How do I cite an online course in CSE?

To cite an online course in CSE (8th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What does the in-text citation look like for an online course in CSE?

In CSE, the in-text citation for the example above is (Instructor Year)

How to Cite an Online Course in CSE (8th edition)

Learn how to cite online courses and MOOCs (Coursera, edX, Udemy, FutureLearn) 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 an online course in your reference list:

Instructor AA. Year. Title of the course [Internet]. Platform; [cited Year Mon Day]. Available from: URL

CSE Example for an Online Course

A complete CSE reference for an online course, formatted by the official CSE CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Duarte I. 2024. Academic writing for graduate students. OpenLearn [Internet]. [accessed 2026 Jan 10]. https://www.example.org/courses/academic-writing

Matching in-text citation: (Duarte 2024)

CSE In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(Instructor Year)

Narrative

Instructor (Year) explains...

Key CSE Formatting Rules

Abbreviate the instructor's first names to initials.
Add the [Internet] tag after the course title.
Include [cited Year Mon Day] for the access date.
Use 'Available from:' before the URL.

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 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.

CSL style record: cse.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an online course in CSE?: To cite an online course 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 an online course citation?: The CSE format for an online course is: Instructor AA. Year. Title of the course [Internet]. Platform; [cited Year Mon Day]. Available from: URL
What does the in-text citation look like for an online course in CSE?: In CSE, the in-text citation for the example above is (Instructor Year)