How to Cite an Online Course in ACS (4th edition)
Learn how to cite online courses and MOOCs (Coursera, edX, Udemy, FutureLearn) in ACS format (4th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
ACS Reference List Format
Here is the standard ACS format for citing an online course in your reference list:
ACS Example for an Online Course
A complete ACS reference for an online course, formatted by the official ACS CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
(1) Duarte, I. Academic writing for graduate students. OpenLearn. https://www.example.org/courses/academic-writing (accessed 2026-01-10).
Matching in-text citation: 1
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your online course.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the ACS (4th 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 ACS requirements.
Evidence and review notes
Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.
CSL style record: acs.csl
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite an online course in ACS?
- To cite an online course in ACS (4th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the ACS format for an online course citation?
- The ACS format for an online course is: (1) Duarte, I. Academic writing for graduate students. OpenLearn. https://www.example.org/courses/academic-writing (accessed 2026-01-10).
- What does the in-text citation look like for an online course in ACS?
- In ACS, the in-text citation for the example above is 1
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