How to Cite a Thesis/Dissertation in APA 7th Edition
Learn the exact format with examples, in-text citations, and common mistakes to avoid.
Citation Format
Basic Template
Author. (Year). Title of thesis [Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis, University Name]. URL or Database.
Citation Components
Author
Last, First Initial. format.
Year
Year the thesis was completed/published.
Thesis Title
Italicized. Sentence case (capitalize only first word and proper nouns).
Thesis Type
In brackets: [Doctoral dissertation, University] or [Master's thesis, University].
University Name
Full name of granting institution.
URL or Database
Include ProQuest URL or institutional repository link.
Real-World Example
Example Source
Patel, A. N.
2021
Neural mechanisms of learning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Doctoral dissertation
Stanford University
https://purl.stanford.edu/example
Formatted Citation
Patel, A. N. (2021). Neural mechanisms of learning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder [Doctoral dissertation, Stanford University]. https://purl.stanford.edu/example
In-Text Citation
(Patel, 2021)
(Author, Year)
Common Mistakes
Wrong:
Smith, J. (2021). Title Of Thesis in Title Case [Doctoral Dissertation, University Name].
Right:
Smith, J. (2021). Title of thesis in sentence case [Doctoral dissertation, University Name]. URL
Why: Thesis titles use sentence case and must be italicized. Use 'Doctoral dissertation' (not capitalized) in the bracket description and include a URL/DOI.
Wrong:
Smith, J. 2021. 'Title of Thesis.' Doctoral dissertation. University.
Right:
Smith, J. (2021). Title of thesis [Doctoral dissertation, University Name]. URL
Why: Include year in parentheses. Don't use quotation marks. Use the [Type, University] format in brackets.
Wrong:
Smith, J. (2021). Title of thesis. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University Name, City, State.
Right:
Smith, J. (2021). Title of thesis [Doctoral dissertation, University Name]. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Why: Remove 'Unpublished' designation and provide a URL/DOI. Use the bracket format for designation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a thesis that's not yet published or available online? ▼
You can still cite it with the institutional information: Author. (Year). Title [Doctoral dissertation, University Name]. Though it's recommended to wait for publication or archival in a repository.
Should I include the thesis advisor's name? ▼
No, APA format does not include the advisor's name in the citation. Only include it if the thesis was published as a book.
What's the difference between citing a dissertation and a master's thesis? ▼
The format is the same; just change [Doctoral dissertation, University] to [Master's thesis, University] accordingly.
Need to Generate a Citation?
Use our free APA 7th Edition citation generator tool to instantly format your citations.
Go to APA Citation Generator →Looking for other citation styles or source types?
View All Citation Guides →