How to cite an undergraduate thesis in MLA

MLA undergraduate thesis citation

To cite an undergraduate thesis in a reference entry in MLA style 9th edition include the following elements:

  1. Author(s) name: Give the last name and name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by ‘and’ and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson). For three or more authors, list the first name followed by et al. (e. g. Watson, John, et al.)
  2. Thesis title: Titles are italicized when independent. If part of a larger source add quotation marks and do not italize.
  3. Year of publication: Give the year of publication as presented in the source.
  4. University: Give the name of the institution.
  5. Degree: Type of degree.

Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of an undergraduate thesis in MLA style 9th edition:

Author(s) name. Thesis title. Year of publication. University, Degree.

Take a look at our works cited examples that demonstrate the MLA style guidelines in action:

Examples

A bachelor thesis with two authors

Parekh, Pooja, and Vitalina Pishchenko. Factors Influencing the Choice of Bank – An International Student Perspective. 2013. Dalarna U, Bachelor's thesis.

An undergraduate thesis with one author

Baslow, Wadim. The applicability of the Qualitative System Analysis as decision-making tool in public administration by the example of the municipality Ludwigsburg. 2015. Leuphana U of Lüneburg, Undergraduate thesis.

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