How to Cite Dissertations & Theses in Chicago Style
Learn how to properly cite dissertations and theses using both Chicago citation systems.
Dissertation & Thesis Citation Overview
Dissertations and theses represent significant original research and are important sources in academic writing. Chicago style provides specific formats for citing these unpublished scholarly works, with considerations for access through databases or institutional repositories.
Dissertation Citation Elements
- • Author name
- • Title (in quotation marks)
- • Degree type (PhD diss., MA thesis, etc.)
- • Institution name
- • Year of completion
- • Database or URL (if accessed online)
- • ProQuest number (if applicable)
PhD Dissertations
Notes-Bibliography System
Footnote/Endnote:
1. Sarah Johnson, "Democratic Participation in Digital Age Communities" (PhD diss., Harvard University, 2022), 156-178.
Bibliography entry:
Johnson, Sarah. "Democratic Participation in Digital Age Communities." PhD diss., Harvard University, 2022.
Author-Date System
In-text citation:
(Johnson 2022, 156-178)
Reference list entry:
Johnson, Sarah. 2022. "Democratic Participation in Digital Age Communities." PhD diss., Harvard University.
Master's Theses
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. David Miller, "Historical Methodology in the Digital Era" (MA thesis, University of Chicago, 2023), 45-67.
Notes-Bibliography bibliography:
Miller, David. "Historical Methodology in the Digital Era." MA thesis, University of Chicago, 2023.
Author-Date reference list:
Miller, David. 2023. "Historical Methodology in the Digital Era." MA thesis, University of Chicago.
Dissertations from ProQuest Database
With ProQuest Number
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Susan Chen, "Educational Policy and Democratic Values in American Schools" (PhD diss., Stanford University, 2022), ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (28415926).
Notes-Bibliography bibliography:
Chen, Susan. "Educational Policy and Democratic Values in American Schools." PhD diss., Stanford University, 2022. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (28415926).
Author-Date reference list:
Chen, Susan. 2022. "Educational Policy and Democratic Values in American Schools." PhD diss., Stanford University. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (28415926).
With URL
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Robert Taylor, "Technology and Political Engagement in Modern Democracies" (PhD diss., Yale University, 2023), https://www.proquest.com/docview/2765432189.
Author-Date reference list:
Taylor, Robert. 2023. "Technology and Political Engagement in Modern Democracies." PhD diss., Yale University. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2765432189.
International Dissertations
UK Dissertation
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Jennifer Adams, "Parliamentary Democracy and Electoral Reform in Britain" (DPhil diss., Oxford University, 2022), 89-112.
Author-Date reference list:
Adams, Jennifer. 2022. "Parliamentary Democracy and Electoral Reform in Britain." DPhil diss., Oxford University.
German Dissertation
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Michael Brown, "Demokratie und Bildung in der Moderne" (Dr. phil. diss., Universität Berlin, 2023), 134-156.
Honors Theses and Undergraduate Research
Senior Honors Thesis
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Lisa Wilson, "Civic Education and Youth Political Engagement" (honors thesis, Williams College, 2023), 67-89.
Author-Date reference list:
Wilson, Lisa. 2023. "Civic Education and Youth Political Engagement." Honors thesis, Williams College.
Undergraduate Research Project
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Thomas Clark, "Local Government and Community Participation" (undergraduate research project, Carleton College, 2023), 23-45.
Dissertations from Institutional Repositories
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Patricia Williams, "Digital Democracy: Technology's Impact on Political Participation" (PhD diss., MIT, 2022), DSpace@MIT, https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/123456.
Author-Date reference list:
Williams, Patricia. 2022. "Digital Democracy: Technology's Impact on Political Participation." PhD diss., MIT. DSpace@MIT. https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/123456.
Joint or Collaborative Dissertations
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Maria Rodriguez and James Kim, "Comparative Educational Policies in Democratic Societies" (joint PhD diss., University of California, Berkeley, 2023), 178-201.
Author-Date reference list:
Rodriguez, Maria, and James Kim. 2023. "Comparative Educational Policies in Democratic Societies." Joint PhD diss., University of California, Berkeley.
Published Dissertations
Dissertation Published as Book
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Sarah Johnson, Democratic Participation in Digital Communities (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2023), originally presented as "Democratic Participation in Digital Age Communities" (PhD diss., Harvard University, 2022), 156-178.
Alternative approach (cite the book):
1. Sarah Johnson, Democratic Participation in Digital Communities (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2023), 156-178.
Dissertation Chapter Published as Article
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. David Miller, "Methodological Innovations in Historical Research," Journal of Historical Methods 45, no. 2 (2023): 234-256, adapted from "Historical Methodology in the Digital Era" (MA thesis, University of Chicago, 2023).
Citing Specific Chapters or Sections
Notes-Bibliography footnote:
1. Susan Chen, "Educational Policy and Democratic Values in American Schools" (PhD diss., Stanford University, 2022), chap. 3, "Teacher Training and Democratic Principles," 89-134.
Author-Date in-text:
(Chen 2022, chap. 3)
Unpublished vs. Published Dissertations
Key Distinction
- • Unpublished: Title in quotation marks, include "PhD diss." or "MA thesis"
- • Published: Title italicized, treat as a book with publisher information
- • Database access: Include ProQuest information or repository details
Common Dissertation Citation Mistakes
- • Wrong title formatting: Unpublished dissertations use quotation marks, not italics
- • Missing degree specification: Always include "PhD diss.," "MA thesis," etc.
- • Incomplete institution name: Use the full, official name of the university
- • Missing access information: Include ProQuest numbers or repository URLs
- • Confusing published vs. unpublished: Check whether the dissertation was later published as a book
- • Wrong date usage: Use the completion year, not the access year
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