Dissertations & Theses

This page teaches you how to find dissertations and theses by topic and by specific title. It explains how to borrow a dissertations and theses if you cannot locate using the various search tools explored on this page. 

Search Steps (In Order of Best Case)

Option One: 

Start by going to ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I which is sometimes just called  Dissertations & Theses A&I.

Then use the main search bar, with no filters, and perform a keyword search

Option Two: 

Go to Google Scholar

Then search for the topic you're interested in using keywords

Option Three: 

Go to Start My Research

Perform a keyword search. 

Then filter by Content Type to only "Dissertation/Thesis"

Option Four: 

1. Go to the Digital Repositories Page on this Research Guide
2. Choose any of the options listed there and perform keyword searches

Option One: 

Start by going to ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I which is sometimes just called  Dissertations & Theses A&I.

Then use the main search bar, with no filters, and search the exact title you are looking for. 

If you are unsuccessful, try shorting the title or one of the search options below. 

Option Two: 

Go to Google Scholar

Then search the exact title you are looking for. 

If you get too many search results, put the title in quotation marks. 

Option Three: 

Go to Start My Research

Search by the exact title. 

Then filter by Content Type to only "Dissertation/Thesis"

Option Four: 

1. Go to the Digital Repositories Page on this Research Guide
2. Choose any of the options listed there and search by title

Borrowing Dissertations and Theses

Why borrow from another library or school?

• Some institutional repositories are not open to the public
• Some dissertations and theses are not deposited into institutional repositories
• Copyright restrictions can affect who has access to the paper

Open Access

Why is a dissertation or thesis not open access? 

• If an author has the rights to their work, then they can restrict access however they want
• Whoever owns the piece of writing or work can typically decide who gets access
  • An institution, department, or writer can choose to keep access limited to 
• Copyrighted materials aren't always available freely because of the copyright restrictions

What should you do when you find a dissertation or thesis you want that is not open access?

• Request the paper through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
  • This can help with restricted access due to copyright
• Email the writer
  • Many people who worked for that long and that hard to create a dissertation or thesis want to share it with anyone who is interested!
  • Don't be afraid to just reach out to them
• Go to the Ask Us department at the Auraria Library to see if they can help

Looking for a paper you can't find? 

Looking for your own paper and not finding it, start by checking with your program to make sure it was deposited in Digital Auraria. Then contact Auraria Library Digital and Special Collections.