Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
Our guide provides a ranking of the top online Ph.D. in education degrees to help prospective students choose the best fit for their career goals.
Updated September 6, 2022
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An online Ph.D. in education may suit students who enjoy classroom teaching or prefer the field's administrative aspects. Educators help students develop their potential and learning style through cooperative learning, teamwork, projects, and individual work. Educational administrators provide direction and day-to-day management of educational institutions, including preschools and colleges. A doctoral education degree meets qualifications for both roles.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, postsecondary education administrators and postsecondary teachers both earn higher than average salaries. The BLS projects 8% and 12% respective growth for these jobs during 2020-2030.
Ph.D. in Education Frequently Asked Questions
Is a ph.d. in education worth it.
Yes, though it depends on students' career trajectories and preferences. Mid-career education professionals wanting to advance their salary may consider pursuing a Ph.D. in education.
What can you do with a Ph.D. in education?
An online Ph.D. in education satisfies the educational requirements for high-paying senior educational leadership positions. Graduates pursue careers as educational administrators, superintendents, and researchers. They can also work as college professors.
How long does it take to get a Ph.D. in education?
Ph.D. students pursuing an education degree full time spend about three years to earn a degree. The program involves two years of classes as well as research and a dissertation. However, program length can vary by school and students' enrollment status.
What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a doctorate?
"Doctorate" refers to an umbrella term for a degree or rank. A Ph.D. falls under the doctorate category.
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Why Get a Degree in Education?
Students can apply education theory and put it into practice with a Ph.D. in education. Learning these practices gives students credibility, upward mobility, and the technical expertise needed to specialize in the field.
A Ph.D. in education offers students the potential for high earnings. The highest-paid postsecondary education administrators earn almost $200,000 annually. However, salary depends on career choice and the type of educational institution where graduates choose to work.
Ph.D. students who opt for an online education degree can benefit from lower costs, classroom flexibility, and access to faculty. Students and faculty communicate through email, instant messaging, and video chat.
How Much Does an Education Degree Cost?
Online education degrees often cost less than on-campus programs. However, an online Ph.D. in education varies in cost. Tuition, books, online registration, and other fees might cost several thousands of dollars per year.
Tuition makes up the largest percentage of the cost of getting an online education degree. Learners should compare costs among online schools before committing to one institution. Online degree -seekers save on transportation expenses, school supplies, and housing.
Prospective students may want to research other opportunities to reduce debt. Many schools support doctoral students through tuition waivers and stipends.
How Much Do Education Graduates Make?
According to the BLS, postsecondary education administrators earn annual median salaries of $97,500. Postsecondary teachers earn a median salary of $80,560 annually.
An online Ph.D. in education, a terminal degree, offers the highest level of education in the field. However, learners may need to tap into continuing education and certifications to advance their careers and salary.
Specific specializations within a Ph.D. program may offer more lucrative opportunities. A Ph.D. in education with a specialization in education policy can lead to a role as a public policy analyst. Specializations include counseling education, curriculum studies, and educational linguistics.
Courses in Education
Learners typically complete about two years of coursework. They also complete research projects, exams, and a dissertation. Some programs may require an individualized research practicum, research assistantship, or a faculty research project.
Degree-seekers gain research and analytical skills. They can align their studies with their research interests and professional goals through specializations. Options include curriculum and instruction , educational psychology, and leadership.
Not all programs offer every course. The three listed below represent a sample curriculum.
Higher Education History and Philosophy
Leadership and organizational theory, advanced educational psychology, certifications and licensure for education.
The following certifications and licensures enable students to become education leaders. Each credential features various requirements, including licensure exams. Students should learn their state's specific requirements.
Scholarships for Education
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in education qualify for various scholarships from companies and professional organizations. Learners can also apply for institutional grants and scholarships.
Online Ph.D. in Education 2022
#1 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
Ball State University
- Online + Campus
Ball State University offers in-person doctorate programs on its campus in Muncie, Indiana, as well as online programs. Working professionals take advantage of the flexible program to earn their degree around their other commitments.
Pursuing a doctorate requires a large time commitment. students take required classes, pass exams, and write a research-based dissertation.
Ball State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accrediting body.
Ball State University Numbers:
Average Price After Financial Aid: $13,533
Percentage of Learners Awarded Financial Aid: 91%
Percentage of Students Awarded Loans: 56%
Student Admission Rate: 77%
Transfer Credits Toward Degree: No
#2 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
East Tennessee State University
- Johnson City, TN
Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, East Tennessee State University enrolls students as a public institution. The school offers an online doctorate in . The doctoral program builds on the student's prior knowledge to strengthen advanced skills.
An online doctorate can help students pursue an advanced degree while maintaining a full-time job. Students considering the program can reach out to a faculty advisor to learn about any in-person requirements.
The terminal degree in childhood education prepares graduates for leadership roles in their field. Doctoral students typically complete their degree within five years. Graduates work in academic, research, or practice careers after completing the program.
East Tennessee State University Numbers:
In-state Graduate Tuition: $8,640
Out-of-state Graduate Tuition: $23,760
Admission Rate: 86%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15-to-1
#3 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
Hampton University
- Hampton, VA
An online doctoral degree from Hampton University helps professionals advance their careers and pursue new opportunities. Employers value the graduate-level education and training of the doctor of philosophy in counselor education and supervision.
Students may receive credit for hands-on learning opportunities, such as internships. The institution's website provides details about how to earn credit for graduate-level experiential learning. To prepare for careers, degree-seekers can participate in networking events through student organizations.
The school holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, a regional accrediting body.
Hampton University Facts:
Students Awarded Financial Aid: 96%
Students Receiving Loans: 66%
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Awards Transfer Credits: No
#4 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
Indiana State University
- Terre Haute, IN
Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, Indiana State University offers on-campus and online programs as a public institution. The doctor of philosophy in educational administration trains graduates for advanced careers through a flexible learning format. The doctoral program builds on the student's prior knowledge to strengthen advanced skills.
A doctorate requires intensive studies. The online learning format helps graduate students balance school with other responsibilities. Doctoral students often arrange to complete in-person activities in their local areas.
As the terminal degree in , a doctorate represents the highest level of education in the field. Doctoral students generally spend 3-6 years earning their degree. After earning a doctorate, graduates work in academia, research, and practice.
Indiana State University Facts:
Total Online Doctoral Programs: 4
In-state Graduate Tuition: $7,542
Out-of-state Graduate Tuition: $14,814
Admission Rate: 90%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1
#5 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
Liberty University
- Lynchburg, VA
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers on-campus and online programs as a private institution. The school offers online doctoral programs in many academic and professional subjects, including a Ph.D. in education. Prospective applicants can contact the program for more information about admission requirements and start dates.
While a doctorate requires intensive study, the online format helps students balance their degree with other responsibilities. Students considering the program can reach out to a faculty advisor to learn about any in-person requirements.
A doctoral degree, the highest level of education builds expert-level knowledge. Most doctoral programs require 4-6 years of study, though the length varies depending on the program and the student's enrollment option. The degree leads to opportunities in academia, research, and practice.
Liberty University Numbers:
Total Online Doctoral Programs: 9
Graduate Tuition: $7,980
Average Cost per Credit: 750
Admission Rate: 51%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17-to-1
#6 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
Regent University
- Virginia Beach, VA
Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Regent University offers on-campus and online programs as a private institution. Regent provides a flexible route to a doctorate in education. Prospective applicants can learn more about start dates, doctoral tracks, and admission requirements by contacting the program.
The online learning format helps doctoral students complete an advanced degree while working full time. Doctoral students often arrange to complete in-person activities in their local areas.
Doctoral students typically spend 4-6 years in school.
Regent University Facts:
Total Online Doctoral Programs: 12
Graduate Tuition: $15,552
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 29-to-1
#7 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
Ph.D. in curriculum studies and teacher education students receive valuable knowledge and training for their careers.
Texas Tech University may award credit for internships and service-learning experiences. Students can explore the school’s website to learn how to earn credit for internships and graduate-level hands-on learning opportunities. Degree-seekers can join student organizations to network with other students and access professional development opportunities.
Texas Tech University has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Texas Tech University at a Glance:
Grad Tuition Rate: $5,958 in-state; $13,428 out-of-state
Number of Online Master's Programs: 14
Online Doctorate Programs Offered: 1
#8 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
Union Institute & University
- Cincinnati, OH
A private institution, Union Institute & University welcomes degree-seekers to its main campus in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school offers an online doctorate in interdisciplinary studies. Prospective applicants should contact the program to learn more about the admission requirements.
An online doctorate can help students pursue an advanced degree while maintaining a full-time job. The school offers academic advising, library access, and career counseling for distance-learning doctoral students.
A doctoral degree, the highest level of education in interdisciplinary studies, builds expert-level knowledge. Doctoral students generally earn their degree in 3-6 years. Graduates pursue careers in academia, research, or practice.
Union Institute & University At a Glance:
Graduate Tuition: $14,652
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8-to-1
#9 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public college based in Denver, Colorado. The online Ph.D. in education and human development prepares doctoral students for advanced roles in their field. Prospective applicants should contact the program to learn more about the admission requirements.
Designed for full-time professionals, the program makes it easier to balance school with work. Online doctoral students can visit campus to meet with fellow students or to walk at graduation.
The terminal degree in education and human development, a doctorate prepares graduates for leadership roles in their field. Most doctoral students complete their degree within five years. The program prepares learners for careers in academia, research, and practice.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus At a Glance:
Total Online Doctoral Programs: 6
In-state Graduate Tuition: $6,786
Out-of-state Graduate Tuition: $22,590
Admission Rate: 67%
#10 Online Ph.D. In Education 2022
University of Northern Colorado
- Greeley, CO
University of Northern Colorado is a leader in e-learning. A doctoral degree from this school gives professionals the highest credential possible in their field.
Students first complete 1-3 years of coursework followed by dissertation research and exams. With a doctorate, graduates can pursue many different careers, including research and academic careers.
The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
University of Northern Colorado at a Glance:
Online Master's Programs Offered: 15
Number of Online Doctorate Programs: 3
Grad Tuition: $10,867 in-state; $19,620 out-of-state
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How to Survive Your PhD
About this course
You need to be smart to begin a PhD - but you need to be resilient to finish one. Between one-quarter and one-third of all research students never finish their degree. The PhD is an emotional journey as much as it is an intellectual one.
What kinds of emotions does the research degree process provoke? What strategies can help students deal with the emotional highs and lows? How can academic advisors, family and friends help research students cope with these stresses - and celebrate the successes?
This course is primarily designed for masters, PhD, and research students and the academics who are tasked with helping them, but you may also be a family member or friend of a PhD student who is seeking to better understand what your loved one is going through.
By directly addressing the emotional issues, and by helping us see the connections between emotional resilience and success, this course aims to help us all create a more supportive academic environment, where students can do their best research work.
At a glance
- Institution: ANUx
- Subject: Communication
- Level: Advanced
- Familiarity with the basic concept of research study (such as Honours, Masters, or PhD processes).
- Some insider knowledge of academic life and tertiary education is advantageous, but not essential.
- Language: English
- Video Transcript: English
What you'll learn
- Understand the common emotional experiences of research students and why they tend to have emotional issues in common.
- Discuss and create strategies and approaches to help research students cope with the emotional challenges of research study.
- Help academics and prospective academics become more effective research supervisors.
Week one: Setting the scene Prior research on research student success and failure shows that there are a range of common factors at play. We examine these factors and start to look at the causes. Week Two: A quick history of the doctorate To better understand how and research degree study can be so difficult we will take a brief tour back to the late middle ages and the birth of the university - as a place and an idea. Week Three: Confidence We take a look at confidence, in particular why some students have very little. We’ll explore the imposter syndrome and how we might counter it and then have a look at the risks of over confidence. Week Four: Frustration This week we look at frustration. Research can be very frustrating, but writing is perhaps the site of most of the frustration that students feel. We explore the nature of this frustration and how supervisors can make it better - or worse. Week Five: Loneliness Loneliness and isolation seems to be a common problem for research students - but how does it happen? We look at the difference between social isolation and intellectual isolation. We tackle the difficult problem of how much help a supervisor should really give a student. Week Six: Fear Research students are high achievers who often have an intense fear of failure. We look at two fears in particular - fear of writing and fear of speaking in public. Week Seven: Curiosity Good researchers are curious creatures! Curiosity is crucial to research, but what happens when curiosity gets out of control? This week we focus on the literature review as a site where curiosity can get out of control. Week Eight: Confusion Confusion is an inevitable part of the research degree process - but do research students get confused about the same sorts of things? Week Nine: Boredom A research degree usually involves a big project that takes place over an extended period of time. It’s inevitable that some students will get bored. But boredom is much more interesting than you might think! Week Ten: Love Do researchers always love their work? What about love for your supervisor - is that appropriate? If you truly love your discipline, how should you behave as a researcher? This week we look at Love - and it’s complicated.
About the instructors
Interested in this course for your business or team.
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- WriteAnswers
Q. How do I reference a PhD dissertation or MA thesis in APA style?
- 40 Academic writing
- 35 APA Style
- 32 APA Style: Formatting
- 107 APA Style: In-text citations
- 104 APA Style: References
- 17 Legal citations
- 15 Paraphrasing
- 10 Punctuation
- 24 Quotations
- 13 Writing Centre information
- 59 Writing Centre resources
Answered By: Theresa Bell (she/her/hers) Last Updated: Nov 04, 2021 Views: 58944
APA Style (7th ed.)
Unpublished print dissertations/theses retrieved from university
Author, A. (year). Title of dissertation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation OR master's thesis]. Name of Institution.
- In-text citation: (Author, year, p. X)
- See pages 333-334 in the APA Style manual for information and examples.
Published dissertation/thesis retrieved from online database
Dissertation
Author, A. (year). Title of dissertation [Doctoral dissertation, Name of Institution Granting Award]. Database Name.
Myers, S. (2018). In British Columbia's nature programs where hearts are rooted: A multiple case study of nature education in early childhood education [Doctoral dissertation, Royal Roads University]. Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global.
- In-text citation: (Myers, 2018, p. 45)
Author, A. (year). Title of thesis [Master's thesis, Name of Institution Granting Award]. Database Name.
Dawson, N. M. (2019). ła w eyasens gayułas: Ancestral teachings to reclaim the roles of Kwakwaka'wakw women in governance and leadership [Master's thesis, Royal Roads University]. Proquest Dissertations and Theses Global.
- In-text citation: (Dawson, 2019, p. 60)
Published dissertation/thesis retrieved from university archive or personal website
Author, A. (year). Title of thesis [Master's thesis, Name of Institution Granting Award]. URL of university archive or personal website
M a nuel, R. (2017). Like semaphore in the dark: There must be a better way to communicate [Master's thesis, Royal Roads University]. VIURRSpace. https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/17238/Manuel_royalroads_1313O_10623.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- In-text citation: (Manuel, 2017, p. 39)
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
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Terminology - Thesis, dissertation or exegesis?
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- Frequently asked questions
Thesis and dissertation can mean different things depending on where the degree is awarded. Always check the title page, or subsequent pages, to determine exactly what the work is and use the information for your reference.
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.
Other parts of the world
- In North America and some other countries, dissertation is used for a doctoral degree and thesis for a master's degree.
Theses available in a database, a university archive or from a personal website.
Reference format
Theses published online (e.g. in institutional repositories), theses from proquest dissertations and theses global.
Find how to cite in text on the In-text citation page.
Unpublished thesis or dissertations are usually sourced directly from the university in print form.
Reference format
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- Last Updated: Feb 22, 2023 2:04 PM
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Citation guides
All you need to know about citations
How to cite a PhD thesis in APA
- Google Docs
To cite a PhD thesis in a reference entry in APA style 6th edition include the following elements:
- Author(s) of the thesis: Give the last name and initials (e. g. Watson, J. D.) of up to seven authors with the last name preceded by an ampersand (&). For eight or more authors include the first six names followed by an ellipsis (…) and add the last author's name.
- Year of publication: Give the year in brackets followed by a full stop.
- Title of the PhD thesis: Only the first letter of the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
- URL: Give the full URL where the document can be retrieved from.
Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a PhD thesis in APA style 6th edition:
Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the PhD thesis (PhD thesis). Retrieved from URL
If the thesis is available from a database, archive or any online platform use the following template:
- Author(s) of the thesis: Give the last name and initials (e. g. Watson, J. D.) of up to 20 authors with the last name preceded by an ampersand (&). For 21 or more authors include the first 19 names followed by an ellipsis (…) and add the last author's name.
- Publication number: Give the identification number of the thesis, if available.
- Name of the degree awarding institution: Give the name of the institution.
- Name of Platform: Give the name of the database, archive or any platform that holds the thesis.
- URL: If the thesis was found on a database, omit this element.
Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a PhD thesis in APA style 7th edition:
Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the PhD thesis ( Publication number ) [PhD thesis, Name of the degree awarding institution ]. Name of Platform . URL
If the thesis has not been published or is available from a database use the following template:
- Location: Give the location of the institution. If outside the United States also include the country name.
Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the PhD thesis (Unpublished PhD thesis). Name of the degree awarding institution , Location .
If the thesis is not published, use the following template:
Author(s) of the thesis . ( Year of publication ). Title of the PhD thesis [Unpublished PhD thesis]. Name of the degree awarding institution .
APA reference list examples
Take a look at our reference list examples that demonstrate the APA style guidelines for a PhD thesis citation in action:
A PhD thesis found in an online platform
Confait, M. F . ( 2018 ). Maximising the contributions of PhD graduates to national development: The case of the Seychelles ( PhD thesis ). Retrieved from https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2060
Confait, M. F . ( 2018 ). Maximising the contributions of PHD graduates to national development: The case of the Seychelles [ PhD thesis , Edith Cowan University ]. Edith Cowan Online Repository . Retrieved from https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2060
An unpublished PhD thesis
Bowkett, D . ( 2015 ). Investigating the ligandability of plant homeodomains ( Unpublished PhD thesis ). University of Oxford , London, UK .
Bowkett, D . ( 2015 ). Investigating the ligandability of plant homeodomains [ Unpublished PhD thesis ]. University of Oxford .
This citation style guide is based on the official Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association ( 6 th edition).
More useful guides
- APA Referencing: Theses
- How do I reference a PhD dissertation or MA thesis in APA style?
- APA Citation Style: Theses and Dissertations
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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).
This guidance has been revised from the 6th edition.
Home / Guides / Citation Guides / APA Format / How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in APA
How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in APA
In this citation guide, you will learn how to reference and cite an undergraduate thesis, master’s thesis, or doctoral dissertation. This guide will also review the differences between a thesis or dissertation that is published and one that has remained unpublished. The guidelines below come from the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2020a), pages 333 and 334. Please note that the association is not affiliated with this guide.
Alternatively, you can visit EasyBib.com for helpful citation tools to cite your thesis or dissertation .
Guide Overview
Citing an unpublished thesis or dissertation, citing a published dissertation or thesis from a database, citing a thesis or dissertation published online but not from a database, citing a thesis or dissertation: reference overview, what you need.
Since unpublished theses can usually only be sourced in print form from a university library, the correct citation structure includes the university name where the publisher element usually goes.
Author’s last name, F. M. (Year published). Title in sentence case [Unpublished degree type thesis or dissertation]. Name of institution.
Ames, J. H., & Doughty, L. H. (1911). The proposed plans for the Iowa State College athletic field including the design of a reinforced concrete grandstand and wall [Unpublished bachelor’s thesis]. Iowa State University.
In-text citation example:
- Parenthetical : (Ames & Doughty, 1911)
- Narrative : Ames & Doughty (1911)
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:
- The institution is presented in brackets after the title
- The archive or database name is included
Author’s last name, F. M. (Year published). Title in sentence case (Publication or Document No.) [Degree type thesis or dissertation, Name of institution]. Database name.
Examples 1:
Knight, K. A. (2011). Media epidemics: Viral structures in literature and new media (Accession No. 2013420395) [Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Santa Barbara]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Trotman, J.B. (2018). New insights into the biochemistry and cell biology of RNA recapping (Document No. osu1523896565730483) [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses & Dissertations Center.
In the example given above, the dissertation is presented with a Document Number (Document No.). Sometimes called a database number or publication number, this is the identifier that is used by the database’s indexing system. If the database you are using provides you with such a number, then include it directly after the work’s title in parentheses.
If you are interested in learning more about how to handle works that were accessed via academic research databases, see Section 9.3 of the Publication Manual.
In-text citation examples :
- Parenthetical citation : (Trotman, 2018)
- Narrative citation : Trotman (2018)
Author’s last name, F. M. (Year Published). Title in sentence case [Degree type thesis or dissertation, Name of institution]. Name of archive or collection. URL
Kim, O. (2019). Soviet tableau: cinema and history under late socialism [Doctoral dissertation, University of Pittsburgh]. Institutional Repository at the University of Pittsburgh. https://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/37669/7/Olga%20Kim%20Final%20ETD.pdf
Stiles, T. W. (2001). Doing science: Teachers’ authentic experiences at the Lone Star Dinosaur Field Institute [Master’s thesis, Texas A&M University]. OAKTrust. https://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2001-THESIS-S745
It is important to note that not every thesis or dissertation published online will be associated with a specific archive or collection. If the work is published on a private website, provide only the URL as the source element.
In-text citation examples:
- Parenthetical citation : (Kim, 2019)
- Narrative citation : Kim (2019)
- Parenthetical citation : (Stiles, 2001)
- Narrative citation : Stiles (2001)
We hope that the information provided here will serve as an effective guide for your research. If you’re looking for even more citation info, visit EasyBib.com for a comprehensive collection of educational materials covering multiple source types.
If you’re citing a variety of different sources, consider taking the EasyBib citation generator for a spin. It can help you cite easily and offers citation forms for several different kinds of sources.
To start things off, let’s take a look at the different types of literature that are classified under Chapter 10.6 of the Publication Manual :
- Undergraduate thesis
- Master’s thesis
- Doctoral dissertation
You will need to know which type you are citing. You’ll also need to know if it is published or unpublished .
When you decide to cite a dissertation or thesis, you’ll need to look for the following information to use in your citation:
- Author’s last name, and first and middle initials
- Year published
- Title of thesis or dissertation
- If it is unpublished
- Publication or document number (if applicable; for published work)
- Degree type (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
- Thesis or dissertation
- Name of institution awarding degree
- DOI (https://doi.org/xxxxx) or URL (if applicable)
Since theses and dissertations are directly linked to educational degrees, it is necessary to list the name of the associated institution; i.e., the college, university, or school that is awarding the associated degree.
To get an idea of the proper form, take a look at the examples below. There are three outlined scenarios:
- Unpublished thesis or dissertation
- Published thesis or dissertation from a database
- Thesis or dissertation published online but not from a database
American Psychological Association. (2020a). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
American Psychological Association. (2020b). Style-Grammar-Guidelines. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/citations/basic-principles/parenthetical-versus-narrative
Published August 10, 2012. Updated March 24, 2020.
Written and edited by Michele Kirschenbaum and Elise Barbeau. Michele Kirschenbaum is a school library media specialist and the in-house librarian at EasyBib.com. Elise Barbeau is the Citation Specialist at Chegg. She has worked in digital marketing, libraries, and publishing.
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To cite a published thesis in APA style, it is important that you know some basic information such as the author, publication year, title of the thesis, institute name, archive name, and URL (uniform resource locator). The templates for an in-text citation and reference list entry of a thesis, along with examples, are given below:
In-text citation template and example:
Use the author surname and the publication year in the in-text citation.
Author Surname (Publication Year)
Cartmel (2007)
Parenthetical:
(Author Surname, Publication Year)
(Cartmel, 2007)
Reference list entry template and example:
The title of the thesis is set in sentence case and italicized. Enclose the thesis and the institute awarding the degree inside brackets following the publication year. Then add the name of the database followed by the URL.
Author Surname, F. M. (Publication Year). Title of the thesis [Master’s thesis, Institute Name]. Name of the Database. URL
Cartmel, J. (2007). Outside school hours care and schools [Master’s thesis, Queensland University of Technology]. EPrints. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/17810/1/Jennifer_Cartmel_Thesis.pdf
To cite an unpublished dissertation in APA style, it is important that you know some basic information such as the author, year, title of the dissertation, and institute name. The templates for in-text citation and reference list entry of an online thesis, along with examples, are given below:
Author Surname (Year)
Averill (2009)
(Author Surname, Year)
(Averill, 2009)
The title of the dissertation is set in sentence case and italicized. Enclose “Unpublished doctoral dissertation” inside brackets following the year. Then add the name of the institution awarding the degree.
Author Surname, F. M. (Publication Year). Title of the dissertation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Name of the Institute.
Averill, R. (2009). Teacher–student relationships in diverse New Zealand year 10 mathematics classrooms: Teacher care [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Victoria University of Wellington.
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Reference List: Other Print Sources
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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.
Note: This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style can be found here .
Important Note: Because the 7 th edition of the APA Publication Manual heavily emphasizes digital and electronic sources, it does not contain explicit instructions for certain less-common print sources that earlier editions covered. For this reason, some of the examples below have been adapted from the instructions for sources with similar attributes (e.g., the conference proceedings example is derived from the instructions the 7 th edition manual gives for citing edited collections). Every example below that has been adapted in this way is accompanied by a note explaining how it was adapted.
Please also note: While this resource contains many examples of citations for uncommon print sources that we think are helpful, it may not account for every possibility. For even more examples of how to cite uncommon print sources, please refer to the 7 th edition of the APA Publication Manual.
Entry in a Dictionary, Thesaurus, or Encyclopedia with a Group Author
The 7 th edition of the APA manual does not provide specific guidance on how to cite physical reference works such as dictionaries, thesauruses, or encyclopedias. Therefore, this citation, as well as the one for an individual author of an entry in a reference work, is modeled on that of a chapter in an edited book or anthology, both which are similar in format to reference works.
Institution or organization name. (Year). Title of entry. In Title of reference work (edition, page numbers). Publisher name.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (1997). Goat. In Merriam Webster’s collegiate dictionary (10 th ed., pp. 499-500). Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
Entry in a Dictionary, Thesaurus, or Encyclopedia with an Individual Author
Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of entry. In F. M. Lastname (ed.), Title of reference work (edition, page numbers). Publisher.
Tatum, S. R. (2009). Spirituality and religion in hip hop literature and culture. In T. L. Stanley (ed.), Encyclopedia of hip hop literature (pp. 250-252). Greenwood.
Work Discussed in a Secondary Source
Provide the source in which the original work was referenced:
Nail, T. (2017). What is an assemblage? SubStance , 46 (1), 21-37. http://sub.uwpress.org/lookup/doi/10.3368/ss.46.1.21
Note: Provide the secondary source in the references list; in the text, name the original work, and give a citation for the secondary source. For example, if Deleuze and Guattari’s work is cited in Nail and you did not read the original work, list the Nail reference in the References. In the text, use the following citation:
Deleuze and Guattari’s concept of the assemblage (as cited in Nail, 2017)….
Dissertation Abstract
The 7 th edition of the APA manual does not provide specific guidance on how to cite dissertation abstracts. Therefore, this citation models that of a journal article, which is similar in format.
Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of dissertation. Dissertation Abstracts International , Vol., Page.
Angeli, E. L. (2012). Networks of communication in emergency medical services. Dissertation Abstracts International, 74 , 03(E).
Dissertation or Master’s Thesis, Published
Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of dissertation/thesis (Publication No.) [Doctoral dissertation/Master’s thesis, Name of Institution Awarding the Degree]. Database or Archive Name.
Angeli, E. L. (2012). Networks of communication in emergency medical services (Publication No. 3544643) [Doctoral dissertation, Purdue University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Note: If the dissertation or thesis is not published in a database, include the URL of the site where the document is located.
Dissertation or Master’s Thesis, Unpublished
Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of dissertation/thesis [Unpublished doctoral dissertation/master’s thesis]. Name of Institution Awarding the Degree.
Samson, J. M. (2016). Human trafficking and globalization [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Federal or State Statute
Name of Act, Public Law No. (Year). URL
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Publ. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (2010). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/pdf/PLAW-111publ148.pdf
Report by a Government Agency or Other Organization
Organization Name. (Year). Title of report. URL
United States Government Accountability Office. (2019). Performance and accountability report: Fiscal year 2019 . https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/702715.pdf
Report by Individual Authors at Government Agency or Other Organization
Lastname, F. M., & Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of report . Organization Name. URL
Palanker, D., Volk, J., Lucia, K., & Thomas, K. (2018). Mental health parity at risk: Deregulating the individual market and the impact on mental health coverage . National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/Publications-Reports/Public-Policy-Reports/Parity-at-Risk/ParityatRisk.pdf
Conference Proceedings
The 7 th edition of the APA manual does not provide guidance on citing conference proceedings. Therefore, this citation models that of an edited collection, which is similar in format.
Lastname, F. M., & Lastname, F. M. (Eds.). (Year). Title of Proceedings . Publisher. URL (if applicable)
Huang, S., Pierce, R., & Stamey, J. (Eds.). (2006). Proceedings of the 24 th annual ACM international conference on the design of communication . ACM Digital Library. https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1166324&picked=prox
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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.
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APA Citations for a Thesis or Dissertation
Learn how to cite a dissertation and thesis in APA. Why? Because using doctoral dissertations and master’s theses is a useful way to bolster your research for your APA format school paper through current, timely topics. You can also get several examples to guide you through the rules for an APA 7 citation of a dissertation and thesis for your reference list.
How to Cite a Dissertation or Thesis in APA 7th Edition
The APA dissertation or thesis citation isn’t a one size fits all type of citation. The reason behind this is because APA offers a different format for a published and unpublished thesis or dissertation. However, you’ll need to include information like:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis (Publication number, if available) [Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, Institution]. Publisher, if available. URL, if available
- Italicize the title.
- Indicate that it is a doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis in parenthesis after the title.
- Provide the publication number listed in the database in parentheses, if it is available.
How to Cite a Published Dissertation or Thesis in APA
To cite a published dissertation in APA 7th edition, you need to include:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis (Publication number, if available) [Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis, Institution]. Publisher.
Published APA Dissertation Example
Gavinea, D. S. (2010). Exploration of DNA sequencing: Disassembling the Sequencing chain (Publication No. 1434728) [Doctoral dissertation, Wilmington University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database.
Example of a Published Thesis APA- No Publication Number
Brown, S. (2010). Westward expansion [Master’s thesis, Univesity of Florida]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database.
In-Text Citation for a Published Dissertation or Thesis in APA
(Gavinea, 2010)
How to Cite a Dissertation or Thesis in APA Published Online – Not on a Database
Some published dissertations aren’t found on a database, so you include the URL along with the publisher of the dissertation.
Citing a Dissertation in APA Found Online
Kilbourn, B. (2006). The qualitative doctoral dissertation proposal [Doctoral dissertation, University of Arizona]. UA Campus Repository. https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/23015/235645
How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation APA – Unpublished
An unpublished thesis or dissertation citation in APA is going to take a slightly different format. These do not have a publisher or a publication number. The basic format of an unpublished dissertation or thesis looks like:
Author, A. (Year). Title of the work [Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis]. Institution.
Unpublished Dissertation Example in APA
Castle, C. (2001). Interpreters, docents and educators: Ways of knowing, ways of teaching in a history museum, an art gallery, and a nature centre [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Toronto.
- The format for an unpublished dissertation or thesis at the master’s or doctoral levels can also be adapted for an undergraduate thesis.
- When the dissertation is found in an archive or database, follow the format for a published dissertation.
Information Needed for an APA Dissertation or Thesis Citation
Now that you’ve seen some basic examples, it’s time to look at where you find this information. When it comes to citing, you need to know whether it is a dissertation or thesis (it will say in the document). Secondly, you need to see if it is published or unpublished.
Where to Find APA Thesis and Dissertation Citation Information
Many graduate and postgraduate students submit their theses to subscription databases and institutional archives. Some even publish their work on their websites. Although there is a trend towards creating a portfolio rather than publishing a master’s thesis, there is still plenty of original material out there.
Some dissertation indexing and abstracting sources include Dissertations and Theses Global and ProQuest Dissertations . Usually, you have access to paid databases through your school and/or public library.
Difference Between a Published and Unpublished Dissertation
Knowing whether a dissertation or thesis is published or unpublished is a bit ticky. However, an unpublished dissertation or thesis is typically only available in your school library. In comparison, published dissertations offer more venues for access like databases and archives. Additionally, a published dissertation might also provide an indicator that it is in a published form.
Primary and Secondary Sources in a Thesis and Dissertation
Teachers prefer you to use as many primary sources as possible when creating a thesis or dissertation in APA format. Even so, it’s a good idea to incorporate secondary sources into your research. They guide you to authoritative sources . So, take the time to look through the reference list, works cited, or bibliography of secondary sources to find additional resources for your paper.
Vary Your APA Citations
Using a variety of sources makes the research process more enjoyable. Rather than just looking for accessible online sources, finding primary sources in doctoral and master’s theses shows off your research skills. Go further and read the abstracts of these sources to search for relevant sources quickly.
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FAQ APA Citations for a Thesis or Dissertation
How do you cite a dissertation in apa format.
To cite a dissertation in APA format, you need to know if it is published or unpublished. For a published dissertation in APA, you include the author, year, title, publication number, dissertation and university, and publisher. For an unpublished dissertation in APA, you include the author, year, title, unpublished dissertation, and university.
Can I cite a dissertation?
Yes, you can cite a dissertation in your APA research paper. Using dissertations and theses in your paper is encouraged because they offer recent information on timely topics.
How do you cite a dissertation in APA 7?
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). Doctoral dissertation or master's thesis title (Publication number) [Doctoral dissertation or master's thesis, Institution]. Publisher. URL
How do you cite a dissertation in APA 6th edition?
In the 6th edition of APA for a dissertation citation, you would include the UMI number rather than the publication number. Additionally, doctoral dissertation is in parenthesis rather than brackets. An example of an APA 6 citation looks like: Author, A. (Year). Title (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from database name. (UMI number)
How do you cite an unpublished paper?
To cite an unpublished master's thesis or doctoral dissertation in APA 7, you need to include the author, year, title, unpublished dissertation in brackets, and institution. This will look like: Author, B. B. (Year). Work title [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Institution.
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How to Cite a Dissertation or Thesis
Apa (7th ed).
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. Include a publication number after the title, if available. Use bracketed text with "Doctoral dissertation" or "Master's Thesis" (without quotes) and degree-granting institution, separated with a comma. Include the database or repository name. Only include a URL if no login is required. Read more on APA Style Online .
Doctoral dissertation with ProQuest publication number:
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.
Doctoral dissertation in an institutional repository:
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
Chicago (17th Ed. Notes & Bibliography)
Titles of theses and dissertations appear in quotation marks—not in italics; otherwise, they are 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. Only include a URL if there is no login required. If retrieved from a database, include the database title and publication number, if available. Read more at CMOS 17 Online, 14.215: Theses and Dissertations .
Shortened note:
Bibliography entry:
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Thesis/dissertation – chicago bibliography, general tips.
- Titles of unpublished works appear in quotation marks—not in italics. This treatment is applied to theses and dissertations.
Thesis/Dissertation Print
Last , First M . " Thesis/Dissertation Title ." PhD diss., [OR] Master's thesis , Academic institution , Year .
1. Mihwa Choi, "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty," (PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008).
2. Choi "Contesting Imaginaires".
Choi, Mihwa. "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty." PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008.
Thesis/Dissertation Commercial Database
For items retrieved from a commercial database, add the name of the database and an accession number following the facts of publication. This dissertation cited below is shown as it would be cited if it were retrieved from ProQuest's database for dissertations and theses.
Last , First M . " Thesis/Dissertation Title ." PhD diss., [OR] Master's thesis , Academic institution , Year . Database name ( accession number ).
Choi, Mihwa. "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty." PhD diss.,, University of Chicago, 2008. ProQuest (AAT 3300426).
Thesis/Dissertation Web
Last , First M . " Thesis/Dissertation Title ." PhD diss., [OR] Master's thesis , Academic institution , Year . http:// www.url.com
Johnson, Shakela Carion. "An Examination of the Social Characteristics and Beliefs of Delinquent and Non-Delinquent Youth." PhD thesis. Auburn University, 2007. http://search.proquest.com/docview/304897390?accountid=12528
1. Mihwa Choi, "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty," (PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008), ProQuest (AAT 3300426).
Choi, Mihwa. "Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty." PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008. ProQuest (AAT 3300426).
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Author, A. (year). Title of dissertation [Unpublished doctoral dissertation OR master's thesis]. Name of Institution. In-text citation: (Author
Reference format for unpublished thesis/dissertation: Author, A. A. (date). TItle of doctoral dissertation or master's thesis (Unpublished
Reference format ; Author, Date. Title ; Author, A. A., (Year). Title (Publication No. if present) [Doctoral dissertation/Doctoral thesis/Master's
How to cite a PhD thesis in APA · Author(s) of the thesis: Give the last name and initials (e. g. Watson, J. D.) of up to 20 authors with the last name preceded
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
What you need · Author's last name, and first and middle initials · Year published · Title of thesis or dissertation · If it is unpublished · Publication or document
Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of dissertation/thesis (Publication No.) [Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis, Name of Institution Awarding the Degree].
Citing an Unpublished Thesis ; Note: Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Unpublished thesis type, University. Year. ; Short
To cite a published dissertation in APA 7th edition, you need to include: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of doctoral dissertation or master's thesis (Publication
Include a publication number after the title, if available. Use bracketed text with "Doctoral dissertation" or "Master's Thesis" (without quotes) and degree-
Last, First M. "Thesis/Dissertation Title." PhD diss., [OR] Master's thesis, Academic institution, Year.