Many schools and programs are allowing remote defenses — meaning you could find yourself defending from your living room! In this presentation, a recent psychology doctoral student that completed a remote defense, a current dean of psychology, and APA’s Office of Graduate and Postgraduate Education and Training, share how to prepare for and complete your thesis or dissertation defense remotely.

This program does not offer CE credit.

Alvin Akibar, PhD

Hideko Sera

Hideko Sera, PsyD

Garth Fowler

Garth Fowler, PhD

An associate executive director for education, and the director of the Office for Graduate and Postgraduate Education and Training at APA. He leads the directorate’s efforts to develop resources, guidelines, and policies that promote and enhance disciplinary education and training in psychology at the graduate and postdoctoral level.

More events and training

Learn where you should focus your marketing efforts, how to evaluate the performance of various online marketing strategies, and put yourself on a pathway towards sustained improvement in regards to online marketing.

October 2018 On Demand Webinar

Gain knowledge on potential ethical issues associated with marketing to clients. Tips and advice for building a personal website.

August 2018 On Demand Webinar

Use LinkedIn to find collaborators, post research and communicate with colleagues and students

COMMENTS

  1. How to cite a master's thesis in APA

    Year of publication: Give the year in brackets followed by a full stop. Title of the Master's thesis: Only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. Publication number: Give the identification number of the thesis, if available. Name of the degree awarding institution: Give the name of the institution.

  2. How to Cite a Dissertation in APA Style

    To cite an unpublished dissertation (one you got directly from the author or university in print form), add "Unpublished" to the bracketed description, and list the university at the end of the reference, outside the square brackets. APA format. Author last name, Initials. ( Year ).

  3. How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in APA

    Citing a published dissertation or thesis from a database. If a thesis or dissertation has been published and is found on a database, then follow the structure below. It's similar to the format for an unpublished dissertation/thesis, but with a few differences: Structure: Author's last name, F. M. (Year published).

  4. Thesis/Dissertation

    Thesis, from a commercial database. Lope, M. D. (2014). Perceptions of global mindedness in the international baccalaureate middle years programme: The relationship to student academic performance and teacher characteristics (Order No. 3682837) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland].ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

  5. Master's Thesis, Dissertation, or Capstone Project

    After the publication number, add brackets with the type of project (Master's thesis, Master's capstone project, doctoral dissertation, etc.) you are referencing. Use the language described by the degree-granting institution to describe the project. Then, add a comma and the name of the institution. Add a period after the brackets.

  6. APA Citations for a Thesis or Dissertation

    To cite a dissertation in APA, you need to include the author, year, title, publication number, thesis or dissertation, university, publisher, and URL. Depending on whether you use a published or unpublished dissertation, the order of the location information in your citation varies. Author, A. A. (Year).

  7. How to Cite a Master's Thesis in APA: Essential Tips and Examples

    Examples of Correct Citations. Here are some examples to illustrate the correct format for citing a master's thesis in APA style: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the master's thesis (Publication number) [Master's thesis, Name of the degree awarding institution]. Name of Platform.

  8. Theses and dissertations

    Auckland University of Technology (and other NZ universities) Thesis is either for a doctoral or a master's degree. Dissertation is either for a master's or a bachelor's degree with honours. Exegesis is the written component of a practice-based thesis where the major output is a creative work; e.g., a film, artwork, novel.

  9. How to Cite a Master's Thesis in APA Style

    Citing a master's thesis in APA style can be a daunting task, especially with the differences between the 6th and 7th editions. This guide aims to simplify the process by providing clear, step-by-step instructions on how to properly cite both published and unpublished theses, as well as those found in databases and institutional repositories.

  10. APA 7th Edition Citation Style Guide

    General Rule: Author, A. A. (year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master's thesis (Publication No. #) [Doctoral dissertation or master's thesis, Name of Institution Awarding the Degree].Name of Database. Example: Davis, P. M. (2010). Access, readership, citations: A randomized controlled trial of scientific journal publishing.

  11. Published Dissertation or Thesis References

    If the database assigns publication numbers to dissertations and theses, include the publication number in parentheses after the title of the dissertation or thesis without italics. Include the description "Doctoral dissertation" or "Master's thesis" followed by a comma and the name of the institution that awarded the degree.

  12. Thesis/Dissertation

    Dissertation or thesis available from a database service: Author Surname, First Initial. Second Initial. (year of publication). Title of dissertation or thesis (Doctoral dissertation or master's thesis). Retrieved from Name of database. (Accession or Order No.) For an unpublished dissertation or thesis: Author Surname, First Initial. Second ...

  13. Chicago Citation Style Guide

    Theses & Dissertations. CMS 14.224: Theses and dissertations. Titles of unpublished works appear in "quotation marks"—not in italics. This treatment extends to theses and dissertations, which are otherwise cited like books. The kind of thesis, the academic institution, and the date follow the title. Like the publication data of a book, these ...

  14. APA Citation Style, 7th Edition: Dissertations & Thesis

    In-Text Citation (Direct Quote): (Banks, 2020, p. 157). Master's thesis from a University scholarship database: Reference: Sears, L. B. (2017). The public voice and sustainable food systems: Community engagement in food action plans [Unpublished master's thesis]. University of Kansas.

  15. APA (7th Edition) Referencing Guide

    A thesis is an unpublished document produced by student as part of the requirements for the degree. They come at various levels (e.g. Honours, Masters, PhD, etc). Check with your lecturer before using a thesis for your assignment.

  16. How to cite a master's thesis in MLA

    To cite a master's thesis in a reference entry in MLA style 9th edition include the following elements: Author (s) name: Give the last name and name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by 'and' and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson).

  17. Dissertations and Theses

    Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis: List whether it is a dissertation or a thesis. University: List the university associated with the dissertation/thesis. ... APA calls for the citation to include a unique identifying number for the dissertation, labeling it "Publication No." That number can be found in Dissertations and Theses database ...

  18. Dissertation/Thesis

    Thesis/Dissertation - APA Reference List Capitalization. The document title is in sentence case - Only the first word and proper nouns in the title are capitalized. Always capitalize the first word, the first word after a colon or a dash. The title of the thesis or dissertation is in title case - Each word in the name is capitalized, except for articles (a, an, the), prepositions ...

  19. Cite a Thesis / Dissertation

    Thesis Paper AI Proofreader Essay Checker PhD dissertation APA editing Academic editing College admissions essay Personal statement English proofreading Spanish, French, or German About our services Proofreading services Paper Formatting Proofreading & editing example Essay coaching example Happiness guarantee

  20. Library Guides: APA 6th Referencing Style Guide: Theses

    For study purposes and for your APA reference you need to know the level of the work. At Auckland University of Technology (and other NZ universities) Thesis is either for a doctoral or a master's degree. Dissertation is either for a master's or a bachelor's degree with honours. Exegesis is the written component of a practice-based thesis where ...

  21. How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in MLA

    Citing a Thesis or Dissertation. Thesis - A document submitted to earn a degree at a university.. Dissertation - A document submitted to earn an advanced degree, such as a doctorate, at a university.. The formatting for thesis and dissertation citations is largely the same. However, you should be sure to include the type of degree after the publication year as supplemental information.

  22. How to cite a master's thesis in Harvard

    To cite a master's thesis in a reference entry in Harvard style include the following elements:. Author(s) of the master's thesis: Give the last name and initials (e. g. Watson, J.) of up to three authors with the last name preceded by 'and'. For four authors or more include the first name followed by et al., unless your institution requires referencing of all named authors.

  23. How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in APA

    To cite master thesis or dissertation in APA style does not have to be a hassle for you. This article will be showing you step-by-step methods on how to cite and reference in APA style. So, keep reading. How to Cite a Master's Thesis: In-text Citation. When citing a master's thesis, there are three ways to write this. Here they are:

  24. Author

    place the author(s) at the beginning of the citation; give the author(s) in inverted form (i.e., give the entire last name, then the first and middle initials) do not include titles, positions, or ranks with names in reference entries (e.g., General, Reverend, President, or PhD) provide last names and initials for first names of up to 20 authors

  25. Preparing to defend your thesis from home

    Cite This Presentation. Comment: Due to COVID-19, defending your graduate thesis or dissertation in person is likely off the table. That doesn't mean you have to wait to defend. Many schools and programs are allowing remote defenses — meaning you could find yourself defending from your living room! In this presentation, a recent psychology ...