How to Cite a Dissertation or Thesis in MLA (9th edition)
Learn how to cite doctoral dissertations and master's theses in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
MLA Works Cited Format
Here is the standard MLA format for citing a dissertation or thesis in your Works Cited page:
Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Dissertation. Year. Institution Name, PhD/MA dissertation.
MLA Example for a Dissertation or Thesis
A complete MLA reference for a dissertation or thesis, formatted by the official MLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Vasquez, Elena. Reading Practices in the Digital Archive. 2022, https://www.example.org/theses/vasquez. State University, Doctoral dissertation.
Matching in-text citation: (Vasquez)
MLA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Smith 45)
Narrative
Smith argues that...
Key MLA Formatting Rules
- Italicize the dissertation title.
- Give the year, then the institution and the degree type (PhD dissertation or MA thesis).
- For a dissertation from a database, add the database name and URL as a second container.
- Include the ProQuest or repository ID when available.
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 MLA (9th 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 Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA 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: mla.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- State whether the work is published in a database or repository or is unpublished; the formats differ.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.
Editorial sources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a dissertation or thesis in MLA?
- To cite a dissertation or thesis in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the MLA format for a dissertation or thesis citation?
- The MLA format for a dissertation or thesis is: Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Dissertation. Year. Institution Name, PhD/MA dissertation.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a dissertation or thesis in MLA?
- In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Smith 45)
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