How to Cite an Online Course in PLOS (current)
Learn how to cite online courses and MOOCs (Coursera, edX, Udemy, FutureLearn) in PLOS format (current). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
PLOS Reference List Format
Here is the standard PLOS format for citing an online course in your reference list:
PLOS Example for an Online Course
A complete PLOS reference for an online course, formatted by the official PLOS CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
1. Duarte I. Academic writing for graduate students. In: OpenLearn [Internet]. OpenLearn; 2024 [cited 10 Jan 2026]. Available: https://www.example.org/courses/academic-writing
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 PLOS (current) 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 PLOS 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: plos.csl
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite an online course in PLOS?
- To cite an online course in PLOS (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the PLOS format for an online course citation?
- The PLOS format for an online course is: 1. Duarte I. Academic writing for graduate students. In: OpenLearn [Internet]. OpenLearn; 2024 [cited 10 Jan 2026]. Available: https://www.example.org/courses/academic-writing
- What does the in-text citation look like for an online course in PLOS?
- In PLOS, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]
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