How to Cite a Thesis or Dissertation in Chicago 17
Complete guide with footnote and bibliography examples for citing published and unpublished theses and dissertations in Chicago 17th edition.
Unpublished Thesis or Dissertation
Titles of theses and dissertations are placed in quotation marks, not italics. Include the degree type, institution, and year.
First Footnote
1. Firstname Lastname, “Title of Thesis” (PhD diss., University Name, Year), page(s).
Bibliography Entry
Lastname, Firstname. “Title of Thesis.” PhD diss., University Name, Year.
Example: Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation
First Footnote
1. Sophie Tremblay, “Social Media Use and Adolescent Identity Formation in Rural Quebec” (PhD diss., McGill University, 2025), 112.
Shortened Footnote
2. Tremblay, “Social Media Use,” 145.
Bibliography Entry
Tremblay, Sophie. “Social Media Use and Adolescent Identity Formation in Rural Quebec.” PhD diss., McGill University, 2025.
Published Dissertation (Database or Repository)
If the dissertation is available in a commercial database, include the database name and the identification number.
First Footnote
1. Mihwa Choi, “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty” (PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008), 15, ProQuest (AAT 3300426).
Bibliography Entry
Choi, Mihwa. “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty.” PhD diss., University of Chicago, 2008. ProQuest (AAT 3300426).
Thesis from an Institutional Repository
First Footnote
1. Ilya Vedrashko, “Advertising in Computer Games” (master’s thesis, MIT, 2006), 59, http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/39144.
Bibliography Entry
Vedrashko, Ilya. “Advertising in Computer Games.” Master’s thesis, MIT, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/39144.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the title be italicized or in quotation marks?
In Chicago style, thesis and dissertation titles are placed in quotation marks, not italics.
Do I need to include the department?
Including the department is optional but helpful. If included, place it before the university name.