How to cite a dissertation or thesis in APA 7

References and in-text citations for dissertations and theses

This guide explains how to create the APA reference and in-text citations for an unpublished dissertation or thesis, a database work, or a work published in an open repository.

A bracketed description identifies the degree and the institution that awarded it when required.

Structure for a repository work

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation or thesis [Doctoral dissertation or Master's thesis, University]. Repository Name. URL

For an unpublished work, use a description such as [Unpublished doctoral dissertation] and place the university in the source. For a limited-circulation database work, include its publication number when one exists and the database name.

Online thesis example

The details and address are illustrative.

Reference

Pardo, N. C. (2023). Reading habits and university persistence [Master's thesis, Central Valley University]. CVU Institutional Repository. https://example.com/theses/pardo-2023

Parenthetical citationThe source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024).

(Pardo, 2023)

Narrative citationThe author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024).

Pardo (2023)

Repository, database, or university

• Use the repository and URL for a work that is publicly available online.
• Include a database such as ProQuest when the work is available only through that specialized database.
• End an unpublished dissertation or thesis reference with the university name.
• Preserve the degree description used by the institution rather than assigning a different level.

More dissertation and thesis examples

All publication details are illustrative.

Unpublished doctoral dissertation

Reference

Beltran, M. P. (2022). Feedback processes in doctoral programs [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Central National University.

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Beltran, 2022)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Beltran (2022)

Unpublished master's thesis

Reference

Rincon, A. L. (2023). Collaborative writing in online courses [Unpublished master's thesis]. Open Regional University.

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Rincon, 2023)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Rincon (2023)

Dissertation in a specialized database

Reference

Salazar, J. M. (2021). Independent learning and university persistence (Publication No. 30124567) [Doctoral dissertation, Northern University]. Global Dissertations and Theses Database.

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Salazar, 2021)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Salazar (2021)

How to check the reference

• You identified whether the work is published or unpublished.
• You included the degree and university in brackets when required.
• You named the repository or database that makes the work retrievable.
• You used a stable public URL when one exists.
• The citation contains the author's surname and year.

Return to the APA reference types.