How to Cite a Dissertation or Thesis in CSE (8th edition)
Learn how to cite doctoral dissertations and master's theses in CSE format (8th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
CSE Reference List Format
Here is the standard CSE format for citing a dissertation or thesis in your reference list:
CSE Example for a Dissertation or Thesis
A complete CSE reference for a dissertation or thesis, formatted by the official CSE CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Vasquez E. 2022. Reading practices in the digital archive [Doctoral dissertation] [Internet]. [place unknown]: State University. https://www.example.org/theses/vasquez
Matching in-text citation: (Vasquez 2022)
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your dissertation or thesis.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the CSE (8th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match CSE requirements.
Evidence and review notes
Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.
CSL style record: cse.csl
Metadata to collect
- author
- title
- degree type (doctoral dissertation or master's thesis)
- awarding institution
- year the degree was awarded
- database or repository name and identifier
- URL
Common metadata traps
- State whether the work is published in a database or repository or is unpublished; the formats differ.
- Use the year the degree was awarded, not the date the file was uploaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a dissertation or thesis in CSE?
- To cite a dissertation or thesis in CSE (8th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the CSE format for a dissertation or thesis citation?
- The CSE format for a dissertation or thesis is: Vasquez E. 2022. Reading practices in the digital archive [Doctoral dissertation] [Internet]. [place unknown]: State University. https://www.example.org/theses/vasquez
- What does the in-text citation look like for a dissertation or thesis in CSE?
- In CSE, the in-text citation for the example above is (Vasquez 2022)
Generate This Citation Automatically
Skip the manual formatting. Paste a DOI, URL, or ISBN into CitationEasy and get a perfectly formatted CSE citation in seconds.
Cite in CSE Now →Generate this citation
Paste a URL, DOI, ISBN, or the source details and get a finished CSE citation for a Dissertation or Thesis.
Open the Thesis & Dissertation Citation Generator →Bibliography Studio
Saved citations build a full bibliography in the Studio