How to Cite a Thesis/Dissertation in Chicago Manual of Style (Author-Date)
Learn the exact format with examples, in-text citations, and common mistakes to avoid.
Citation Format
Basic Template
(Author Year) Reference: Author. Year. "Thesis Title." Doctoral/Master's dissertation, University Name.
Citation Components
Author
Full name.
Year
Year completed.
Thesis Title
In quotation marks. Sentence case.
Degree Type
Doctoral dissertation or Master's dissertation or PhD thesis, etc.
University
Full name of institution.
Real-World Example
Example Source
Rodriguez, Elena Maria
2021
Biomarkers for early detection of neurodegenerative disease
Doctoral dissertation
University of California, San Francisco
Formatted Citation
Rodriguez, Elena Maria. 2021. "Biomarkers for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Disease." Doctoral dissertation, University of California, San Francisco.
In-Text Citation
(Rodriguez 2021)
(Author Year)
Common Mistakes
Wrong:
Rodriguez, E. M. (2021). "Biomarkers..." [Doctoral dissertation, UCSF].
Right:
Rodriguez, Elena Maria. 2021. "Biomarkers for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Disease." Doctoral dissertation, University of California, San Francisco.
Why: Use full first name, no parentheses for year, spell out university name fully.
Wrong:
Rodriguez, Elena Maria. 2021. Biomarkers for Early Detection. University of California.
Right:
Rodriguez, Elena Maria. 2021. "Biomarkers for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Disease." Doctoral dissertation, University of California, San Francisco.
Why: Include full thesis title in quotation marks and include 'Doctoral dissertation' designation.
Wrong:
Rodriguez, Elena. 2021. PhD thesis: Biomarkers. UCSF.
Right:
Rodriguez, Elena Maria. 2021. "Biomarkers for Early Detection of Neurodegenerative Disease." Doctoral dissertation, University of California, San Francisco.
Why: Use full name, quotation marks for title, proper degree designation, full university name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include the university location? ▼
Yes, include the full university name. Add city and state if it's a US university or country if international.
Can I cite an unpublished thesis? ▼
Yes, same format. The 'unpublished' status is implied by the thesis designation.
How do I distinguish between Master's and Doctoral dissertations? ▼
Specify: 'Master's dissertation' or 'Doctoral dissertation' or the specific degree (PhD thesis, MA thesis, etc.).
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