Course notes count as unpublished material in APA style, so you cite them differently than published books or journal articles
When you cite course notes in APA format, you are citing unpublished material created by your instructor. APA treats unpublished course notes as personal communications or classroom materials, which means the citation goes in your text only—not in your reference list. The format depends on whether the notes are handouts, lecture recordings, or materials posted to a learning platform like Canvas or Blackboard.
The core rule is straightforward: include the instructor's name, the course name, the institution, and the date you accessed or received the material. You do not need a full reference entry at the end of your paper, but you do need enough information in the text that a reader could theoretically track down the same notes.
Key Takeaways
- Course notes are cited in the text only, not in the reference list, because they are unpublished classroom material.
- Include the instructor's name, course title, institution name, and the date you received or accessed the notes.
- If the notes are posted on a learning platform or website, include the URL or platform name so readers know where to find them.
- Lecture recordings follow the same rule as written notes—cite them in text with the instructor name, course, date, and platform.
- Always ask your instructor whether they allow you to cite their notes; some instructors prefer you to cite the textbook or original source instead.
How to format notes from a classroom handout or lecture
If your instructor gave you printed notes or you took notes during a lecture, cite them this way in your text:
(Instructor Last Name, personal communication, Month Date, Year)
For example: (Smith, personal communication, September 15, 2024). This tells the reader that you received the information directly from the instructor on that date. The phrase "personal communication" signals that this is unpublished material you obtained in class.
If you want to include the course name to make it clearer, you can add it before the date: (Smith, personal communication in Biology 101, September 15, 2024). This is optional but helpful if you took multiple courses from the same instructor.
How to cite notes posted on Canvas, Blackboard, or a course website
When your instructor posts notes on a learning platform or course website, you still cite them as unpublished material, but you add the platform or URL so a reader knows where to find them:
(Instructor Last Name, Year, p. page number) [lecture notes on Canvas/Blackboard/course website]
For example: (Johnson, 2024, p. 3) [lecture notes on Canvas] or (Johnson, 2024) [lecture notes posted at www.example.edu/course]. The year tells the reader when the material was created, and the platform name or URL shows where it lives.
If the notes have a specific title—such as "Chapter 3: Photosynthesis Notes"—include that in brackets instead: (Johnson, 2024) [Photosynthesis notes, Canvas]. This makes it easier for someone to search for the exact document.
How to cite lecture recordings
Lecture recordings are treated the same way as written notes. Cite them in text with the instructor's name, the year, and the platform where the recording is stored:
(Instructor Last Name, Year) [lecture recording on Panopto/Zoom/YouTube]
For example: (Martinez, 2024) [lecture recording on Panopto]. If the recording has a specific title or date that differs from when you accessed it, include the recording date: (Martinez, 2024, September 10) [lecture recording on Panopto].
Do not include a timestamp in your citation unless you are referring to a specific moment in the recording. If you do cite a particular section, you can add it in parentheses: (Martinez, 2024, 15:30–16:45) [lecture recording on Panopto] to show the reader exactly where to find the information.
When to ask your instructor before citing their notes
Some instructors do not want you to cite their lecture notes directly. Instead, they expect you to read the textbook or original research and cite that source. Before you submit your paper, check your course syllabus or ask your instructor whether citing their notes is acceptable.
If your instructor prefers you to cite the original source, use the notes only to understand the concept, then find and cite the textbook chapter, journal article, or book that the instructor was teaching from. This approach is common in upper-level courses where instructors want you to engage with primary sources rather than rely on their summaries.
Difference between citing notes and citing the source material
Course notes are often summaries or explanations of material from a textbook or research paper. If you use an idea or fact from the notes, you have two choices: cite the notes themselves, or find the original source and cite that instead.
Citing the notes is faster and acceptable if your instructor allows it. Citing the original source is more rigorous and shows that you read the primary material. If you are unsure which approach your instructor prefers, ask before you write. Many instructors will tell you that citing the textbook is preferred because it shows you did the reading yourself.
If you do cite the original source instead of the notes, you do not mention the notes at all in your paper. You cite only the book, article, or other published material where the information originally came from.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common error is putting course notes in your reference list. They do not belong there because they are unpublished. Your reference list should contain only published sources—books, journal articles, websites, and other materials that are publicly available. Course notes are cited in the text only.
Another mistake is forgetting to include the date. Without a date, the reader cannot tell when you received the notes or verify that they are current. Always include the month and year (or at least the year) in your citation.
Do not assume all instructors allow note citations. Some require you to cite the textbook or original source instead. Checking your syllabus or asking your instructor takes one minute and prevents you from losing points on your paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I put course notes in my reference list?
No. Course notes are unpublished material and are cited in the text only. Your reference list contains only published sources like books, journals, and websites. If you cite notes in your text, nothing appears in the reference list for that citation.
What if I do not remember the exact date I received the notes?
Use the date the notes were created or posted, which is usually visible on the document or the course platform. If you cannot find a date, use the semester or year: (Smith, Fall 2024). If you truly cannot determine any date, contact your instructor and ask.
Can I cite notes from a classmate instead of the instructor?
Technically yes, but it is not ideal. Cite them as (Classmate Name, personal communication, Date). However, your instructor may prefer that you cite the course material directly or ask the instructor for their own notes. Check your syllabus first.
What if the instructor posted notes but did not write them—they are from the textbook publisher?
If the notes are from a publisher or textbook company, cite the textbook or original source instead, not the notes. The instructor is just sharing published material, so you should cite the published version to give credit to the actual author.
Do I need to ask permission to cite my instructor's notes?
You do not need formal permission, but it is good practice to check your syllabus or ask whether your instructor allows note citations. Some instructors prefer you to cite the textbook or original source. A quick email asking takes seconds and shows respect for their preferences.