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Open Access Theses and Dissertations

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About OATD.org

OATD.org aims to be the best possible resource for finding open access graduate theses and dissertations published around the world. Metadata (information about the theses) comes from over 1100 colleges, universities, and research institutions . OATD currently indexes 7,237,430 theses and dissertations.

About OATD (our FAQ) .

Visual OATD.org

We’re happy to present several data visualizations to give an overall sense of the OATD.org collection by county of publication, language, and field of study.

You may also want to consult these sites to search for other theses:

• Google Scholar
• NDLTD , the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations. NDLTD provides information and a search engine for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs), whether they are open access or not.
• Proquest Theses and Dissertations (PQDT), a database of dissertations and theses, whether they were published electronically or in print, and mostly available for purchase. Access to PQDT may be limited; consult your local library for access information.

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EBSCO Open Dissertations

EBSCO Open Dissertations makes electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) more accessible to researchers worldwide. The free portal is designed to benefit universities and their students and make ETDs more discoverable. 

Increasing Discovery & Usage of ETD Research

With EBSCO Open Dissertations, institutions are offered an innovative approach to driving additional traffic to ETDs in institutional repositories. Our goal is to help make their students’ theses and dissertations as widely visible and cited as possible.

EBSCO Open Dissertations extends the work started in 2014, when EBSCO and the H.W. Wilson Foundation created American Doctoral Dissertations which contained indexing from the H.W. Wilson print publication, Doctoral Dissertations Accepted by American Universities, 1933-1955. In 2015, the H.W. Wilson Foundation agreed to support the expansion of the scope of the American Doctoral Dissertations database to include records for dissertations and theses from 1955 to the present.

How Does EBSCO Open Dissertations Work?

Libraries can add theses and dissertations to the database, making them freely available to researchers everywhere while increasing traffic to their institutional repository.  ETD metadata is harvested via OAI and integrated into EBSCO’s platform, where pointers send traffic to the institution's IR.

EBSCO integrates this data into their current subscriber environments and makes the data available on the open web via opendissertations.org .

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Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD)

OATD.org provides open access graduate theses and dissertations published around the world. Metadata (information about the theses) comes from over 1100 colleges, universities, and research institutions. OATD currently indexes 6,654,285 theses and dissertations.

Open Access Theses and Dissertations

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The ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (PQDT) ™ database is the world's most comprehensive curated collection of multi-disciplinary dissertations and theses from around the world, offering over 5 million citations and 3 million full-text works from thousands of universities.

Within dissertations and theses is a wealth of scholarship, yet it is often overlooked because most go unpublished. Uncover new ideas and innovations with more confidence and efficiency. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global delivers a focused path for researchers by tapping into a global network of connected research.

Dissertation references can be a treasure trove for obscure topics, here students discover shorter works like articles.

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Disseminating graduate works since 1939, and is the largest editorially curated repository of dissertations and theses.

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ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) Global provides visibility of cutting-edge research from the world’s premier universities.

ProQuest’s vast collection of >5.5million post graduate dissertations and theses now discoverable on Web of Science

ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global with the Web of Science™ enables researchers to seamlessly uncover early career, post-graduate research in the form of more than 5.5 million dissertations and theses from over 4,100 institutions from more than 60 countries, alongside journal articles, conference proceedings, research data, books, preprints and patents.

The integration and introduction of the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Citation Index , eliminates the need for researchers to search multiple databases, allowing them to streamline their workflow and focus more on their academic success and research advancements.

To further enhance accessibility, direct full text linking from the Web of Science to the ProQuest platform is available for joint subscribers of the Web of Science and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Navigating ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Citation Index

DISCOVER unique scholarship

• Provides credible research on unique, niche, and trending topics, often not published elsewhere
• Provides access to global and diverse perspectives, helping to close diversity gaps in mainstream publishing channels
• Removes friction and obstacles from the research process by making full text available in one location
• Retrieves equitable search results, which places equal value on quality scholarship no matter where it is from

UNCOVER the value of dissertations

• Introduces users to new source types
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Success Story

Progressing STEM Studies with a Critical Primary Research Source

Author, Technologist, and Doctoral Student, Ida Joiner shares her story on leveraging dissertations to engage with current trends, cite a comprehensive foundation and build towards her own research goals.

Avoiding Bias by Starting at the Source

Dr. Terri D. Pigott, Ph.D., of the School of Public Health at the College of Education, Georgia State University, on Avoiding Bias by Starting at the Source.

Testimonials

Professor Terri Pigott Ph.D. discusses the expectations she presents to her students on meta-analysis and unbiased research requirements and how the use of ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global helps to ensure that comprehensive data sets are included in new research outputs.

Using Dissertations as a Primary Source

Student researcher and published author Ida Joiner discusses how she uses ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global as a core resource that helps her to build towards her own research goals.

Improving Diversity in Curriculum by Uncovering Unheard Voices

Psychology Professors and Research Scientists come together to build a course and write a supplemental text for Psychology curriculum emphasizing the dissertations by women of color prior to 1980, filling research gaps in the early history of psychology.

The Erasure of Drag Contribution in Performance History

Dr. Lady J, Ph.D., documents the historical impact, influence, contributions that drag performers have made to politics, music, film, fashion, and popular culture in her dissertation. Her goal is to document and make this history available for broad educational outreach.

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ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global is one of the most requested data-sets for text and data mining because of its broad historic to present-day coverage and deep and comprehensive data results found in the full-text records.  TDM Studio can be used alongside PQDT to easily and efficiently extract data and analyze it. See the list below for articles and projects published by scholars who used ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global data:

• TDM Studio ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Case Studies
• Mapping Research Trends with ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (Univ. North Carolina)
• Indiana University using Dissertations Data for Research
• ProQuest Dissertation Database Provides Critical Information for Research Projects Across the US
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Trends in the Evolution of Research and Doctoral Education

Bruce A. Weinberg, Ph.D., Professor of Economics and Public Affairs from The Ohio State University shares how text and data mining of ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global allows researchers to understand doctoral career trajectory patterns.

Improving Graduate Student Outcomes

Dr. Jearl (Ken) Helvey, Assistant Professor of Education – Doctoral Program at Texas Wesleyan University on how incorporating dissertations into the curriculum improved the doctoral student success at Texas Wesleyan University.

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Including dissertations and theses in ProQuest means amplifying your research by making it available in a unified repository

WUR Library

MSc theses online

MSc theses online is a collection of students' theses successfully defended at Wageningen University.

The database is updated daily. Most of the MSc theses are from 2010 onwards. Not all MSc theses are available in this database.

Use the searchbox below or go directly to MSc theses online .

In MSc theses online you'll find publicly available MSc students' theses defended at Wageningen University. Mostly from 2010 onwards.

Recent MSc theses

Collaborative semi-natural grassland management in matsalu national park, the potential of a hybrid integrated crop-livestock system as a more sustainable form of agriculture, exploring sustainable transition impact on public participation in tactical urbanism experiments in new zealand..

Collecting online MSc theses started in 2010. Therefore, most of the MSc theses in this collection have a publication date of 2010 or later. In some cases, e.g. embargo, the full text of a MSc thesis found in this repository is not yet available. To find more Wageningen University MSc theses, including older hard copies, use the WUR Library Search and search by title and/or author. WUR chair groups have different policies regarding the publication of student theses. Therefore not all MSc theses are available.

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Open Access Theses and Dissertations

Access is available to everyone, anywhere.

Indexes over 4 million graduate-level electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) freely available from over 1,100 institutions worldwide . Search for keywords from titles, author names, abstracts, subjects, university/publisher and more. Use More search options to limit searches to a particular field, language, and date range. The search results will include links to full-text theses/dissertations residing on the original hosting site, usually the institutional repository of the school that granted the degree.

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This collection of MIT Theses in DSpace contains selected theses and dissertations from all MIT departments. Please note that this is NOT a complete collection of MIT theses. To search all MIT theses, use MIT Libraries' catalog .

MIT's DSpace contains more than 58,000 theses completed at MIT dating as far back as the mid 1800's. Theses in this collection have been scanned by the MIT Libraries or submitted in electronic format by thesis authors. Since 2004 all new Masters and Ph.D. theses are scanned and added to this collection after degrees are awarded.

MIT Theses are openly available to all readers. Please share how this access affects or benefits you. Your story matters.

If you have questions about MIT theses in DSpace, [email protected] . See also Access & Availability Questions or About MIT Theses in DSpace .

If you are a recent MIT graduate, your thesis will be added to DSpace within 3-6 months after your graduation date. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Permissions

MIT Theses may be protected by copyright. Please refer to the MIT Libraries Permissions Policy for permission information. Note that the copyright holder for most MIT theses is identified on the title page of the thesis.

Theses by Department

• Comparative Media Studies
• Computation for Design and Optimization
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• Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
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• Department of Biological Engineering
• Department of Biology
• Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
• Department of Chemical Engineering
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
• Department of Economics
• Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences
• Department of Humanities
• Department of Linguistics and Philosophy
• Department of Materials Science and Engineering
• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
• Department of Ocean Engineering
• Department of Physics
• Department of Political Science
• Department of Urban Studies and Planning
• Engineering Systems Division
• Harvard-MIT Program of Health Sciences and Technology
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UBC Theses and Dissertations

Open collections, limit this search.

The UBC Theses and Dissertations collection promotes open and comprehensive access to a significant body of unique knowledge created by graduate students to support further research and for private study. The authors retain copyright ownership and moral rights to their theses. The content of theses and dissertations may not be re-purposed or exploited for commercial gain without the explicit permission of the authors. 

See Theses and Dissertations at cIRcle: Discovery and Use to learn more about finding and using openly available theses and dissertations in Open Collections. 

UBC graduate students began submitting their theses online via cIRcle, UBC’s digital repository, in fall 2007, a practice that both simplified the submission process and also ensured the availability of this research to a global audience in a timely manner. As of March 2012, UBC Library has digitized and made openly accessible the full-text of more than 32,000 theses submitted by graduate students between 1919 and 2007. In addition to providing information about specific fields of study these theses also reveal important information about changes in pedagogy at the University and within academic disciplines. Authors concerned about having their pre-2007 theses included as part of this collection can notify [email protected] to have their thesis removed. Similarly, if copyrighted material appears in a thesis the copyright owner can request that material be removed.

Browse Theses & Dissertations

• {[{degree.key}]} ({[{degree.doc_count}]})

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Master Thesis

Navigate the process of crafting a master thesis with our comprehensive guide, from topic selection to research and writing, culminating in your academic masterpiece.

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• Introduction
• What is a Master’s Thesis?
• Components of a Master’s Thesis
• Format of a Master’s Thesis
• Top 10 Tips to Write Your Thesis
• 8 Steps to Finding Your Thesis Topic

Are Thesis and Dissertation the Same?

What is a thesis and non-thesis master’s, additional resources.

Written By - Derick de Souza

If you are considering a master’s degree , you need to understand what a master’s thesis is and if you are required to write one. Most graduate programs give you the option of thesis and non-thesis tracks. 

The thesis is considered a summation of learned knowledge, allowing you to work on the challenges of your field. Depending on your chosen subject, it generally requires a good amount of research; you may need to conduct a primary or secondary study, conduct surveys and interviews, and meet other requirements. 

Most graduates are expected to spend much of their master’s program developing and writing their thesis.

Table Of Contents

What is a master thesis.

A master’s thesis is a written document highlighting knowledge gathered throughout the graduate degree, a unique perspective into the domain of study, an understanding of scientific and research methodology, and one’s ability to analyze and interpret research outcomes. 

It is a culmination of your work as a graduate student and demonstrates your expertise and caliber within your field of study. The specific requirements for your program’s thesis will depend on your school and departmental guidelines. 

A thesis could consist of an average of 70 to 100 pages, including a bibliography, citations, and various sections. It is written under the guidance of a faculty advisor and should be publishable as an article. 

Your master’s thesis reflects the literature in your field, challenges, evidence, and arguments around your writing topics.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement reflects what your paper represents and can help you summarize the main point of your research papers and essay. It can be articulated in one sentence and highlighted in the paper somewhere. 

To develop a good thesis statement, you must ask questions about your topic, write an answer befitting your initial thought process, build your solution through evidence, and refine the answer based on the findings and interpretation. It should guide the reader in following the idea of the paper.

How Long Does It Take?

A graduate thesis typically comprises 70 to 100 pages, excluding the bibliography. The length of your thesis could vary depending on your chosen topic, the statistical methods used for analysis, and the length determined by you and your guide or committee. 

You can expect to write a master’s thesis typically over two semesters when completing a full-time program. 

Components of a Master Thesis

A master’s thesis comprises various components. Understanding the required elements of a thesis can help you structure your thesis content well and make writing more accessible. 

The details might typically differ from institution to institution. Still, the following order is generally required for details of your thesis:

• Title Page – This consists of your thesis title and the month and year of your graduation. Be careful to keep this page unnumbered.
• Copyright Page – This page mentions you as the author, offering additional protection against copyright infringement.
• Committee or Faculty Page – This lists the names and titles of faculty members approving your work.
• Abstract or Summary – This generally includes a summary of your study, methods, and techniques used for research, and a brief description of your findings or conclusions. 
• Table of Contents – This page compiles all the section headings and subsequent page numbers. It includes one double-spaced line between the first entry and the heading. 
• Lists of Tables, Maps, Figures, Illustrations, symbols, and other abbreviations – This is where you need to list all the following, like figures, maps, etc., along with their captions and page numbers.
• Preface – This page is generally optional; however, if you want to explain the origin of your work or the author’s or authors’ contribution, it needs to be added to this page.
• Dedication – This includes a message from the author in tribute to a particular individual, group, or cause. It can begin with “To…”, like “To my parents…”
• Main Content – This typically includes an Introduction, Findings, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, etc. 
• Acknowledgment – If you have used copyrighted materials with granted permission, you can mention them here. Additionally, the source of your grant(s) must be acknowledged, including federal funds. You must add a disclaimer reflecting that the findings of your thesis are only yours and not that of the funding agency. 
• Bibliography or references – This page consists of all your works referred to in the thesis.
• Appendices – This section contains relevant materials tangential of detail, like raw data, questionnaire, procedural explanation, etc., that should be labeled as A, B, C, and so on, not 1,2,3 or I, II, III.

Format of a Master Thesis

While writing your thesis, you need to be careful about formatting as it takes care of the presentation part. 

As important as the content you write, your thesis formatting makes your ideas articulate and straightforward for others to read. Each school or program has its requirements for writing a thesis. 

Here is an example of how your master’s thesis should look:

• Title Page: The name of your major should be mentioned here correctly; the title must be in CAPITAL and double-spaced. The date mentioned on this page should be the month and year of graduation.
• Front Matter: The numbering should be in lowercase Roman numerals. It should include the table of contents, with a list of all the sections of your thesis. The chapter titles must correspond correctly to your original chapter titles and should be numbered consistently. 
• Page Numbers: Page numbering should start from the first page of your thesis, continue until the end without a break, and not be embellished (for example, Page 7, -7). You should carefully avoid running headers.
• Fonts, Margins, and Spacing: All fonts must be standardized, and all headings should have a consistent font. You must limit italic texts to foreign words, journals, book titles, etc. Keep your line spacing consistent, at around 1.5 pts, and equal margins, preferably 0.75 or 1 inch on all sides.
• Generic Points: Each chapter needs to begin on a new page with no blank pages in the document. When submitting the soft copy of your thesis, you should use a Portable Document Format or PDF, and your file name must be simple without special characters.

Formatting Checklist

To help you do a run-through of the formatting guidelines, we have listed a checklist for you to quickly run over and reflect on the formatting you have done for your thesis:

• Font Types and Sizes
• Indentations and Spacing
• Paginations
• Tables, Figures, and Illustrations

Top 10 Tips to Write Your Master Thesis

Once you have understood the basic requirements of how to write your thesis, including how to format and add content, your next step will be to get started with the thesis. 

This step is nerve-breaking for beginners trying to put all their ideas together as a thesis. Here are some tips to help you get started on your writing:

• Locating challenging areas or problems: This could include looking for current trends in your domain and checking how you can best describe them. You should generally avoid complex topics for a thesis as it is hard to research. 
• Ask essential questions: You need to understand some basic questions like what your research problem can be, its importance, comparative works, what others have found, comparisons to be made, and study methods. 
• Structure your ideas: You can design a concept map to help you brainstorm ideas. It will help you put your ideas logically and legibly. 
• Write your ideas spontaneously: You often think of something and lose track of it. Therefore, writing down your ideas and points as and when you find them in free writing will be easier. 
• Keep the examiner’s expectations in check: You must try to foresee the examiner’s expectations from your coherent arguments, understanding of theory, creative and novel ideas, confidence in the domain, and good linkage between different theoretical perspectives. 
• Check for clarity of ideas: Make sure you have a clear outline and plan out your paragraphs logically regarding problems that need to be addressed. 
• Get feedback: You must check with others if your structure and explanations are legible. Feedback from others will help you realize whether your thesis portrays your arguments clearly or not. 
• Analyze and conclude: Your results should be justified, and you should mention conclusions on how your study is impactful. Potentially, you must also list any implications of your study. 
• Writing draft: You must compile all critical components and read the first draft to see what changes you must include. Once your first draft is ready, you should ask your faculty members or seniors to review it and provide feedback. 
• Proofread: You must always proofread your thesis, as it helps find errors and look out for sentences that may be incomplete or have grammatical errors.

8 Steps to Finding Your Master Thesis Topic

Choosing a topic for your master’s thesis can be hectic and laborious. However, the process can be made exciting and will be rewardable. 

By finding your thesis topics, you will get a chance to explore your area of study, find out what interests you, and how you can contribute to your field. 

To effectively pick the right topic, you need to go through different topic ideas and then narrow them down based on your potential and ease of writing the thesis. 

Here are some tips on how to go about finding a good thesis topic:

• Brainstorm potential ideas This is not a process of one day; from the time you begin working on your master’s, you can list down topics that interest you. You must generate a list of topics from the classes you have taken, your reason for getting into the field of study, what areas you like to study, potential areas you might want to pursue after graduation, and so on.
• Talk about your interests Sometimes, when we just list ideas by ourselves, we may not be able to think much about our interests. However, when you discuss your interests with peers, teachers, or family, they may ask you questions that will help you gauge your interest area and direct you toward finding possible gaps or questions in your field of study.
• Go through your coursework and materials from classes taken When you go over your coursework, you can reflect on which topics intrigued you in the past. You can reflect on the knowledge you have gained and think of new ways to expand on the information learned before. Even something like your previous class assignments can help you explore different interest areas.
• Research current events You can also read the news, explore academic databases, and check prominent research journals in your field. One smart way could be to list keywords of up-and-coming topics as and when you research them so that you can look up information later.
• Speak to your faculty members Your faculty members will have a lot of insight into prior research and current research that you can do. They can help you evaluate the different avenues to be studied and brainstorm ideas.
• Exploring gaps in recent studies This can be done when you are writing your literature thesis by checking the implications mentioned in those studies. You can combine several similar implications to come up with a new topic.
• Think about your prospective area of work Through your thesis, you can try and understand which fields you want to work in. If you develop your thesis on an area you are interested in pursuing employment, you can develop better knowledge in that topic, leading to good research opportunities. Thinking about the work you want to do can help you plan your thesis better.
• Narrow your focus After you have found out the potentially different areas you may want to study, you can narrow down those areas. Further, you can streamline the topics that come under that area. By reducing your list of topics, you can critically evaluate which will best suit your personal and professional strengths.

Many people use the terms thesis and dissertation interchangeably; however, there is a considerable difference between them. 

Fundamentally, students enrolled in a master’s degree write a thesis, and those pursuing a doctoral program complete dissertation requirements. 

A dissertation also requires you to conduct an oral defense, but a thesis is not mandated. 

Here is a summary to give you an idea of the differences between both:

Many universities offer master’s degree programs in thesis and non-thesis tracks. The thesis track generally has more research work and more coursework to be completed along with the regular curriculum. 

In contrast, the non-thesis track does not have research coursework; instead, you will need more classes. However, students of both tracks must often conduct some kind of project or research.

Thesis Track

Students opting for a thesis track must conduct a comprehensive research project that will include completing more semester coursework. 

Graduates will need to write a thesis, a considerably large document, that can be published later. It is mostly for those who want to get knowledge and expertise in conducting intense research. 

The thesis track will also benefit those who want to pursue a Ph.D. or work in some aspects of research.

Non-Thesis Track

The non-thesis track is more flexible and designed for those who do not want training in research components. Even though these students will take less research credit, they will need more elective hours. 

Depending on your chosen program, you may be required to create learning modules, work as an intern, perform small research projects, etc.

Which Track is Better for You?

It can be difficult to understand which of these two tracks is better suited for you, as one must consider many factors. 

To understand which type of master’s is more suitable for you, you should ask yourself what kind of academic skills you want to acquire, your academic needs and professional objectives, and which classroom environment is better for learning. 

We have listed some key differences between both tracks to help you decide which one will suit you more:

FAQs About Master Thesis

Is it worth doing a master’s thesis.

By completing your master’s thesis, you develop good critical thinking, written, and research skills that help you effectively communicate your views and knowledge of the subject. A graduate thesis makes you a suitable candidate to enter a doctoral degree and seek employment in research-related areas.

Can a master’s thesis be rejected?

Most departments from where you are pursuing your master’s will review your thesis and recommend changes. It is generally unheard of that a thesis be rejected, but if so, one can implement the suggestions provided and send it back for review. As long as you follow the requirements prescribed by your college for writing and submission of a thesis, there should not be any major challenges or a rejection.

What to do if my master’s thesis is incorrect?

One of the first steps to take if your master’s thesis is incorrect is to talk to your advisor and understand the further changes to be made. You can evaluate your research and get it peer-reviewed before submission to faculty members, as it will help you foresee challenges. However, in cases where your hypothesis or premise is proved wrong or there are other issues, you can still publish the thesis. Still, you will need to represent your data and make interpretations and analyses well.

What should I avoid in a thesis?

Your graduate thesis should communicate the ideas you want to represent precisely. Therefore, you should avoid being vague. You must articulate your thoughts well in the written form, but be careful not to combine many ideas. One must also follow university or departmental requirements for writing a thesis.

What happens if you fail your thesis?

Generally, if one or more examiner gives you an outcome of “not passing” for the thesis on the final examination report, you will not be able to pass your program. You have the option to resubmit or revise your failed thesis. Those who have failed typically see the status of “Failed, entitled to resubmit” on their report, indicating that they can resubmit their thesis.

Can a thesis affect a student’s GPA?

For required readings and research, capstone project, and thesis, you would generally receive a letter grade of U-Unsatisfactory, SP-Satisfactory Progress, and S-Satisfactory Completion. Therefore such grades will not affect the final GPA that you receive.

You can use many resources to write a master’s thesis; however, these must only be used as a guide and not to plagiarise content, as one of the more crucial aspects of writing a thesis is creating novel work and contributing to your discipline. Here are a few that will help you with your thesis writing:

• Rutgers University Libraries Rutgers University Libraries has many online resources to support graduate students in writing their thesis. They provide a brief overview of many topics related to completing the dissertation.
• The Thesis Whisperer The Thesis Whisperer contains various online resources that can be helpful for both students and supervisors. You can find many workshops and resources to teach you about research techniques and tips.
• Auraria Library Auraria Library is a great resource for students to see a list of databases, journals, and research guides. You can also learn to visualize your data, design, and work with qualitative and quantitative data.
• Patter Patter is a resource that engages individuals and recommends how to conduct academic writing. It suggests how to write your thesis, what kind of writing is engaging, how to refresh your writing, and more.
• WikiHow WikiHow orients readers on how to write a master’s thesis that helps them get an overview of the whole thesis process, making it more seamless.
• Sage Publishing Sage Publishing is a comprehensive resource that allows educators, researchers, and institutions to teach and learn, understand research methods, and make an impact in social and behavioral science.

The rankings, average tuition (based on the degree type for in-state students), and average graduation rates are based on information from several sources, including Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and may vary. All rankings and figures mentioned are subject to change. Based on our proprietary methodology , the rankings are purely Online Masters Colleges's (OMC's) opinions. They do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor any official government census or survey. Additionally, any views or opinions expressed on this page are those of OMC's researchers and teams. Unless specifically indicated, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the people, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page's provided content is solely for informational purposes, with information drawn from several sources, including IPEDS. OMC or its employees make no guarantees of the accuracy or completeness of any information on this page or found by following any link. OMC will not be held liable for any mistakes or omissions in this material, nor will it be held liable for any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the material on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, reader discretion is always advised because part or all the provided information may have changed over time, potentially leading to inaccuracies. Please read our Terms of Service for more information. Logos and trademarks are properties of their registered owners

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• Theses & dissertations
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OU theses and dissertations

Online theses.

Are available via Open Research Online .

Print theses

Search for OU theses in the Library Search . To see only print theses click 'In the Walton Hall library' and refine your results to resource type 'Thesis'.

OU staff and research students can  borrow a consultation copy of a thesis (if available). Please contact the Library helpdesk giving the author and title of the thesis.

UK theses and dissertations from EThOS

The Electronic Theses Online System (EThOS) offers free access to the full text of UK theses.

• EThOS offers a one stop online shop providing free access to UK theses
• EThOS digitizes theses on request into PDF format, this may require payment
• EThOS is managed by the British Library in partnership with a number of UK universities
• EThOS is open to all categories of library user

What does this mean to you as a library user?

When you need to access a PhD thesis from another UK based HE institution you should check EThOS to either download a thesis which has already been digitised or to request that a UK thesis be supplied to you.

• For all UK theses EThOS will be the first point of delivery. You can use the online ordering and tracking system direct from EThOS to manage your requests for UK PhD theses, including checking the status of your requests
• As readers you will deal directly with EThOS so will not need to fill in a document delivery request
• OU staff and research students will still be entitled to access non-UK based PhD theses by filling in a document delivery request
• In some cases where EThOS is unable to supply a UK thesis OU staff and research students will be able to access it by filling in a conventional document delivery request. The thesis will be supplied through direct loan
• The EThOS system is both faster and cheaper than the previous British Theses service which was based on microfilm
• The British Library no longer arranges interlibrary loans for UK PhD theses
• Interlibrary Loan procedures for other types of request from the British Library (articles and books for example) will remain the same

If you have any queries about using EThOS contact the Document Delivery Team ( [email protected] or the Library Helpdesk ).

Note 13/03/2024: The British Library is continuing to experience a major technology outage affecting its websites and other online systems, due to a Cyber attack. as a result access to ETHOS might not be possible until the issue is fixed. 

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Harvard University Theses, Dissertations, and Prize Papers

The Harvard University Archives ’ collection of theses, dissertations, and prize papers document the wide range of academic research undertaken by Harvard students over the course of the University’s history.

Beyond their value as pieces of original research, these collections document the history of American higher education, chronicling both the growth of Harvard as a major research institution as well as the development of numerous academic fields. They are also an important source of biographical information, offering insight into the academic careers of the authors.

Spanning from the ‘theses and quaestiones’ of the 17th and 18th centuries to the current yearly output of student research, they include both the first Harvard Ph.D. dissertation (by William Byerly, Ph.D . 1873) and the dissertation of the first woman to earn a doctorate from Harvard ( Lorna Myrtle Hodgkinson , Ed.D. 1922).

Other highlights include:

• The collection of Mathematical theses, 1782-1839
• The 1895 Ph.D. dissertation of W.E.B. Du Bois, The suppression of the African slave trade in the United States, 1638-1871
• Ph.D. dissertations of astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (Ph.D. 1925) and physicist John Hasbrouck Van Vleck (Ph.D. 1922)
• Undergraduate honors theses of novelist John Updike (A.B. 1954), filmmaker Terrence Malick (A.B. 1966),  and U.S. poet laureate Tracy Smith (A.B. 1994)
• Undergraduate prize papers and dissertations of philosophers Ralph Waldo Emerson (A.B. 1821), George Santayana (Ph.D. 1889), and W.V. Quine (Ph.D. 1932)
• Undergraduate honors theses of U.S. President John F. Kennedy (A.B. 1940) and Chief Justice John Roberts (A.B. 1976)

What does a prize-winning thesis look like?

If you're a Harvard undergraduate writing your own thesis, it can be helpful to review recent prize-winning theses. The Harvard University Archives has made available for digital lending all of the Thomas Hoopes Prize winners from the 2019-2021 academic years.

Accessing These Materials

How to access materials at the Harvard University Archives

How to find and request dissertations, in person or virtually

How to find and request undergraduate honors theses

How to find and request Thomas Temple Hoopes Prize papers

How to find and request Bowdoin Prize papers

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Dissertations & theses: home, finding dissertations & theses.

The majority of print dissertations in the UC Berkeley Libraries are from UC Berkeley. The libraries have a nearly complete collection of Berkeley doctoral dissertations (wither online, in print, or both), and a large number of Berkeley master's theses.

UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley PhD Dissertations

Dissertations and Theses (Dissertation Abstracts)     UCB access only  1861-present 

Index and full text of graduate dissertations and theses from North American and European schools and universities, including the University of California, with full text of most doctoral dissertations from UC Berkeley and elsewhere from 1996 forward. Dissertations published prior to 2009 may not include information about the department from which the degree was granted. 

UC Berkeley Master's Theses

UC Berkeley Digital Collections   2011-present

Selected UC Berkeley master's theses freely available online. For theses published prior to 2020, check UC Library Search for print availability (see "At the Library" below). 

UC Berkeley dissertations may also be found in eScholarship , UC's online open access repository.

Please note that it may take time for a dissertation to appear in one of the above online resources. Embargoes and other issues affect the release timing.

At the Library:

Dissertations: From 2012 onwards, dissertations are only available online. See above links.

Master's theses : From 2020 onwards, theses are only available online. See above links. 

To locate older dissertations, master's theses, and master's projects in print, search UC Library Search by keyword, title or author. For publications prior to 2009 you may also include a specific UC Berkeley department in your search:  berkeley dissertations <department name> . 

Examples:  berkeley dissertations electrical engineering computer sciences  berkeley dissertations mechanical engineering

University of California - all campuses

Index and full text of graduate dissertations and theses from North American and European schools and universities, including the University of California.

WorldCatDissertations     UCB access only 

Covers all dissertations and theses cataloged in WorldCat, a catalog of materials owned by libraries worldwide. UC Berkeley faculty, staff, and students may use the interlibrary loan request form  for dissertations found in WorldCatDissertations. 

Worldwide - Open Access

Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD)

The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the adoption, creation, use, dissemination, and preservation of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs).

Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD)

An index of over 3.5 million electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). To the extent possible, the index is limited to records of graduate-level theses that are freely available online.

• Last Updated: Mar 11, 2024 2:47 PM
• URL: https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/dissertations_theses

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Electronic Theses & Dissertations (ETDs)

• Submission Checklist
• Formatting Requirements
• Submission Deadlines

An Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (ETD) is a requirement for graduation from Doctoral programs and available to graduates from Masters programs.

What is an ETD?

An electronic thesis or dissertation (ETD) is a digital version of a thesis or dissertation that will be deposited in the JScholarship repository managed by the Sheridan Libraries and be available online to the public.

Universities and colleges in the United States and abroad have been moving toward this type of publication for the past decade. Johns Hopkins started its own ETD program beginning in the fall semester of 2013.

Who does this apply to?

• Required for all PhD Students
• Optional for Masters students with a required thesis; contact your graduate office for information
• Other graduate degrees: Consult with your graduate office

How and when do I submit my ETD?

• Submit after you have defended your thesis or dissertation and made all edits required by your committee
• Follow the formatting requirements
• Login with your JHED ID to the JHU ETD submission system , fill in the required metadata, and upload a PDF/A file of your thesis or dissertation
• The required PDF/A file format is different from a standard PDF. Please see the formatting requirements for further instructions

Fee Payment

The ETD submission fee is $60 and may be paid by credit card or by funds transfer from your department. The fee is due at the time of submission; payment verification is required for approval.

Pay by Credit Card – $60

IMPORTANT: If the card you are using is not your own (e.g., spouse or parent’s card), proceed with the payment at the site, but then email your name, your JHED ID, and the name of the credit card owner to [email protected] so we can link your submission with the payment.

Pay by Department Funds Transfer

NOTE: This option is available at departmental discretion. Request that the department administrator fill out the PDF form and submit it to [email protected] .

Learn More about ETDs

Video tutorials.

A video tutorial of the entire ETD process can be viewed on YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

No. If your department does not coordinate printing and binding, you might consider Thesis on Demand or PhD Bookbinding . You can upload your PDF, and they will print it, bind it, and ship it to you.

Yes. No individual file can be larger than 512 MB, and the total size of all files cannot exceed 4 GB. If your thesis or dissertation is larger than that, please email [email protected] .

Within two months following degree conferral, ETDs are published to  JScholarship , our institutional repository. There are separate sections in JScholarship for masters theses and doctoral dissertations . If you placed an embargo on your ETD, only the metadata (author, title, abstract, etc.) will be available until the embargo period is up.

Your ETD will be published to our institutional repository, JScholarship , within two months following degree conferral. An ETD is considered published when it is deposited in JScholarship, even if it is under embargo.

Once published, changes cannot be made to your ETD. Your ETD will be published within two months following degree conferral. You are responsible for ensuring your ETD has been thoroughly proofread before you submit to the library.

Students submitting Electronic Theses and Dissertations are responsible for determining any copyright or fair use questions. For assistance, please consult the Copyright LibGuide or contact the librarian listed on the guide.

By default, ETDs are published to JScholarship within two months after you graduate. If you wish to temporarily restrict public access to your ETD, during the ETD submission process you can embargo your document for up to four years. Please note that the title and abstract of your document will still be visible during your embargo. You may release your document from embargo early or extend it up to the four-year maximum by emailing [email protected] . Once your document is publicly accessible, however, we cannot make changes to embargoes.

Contact ETD Office

Milton S. Eisenhower Library [email protected]

ETDs on JScholarship

Electronic theses and dissertations from JHU students. Go to ETDs

JScholarship Home

Open access publications from JHU faculty and students. Visit JScholarship

Please start by reviewing the formatting requirements and submission checklist .

If you have additional questions, email [email protected] for the fastest response.

If we are unable to resolve your inquiry via email, you may request an in-person meeting. Due to the volume of ETDs, we cannot meet on deadline days, or the two days before deadlines.

Please note we do not provide formatting reviews by email, only via the submission system .

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Home » For Authors & Researchers » Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Theses and dissertations produced by students as part of the completion of their degree requirements often represent unique and interesting scholarship. Universities are increasingly making this work available online, and UC is no exception. Find information related to open access theses and dissertations below.

UC has an open access policy for theses and dissertations, but procedures and specifics vary by campus

Several UC campuses have established policies requiring open access to the electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) written by their graduate students. As of March 25, 2020, there is now a systemwide Policy on Open Access for Theses and Dissertations , indicating that UC “requires theses or dissertations prepared at the University to be (1) deposited into an open access repository, and (2) freely and openly available to the public, subject to a requested delay of access (’embargo’) obtained by the student.”

In accordance with these policies, campuses must ensure that student ETDs are available open access via eScholarship (UC’s open access repository and publishing platform), at no cost to students. By contrast, ProQuest, the world’s largest commercial publisher of ETDs, charges a $95 fee to make an ETD open access. Institutions worldwide have moved toward open access ETD publication because it dramatically increases the visibility and reach of their graduate research.

Policies and procedures for ETD filing, including how to delay public release of an ETD and how long such a delay can last, vary by campus. Learn more about the requirements and procedures for ETDs at each UC campus:

• UC Berkeley: Dissertation Filing Guidelines (for Doctoral Students) and Thesis Filing Guidelines (for Master’s Students)
• UC Davis: Preparing and Filing Your Thesis or Dissertation
• UC Irvine: Thesis/Dissertation Electronic Submission
• UCLA: File Your Thesis or Dissertation
• UC Merced: Dissertation/Thesis Submission
• UC Riverside: Dissertation and Thesis Submission
• UC San Diego:  Preparing to Graduate
• UCSF: Dissertation and Thesis Guidelines
• UC Santa Barbara:  Filing Your Thesis, Dissertation, or DMA Supporting Document
• UC Santa Cruz: Dissertation and Thesis Guidelines (PDF) from the Graduate Division’s Accessing Forms Online page

Open access can be delayed in certain circumstances

Some campuses allow students to elect an embargo period before the public release of their thesis/dissertation; others require approval from graduate advisors or administrators. Visit your local graduate division’s website (linked above) for more information.

Common copyright concerns of students writing theses and dissertations

Students writing theses/dissertations most commonly have questions about their own copyright ownership or the use of other people’s copyrighted materials in their own work.

You automatically own the copyright in your thesis/dissertation  as soon as you create it, regardless of whether you register it or include a copyright page or copyright notice (see this FAQ from the U.S. Copyright Office for more information). Most students choose not to register their copyrights, though some choose to do so because they value having their copyright ownership officially and publicly recorded. Getting a copyright registered is required before you can sue someone for infringement.

If you decide to register your copyright, you can do so

• directly, through the Copyright Office website , for $35
• by having ProQuest/UMI contact the Copyright Office on your behalf, for $65.

It is common to incorporate 1) writing you have done for journal articles as part of your dissertation, and 2) parts of your dissertation into articles or books . See, for example, these articles from Wiley and Taylor & Francis giving authors tips on how to successfully turn dissertations into articles, or these pages at Sage , Springer , and Elsevier listing reuse in a thesis or dissertation as a common right of authors. Because this is a well-known practice, and often explicitly allowed in publishers’ contracts with authors, it rarely raises copyright concerns. eScholarship , which hosts over 55,000 UC ETDs, has never received a takedown notice from a publisher based on a complaint that the author’s ETD was too similar to the author’s published work.

Incorporating the works of others in your thesis/dissertation – such as quotations or illustrative images – is often allowed by copyright law. This is the case when the original work isn’t protected by copyright, or if the way you’re using the work would be considered fair use. In some circumstances, however, you will need permission from the copyright holder.  For more information, please consult the Berkeley Library’s guide to Copyright and Publishing Your Dissertation .

How to find UC Dissertations and Theses online

All ten UC campuses make their electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) openly accessible to readers around the world. You can view over 55,000 UC ETDs in eScholarship , UC’s open access repository. View ETDs from each campus:

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Theses and Dissertations

Cornell theses.

Check Cornell’s library catalog , which lists the dissertations available in our library collection.

The print thesis collection in Uris Library is currently shelved on Level 3B before the Q to QA regular-sized volumes. Check with the library staff for the thesis shelving locations in other libraries (Mann, Catherwood, Fine Arts, etc.).

Non-Cornell Theses

Proquest dissertations and theses.

According to ProQuest, coverage begins with 1637. With more than 2.4 million entries,  ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global  is the starting point for finding citations to doctoral dissertations and master’s theses. Dissertations published from 1980 forward include 350-word abstracts written by the author. Master’s theses published from 1988 forward include 150-word abstracts. UMI also offers over 1.8 million titles for purchase in microfilm or paper formats. The full text of more than 930,000 are available in PDF format for immediate free download. Use  Interlibrary Loan  for the titles not available as full text online.

Foreign Dissertations at the Center for Research Libraries

To search for titles and verify holdings of dissertations at the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), use the CRL catalog . CRL seeks to provide comprehensive access to doctoral dissertations submitted to institutions outside the U. S. and Canada (currently more than 750,000 titles). One hundred European universities maintain exchange or deposit agreements with CRL. Russian dissertation abstracts in the social sciences are obtained on microfiche from INION.  More detailed information about CRL’s dissertation holdings .

Additional Resources

Please see our resource guide on dissertations and theses for additional resources and support.

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• Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on November 21, 2023.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)

In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.

Table of contents

How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis and dissertation outlines.

While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.

• Working Title
• “Elevator pitch” of your work (often written last).
• Introduce your area of study, sharing details about your research question, problem statement , and hypotheses . Situate your research within an existing paradigm or conceptual or theoretical framework .
• Subdivide as you see fit into main topics and sub-topics.
• Describe your research methods (e.g., your scope , population , and data collection ).
• Present your research findings and share about your data analysis methods.
• Answer the research question in a concise way.
• Interpret your findings, discuss potential limitations of your own research and speculate about future implications or related opportunities.

For a more detailed overview of chapters and other elements, be sure to check out our article on the structure of a dissertation or download our template .

To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.

 Download Word template    Download Google Docs template

It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.

Example 1: Passive construction

The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.

Example 2: IS-AV construction

You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.

A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.

Example 3: The “I” construction

Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.

Example 4: Mix-and-match

To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.

As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

George, T. (2023, November 21). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved September 22, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/dissertation-thesis-outline/

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Home > ETD > Masters

Masters Theses

Submissions from 2024 2024.

"Where the Heart is Really Attached": Partner Compatibility in the Works of Jane Austen , Mary Amick

How Music Genres Affect Test Anxiety Among Third-Grade Elementary Students , Amy Summersett Ardovino

That They Do Always Remember Him: The Impact of Music and Covenant on the Modern Rite of the Last Supper , Rebecca A. Ard

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus in the Qur'an and Islamic Scholarship: The "Swoon Theory" and the Medical Perspective , Emmanuel K. Asante

Scientific Authorial Voice: Incorporating Explicit Instruction in Undergraduate Chemistry Courses , Emma L. Becker

Technology-Based Music Instruction , Alfredo Bedolla

The Modern-day Widow: Wrongly Shamed and Shunned in Evangelical Communities , Nancy Beise

A Contemporary Pauline Apologetic Toolkit , Jayne Bertovich

Media Dependency in Gen Z Christians , Emma Jolie Best

Naturalism, Christian Molinism, and the Problem of Evil , Caleb Blackman

Living a Life Behind Filters and Smiles , Lisa K. Bohler

The Difference(s) Between Autistic Individuals and Neurotypical Individuals when Learning to Identify Pitch , Kayla Faith Bostic

Reid Technique, an Effective 45-year-old Interrogation Technique? Or an Outdated Technique? , James A. Campoverde

Thesis Proposal and Project: The Christmas Fiddle , Tamara N. Canty

Poetry as a Means of Adding Depth to Character in Memoir , Kasey Brianne Carr

Somali Students in the American Elementary General Music Classroom , Alice L. Charland

Impact of Body Dissatisfaction and Selfies and The Effect of Self-Compassion: A Mixed Methods Study , Amelia Jing Zhen Cheah

The Decline of Mentorship and The Urgency to Share Valuable Knowledge with The Next Generation , Morgan Christopher

Cultural Identity in Isolation: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Big Brother Season 23 , Summer Ann Clutter

Shining Lights in a Crooked Generation: The Experiences and Impact of Soviet Evangelical Youth , Abigail Coker

Training Considerations for the Identification and Investigation of Human Trafficking Cases in Law Enforcement: A Case Study , Emilie O. Coleman

The Communal Table: A Wholistic Perspective on Food and Social Development , Sarah Cook

Modern Critiques of the Kalam Cosmological Argument , Colby D. Crawford

The Insufficiency of the Causal Mechanisms of Scientific Naturalism , Aaron R. Crosby

Diaphragmatic Breathing Influences Recovery Metrics after Aerobic Exercise , Trace L. Cruz

Page 1 of 49

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/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="masters thesis online"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Guide to writing your thesis/dissertation, definition of dissertation and thesis.

The dissertation or thesis is a scholarly treatise that substantiates a specific point of view as a result of original research that is conducted by students during their graduate study. At Cornell, the thesis is a requirement for the receipt of the M.A. and M.S. degrees and some professional master’s degrees. The dissertation is a requirement of the Ph.D. degree.

Formatting Requirement and Standards

The Graduate School sets the minimum format for your thesis or dissertation, while you, your special committee, and your advisor/chair decide upon the content and length. Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and other mechanical issues are your sole responsibility. Generally, the thesis and dissertation should conform to the standards of leading academic journals in your field. The Graduate School does not monitor the thesis or dissertation for mechanics, content, or style.

“Papers Option” Dissertation or Thesis

A “papers option” is available only to students in certain fields, which are listed on the Fields Permitting the Use of Papers Option page , or by approved petition. If you choose the papers option, your dissertation or thesis is organized as a series of relatively independent chapters or papers that you have submitted or will be submitting to journals in the field. You must be the only author or the first author of the papers to be used in the dissertation. The papers-option dissertation or thesis must meet all format and submission requirements, and a singular referencing convention must be used throughout.

ProQuest Electronic Submissions

The dissertation and thesis become permanent records of your original research, and in the case of doctoral research, the Graduate School requires publication of the dissertation and abstract in its original form. All Cornell master’s theses and doctoral dissertations require an electronic submission through ProQuest, which fills orders for paper or digital copies of the thesis and dissertation and makes a digital version available online via their subscription database, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses . For master’s theses, only the abstract is available. ProQuest provides worldwide distribution of your work from the master copy. You retain control over your dissertation and are free to grant publishing rights as you see fit. The formatting requirements contained in this guide meet all ProQuest specifications.

Copies of Dissertation and Thesis

Copies of Ph.D. dissertations and master’s theses are also uploaded in PDF format to the Cornell Library Repository, eCommons . A print copy of each master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation is submitted to Cornell University Library by ProQuest.

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Physical & Digital Collections

Theses & dissertations: home, access to theses and dissertations from other institutions and from the university of cambridge.

This guide provides information on searching for theses of Cambridge PhDs and for theses of UK universities and universities abroad. 

For information and guidance on depositing your thesis as a cambridge phd, visit the cambridge office of scholarly communication pages on theses here ., this guide gives essential information on how to obtain theses using the british library's ethos service. .

On the last weekend of October, the British Library became the victim of a major cyber-attack. Essential digital services including the BL catalogue, website and online learning resources went dark, with research services like the EThOS collection of more than 600,000 doctoral theses suddenly unavailable. The BL state that they anticipate restoring more services in the next few weeks, but disruption to certain services is now expected to persist for several months. For the latest news on the attack and information on the restoration of services, please follow the BL blog here:  Knowledge Matters blog  and access the LibGuide page here:  British Library Outage Update - Electronic Legal Deposit - LibGuides at University of Cambridge Subject Libraries

A full list of resources for searching theses online is provided by the Cambridge A-Z, available here .

University of Cambridge theses

Finding a cambridge phd thesis online via the institutional repository.

The University's institutional repository, Apollo , holds full-text digital versions of over 11,000 Cambridge PhD theses and is a rapidly growing collection deposited by Cambridge Ph.D. graduates. Theses in Apollo can be browsed via this link . More information on how to access theses by University of Cambridge students can be found on the access to Cambridge theses webpage.   The requirement for impending PhD graduates to deposit a digital version in order to graduate means the repository will be increasing at a rate of approximately 1,000 per year from this source.   About 200 theses are added annually through requests to make theses Open Access or via requests to digitize a thesis in printed format.

Locating and obtaining a copy of a Cambridge PhD thesis (not yet available via the repository)

Theses can be searched in iDiscover .  Guidance on searching for theses in iDiscover can be found here .   Requests for consultation of printed theses, not available online, should be made at the Manuscripts Reading Room (Email:  [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0)1223 333143).   Further information on the University Library's theses, dissertations and prize essays collections can be consulted at this link .

Researchers can order a copy of an unpublished thesis which was deposited in print form either through the Library’s  Digital Content Unit via the image request form , or, if the thesis has been digitised, it may be available in the Apollo repository. Copies of theses may be provided to researchers in accordance with the  law  and in a manner that is common across UK libraries.  The law allows us to provide whole copies of unpublished theses to individuals as long as they sign a declaration saying that it is for non-commercial research or private study.

How to make your thesis available online through Cambridge's institutional repository

Are you a Cambridge alumni and wish to make your Ph.D. thesis available online? You can do this by depositing it in Apollo the University's institutional repository. Click here for further information on how to proceed.    Current Ph.D students at the University of Cambridge can find further information about the requirements to deposit theses on the Office of Scholarly Communication theses webpages.

UK Theses and Dissertations

Electronic copies of Ph.D. theses submitted at over 100 UK universities are obtainable from EThOS , a service set up to provide access to all theses from participating institutions. It achieves this by harvesting e-theses from Institutional Repositories and by digitising print theses as they are ordered by researchers using the system. Over 250,000 theses are already available in this way. Please note that it does not supply theses submitted at the universities of Cambridge or Oxford although they are listed on EThOS.

Registration with EThOS is not required to search for a thesis but is necessary to download or order one unless it is stored in the university repository rather than the British Library (in which case a link to the repository will be displayed). Many theses are available without charge on an Open Access basis but in all other cases, if you are requesting a thesis that has not yet been digitised you will be asked to meet the cost. Once a thesis has been digitised it is available for free download thereafter.

When you order a thesis it will either be immediately available for download or writing to hard copy or it will need to be digitised. If you order a thesis for digitisation, the system will manage the process and you will be informed when the thesis is available for download/preparation to hard copy.

See the Search results section of the  help page for full information on interpreting search results in EThOS.

EThOS is managed by the British Library and can be found at http://ethos.bl.uk . For more information see About EThOS .

World-wide (incl. UK) theses and dissertations

Electronic versions of non-UK theses may be available from the institution at which they were submitted, sometimes on an open access basis from the institutional repository. A good starting point for discovering freely available electronic theses and dissertations beyond the UK is the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) , which facilitates searching across institutions. Information can also usually be found on the library web pages of the relevant institution.

The DART Europe etheses portal lists several thousand full-text theses from a group of European universities.

The University Library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses  (PQDT) database which from August 31 2023 is accessed on the Web of Science platform.  To search this index select it from the Web of Science "Search in" drop-down list of databases (available on the Documents tab on WoS home page)

PQDT includes 2.4 million dissertation and theses citations, representing 700 leading academic institutions worldwide from 1861 to the present day. The database offers full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full text coverage for older graduate works. Each dissertation published since July 1980 includes a 350-word abstract written by the author. Master's theses published since 1988 include 150-word abstracts.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The University Library only subscribes to the abstracting & indexing version of the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database and NOT the full text version.  A fee is payable for ordering a dissertation from this source.   To obtain the full text of a dissertation as a downloadable PDF you can submit your request via the University Library Inter-Library Loans department (see contact details below). NB this service is only available to full and current members of the University of Cambridge.

Alternatively you can pay yourself for the dissertation PDF on the PQDT platform. Link from Web of Science record display of any thesis to PQDT by clicking on "View Details on ProQuest".  On the "Preview" page you will see an option "Order a copy" top right.  This will allow you to order your own copy from ProQuest directly.

Dissertations and theses submitted at non-UK universities may also be requested on Inter-Library Loan through the Inter-Library Loans department (01223 333039 or 333080, [email protected] )

• Last Updated: Dec 20, 2023 9:47 AM
• URL: https://libguides.cam.ac.uk/theses

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Graduate Student Success Center

• Thesis and Dissertation Information

Thesis and Dissertation Submission Information

We have recently moved over to ProQuest ETD for all thesis/dissertation submissions. 

ProQuest is one of the largest, multidisciplinary, full-text databases with a variety of content types, including theses and dissertations. When published, your thesis/dissertation will be accessible to anyone who has access to the ProQuest database, allowing academics from all over the world to view your research. 

In addition to ProQuest, Boise State University uses ScholarWorks as an online repository for the publishing of all Theses and Dissertations. Your thesis/dissertation will be published here subsequently. Content included in ScholarWorks is openly available and can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection. Inclusion of Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations helps demonstrate the incredible contributions by Boise State students and assists in promoting research opportunities for future students.

Need Assistance?

Still confused on how to submit your document? Check out our step-by-step  ProQuest Submission Instructions  for further information.

Contact the Graduate Student Success Center at: 426-3604 or [email protected]

ProQuest Guide

Initial document upload instructions.

• Go to the Boise State ProQuest website and click “LOG IN” in the top right corner next to the Boise State “B” Please note: When submitting your advisor-approved copy of your thesis/dissertation,  you will use a Single Sign-On through your myBoiseState account.. Do not use the red “Sign-up and get started!” button at the bottom of the page to sign-in with your myBoiseState credentials to start the submission process.
• Start your Thesis/Dissertation submission. Please make sure you read the instructions page before continuing.
• Pick your ProQuest publishing option. If you need an embargo on your document, this is where you will indicate that, as well as by filling out our Embargo Request for a Thesis/Dissertation form. If you do not need a delay on your document being published to ProQuest/ScholarWorks, then please click ‘Yes.’
• Please read through and accept the ProQuest Traditional Publishing Agreement, as well as filling out our Access Agreement for a Thesis/Dissertation form.
• Begin to fill out your contact information (Name, Boise State Student ID number, email addresses, etc.). If you don’t want to purchase a copy of your thesis/dissertation at this moment, please make sure you click the box indicating that you would like information on ordering additional copies after your document is published.
• Then fill out your thesis/dissertation information (Title, Abstract, Committee Members, Keywords, etc.). Please put the ‘Degree Date’ as the month of your graduation i.e. May 2021, August 2021, or December 2021.
• Upload your thesis/dissertation document. If you have a Word document of your thesis/dissertation, please upload it as a supplemental file for formatting purposes. Additionally, if you have your Defense Committee Approval form, please upload that as a supplemental file.
• Please use the ‘Notes’ section to let us know what writing style you are using, i.e. APA, Chicago, MLA, etc.
• In the copyright section, please make sure that you click ‘Yes – copyright was previously filed.’ Do not pay ProQuest to file the copyright for you as it will be cheaper for you to do it on your own.
• If you would like to purchase bound copies of your thesis/dissertation, you can do that now or later.
• Double-check that the information you have provided is correct and submit your document.

Guide for Online Submission Form

• Primary Language of Dissertation/Thesis: Use the drop-down box to pick English if it is not automatically applied.
• Title: Enter the title of your thesis or dissertation exactly as it appears on the title page of your document, using Title Case.
• Abstract: Enter the abstract from your document. Often abstracts will be the only way readers can determine if they want to view your work. As a result, it is important to provide a well written and descriptive abstract.
• Year Manuscript Completed: Enter the year you are graduating.
• Degree Date: Enter the month and year of when you will be graduating. For example, May 2021, August 2021, December 2021, etc.
• Degree Awarded: Use the drop-down menu to find your exact degree title.
• Department: Use the drop-down menu to find your department.  If your degree is multidisciplinary, please choose the department your committee chair is housed in.
• Primary Subject Category: Use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate subject category of your thesis/dissertation.
• Keywords: The words you enter will help visitors find accurate results when they search ProQuest. You can enter up to 6 keywords or phrases. These keywords should be terms not already used in the title or abstract.
• Advisor/Supervisory Committee Chair: Enter the name and email of the Chair of your Supervisory Committee and, if applicable, your committee co-chair. Please do not include degree titles. 
• Committee Members: Enter additional committee members in the following fields including their email addresses. Please do not include degree titles.

Revised Document Upload Instructions

• Click here to access ProQuest and please press ‘Log in’
• Select the “Revise” to upload your thesis/dissertation with Graduate College edits made
• After your changes are complete, click Submit Revisions from the left sidebar and the button on the page that brings up

Reviewed Notification

You will receive notification via email when the reviewed copy of your thesis or dissertation is ready for you to view through ProQuest. You will then make any necessary edits before submitting the final version back to the Graduate College.

Final Approval

Once your final thesis or dissertation has been submitted to ProQuest, it will be reviewed by staff from both the Library and Graduate College. Once final approval has been given, it will be made publicly available on ProQuest and the Boise State repository, ScholarWorks, site as per your Access Agreement. Embargoed documents will not be available for download until the embargo period has passed.

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Dissertations and Theses

The dissertation is the hallmark of the research expertise demonstrated by a doctoral student. It is a scholarly contribution to knowledge in the student’s area of specialization. By researching and writing a dissertation, the student is expected to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and the capability to function as an independent scholar. 

A thesis is a hallmark of some master’s programs. It is a piece of original research, generally less comprehensive than a dissertation, and is meant to show the student’s knowledge of an area of specialization.  

Document Preparation

PhD and master’s students are responsible for meeting all requirements for preparing theses and dissertations. They are expected to confer with their advisors about disciplinary and program expectations and to follow Graduate School procedure requirements.

The Graduate School’s format review is in place to help the document submission process go smoothly for the student. Format reviews for PhD dissertations and master’s theses can be done remotely or in-person. The format review is required at or before the two-week notice of the final defense. 

Access and Distribution

Ohio State has agreements with two organizations— OhioLINK   and   ProQuest/UMI Dissertation Publishing —that store and provide access to Ohio State theses and dissertations.  

Examinations

Graduate degree examinations are a major milestone in all graduate students’ pursuit of their graduate degree. Much hinges on the successful completion of these examinations, including the ability to continue in a graduate program. 

The rules and processes set by the Graduate School ensure the integrity of these examinations for graduate students, the graduate faculty, and for Ohio State. 

Final Semester

During your final semester as a graduate student there are many activities that lead up to commencement and receiving your degree. Complete the final semester checklist and learn more about commencement activities.

Graduation Calendar

Select your expected graduation term below to see specific dates concerning when to apply for graduation, complete your examinations and reports, submit approved thesis and dissertation, commencement, and the end-of semester deadline.

Applications to Graduate Due 1  : September 6, 2024

Examinations and Reports completed by 2  : November 22, 2024

Approved thesis and dissertation submitted and accepted by 3  : November 27, 2024

Commencement 4  : December 15, 2024

End of Semester Deadline 5  : January 3, 2025

Applications to Graduate Due 1  : January 24, 2025

Examinations and Reports completed by 2  : April 11, 2025

Approved thesis and dissertation submitted and accepted by 3  : April 18, 2025

Commencement 4  : May 4, 2025

End of Semester Deadline 5  : May 5, 2025

Applications to Graduate Due 1  : May 23, 2025

Examinations and Reports completed by 2  : July 11, 2025

Approved thesis and dissertation submitted and accepted by 3  : July 18, 2025

Commencement 4  : August 3, 2025

End of Semester Deadline 5  : August 25, 2025

Applications to Graduate Due 1  : September 12, 2025

Examinations and Reports completed by 2  : November 26, 2025

Approved thesis and dissertation submitted and accepted by 3  : December 5, 2025

Commencement 4  : December 21, 2024

End of Semester Deadline 5  : January 9, 2025

1  Applications to graduate include current semester or End-of-Semester deadline. Applications must be received by close of business.

2 Format reviews may occur electronically or in person at the Graduate School during announced business hours.  Both options require submitting a digital version of the dissertation or DMA document draft in a PDF format to  [email protected] .  

3  Approved documents must be submitted via OhioLINK and accepted by the Graduate School by the close of business before the Report on Final Document will be processed.

4  Students not attending commencement must complete the commencement section on the Application to Graduate to indicate how their diploma should be disbursed.

5  A degree applicant who does not meet published graduation deadlines but who does complete all degree requirements by the last business day prior to the first day of classes for the following semester or summer term will graduate the following semester or summer term without registering or paying fees

Still Have Questions?

Dissertations & Theses 614-292-6031 [email protected]

Doctoral Exams, Master's Examination, Graduation Requirements 614-292-6031 [email protected]

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Reza Miry Masters Thesis Defence Monday, September 23, 9:30 AM

Thursday, September 19, 2024 | By nmarshall

Reza Miry, a Master of Science candidate in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, will present their Masters thesis titled Time Series Prediction: HMMs with TAN and Bayesian Network Observation Structures on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 9:30 AM online on Microsoft Teams.

The examination committee includes Stephen Anco, Chair; Pouria Ramazi and Tianyu Guan, Co-Supervisors; Rahul G. Krishnan, External Examiner (University of Toronto); and William Marshall and Xiaojian Xu, Committee Members.

Students (both graduate and undergraduate) as well as other members of the Brock Community are invited to attend. If you are interested in the presentation, please contact Neil Marshall at [email protected] for a link to the Team.

Abstract: This thesis addresses key challenges in time series classification, focusing on enhancing predictive accuracy through innovative modeling techniques. First, we introduce TAN-HMM, an extension of the traditional Hidden Markov Model (HMM) that incorporates Tree-Augmented Naive Bayes (TAN) to account for correlated features, significantly improving classification performance on complex datasets like MSRC-12. Next, we propose the Bayesian Network Hidden Markov Model (BN-HMM), which combines the temporal dynamics of HMMs with the structural flexibility of Bayesian Networks, achieving superior accuracy and feature relationship discovery. Finally, we tackle the problem of robust early warning signals for disease outbreaks, utilizing cutting-edge deep learning models to predict emerging disease behavior from simulated and real-world noisy datasets. Together, these contributions push the boundaries of time series classification and offer practical solutions for real-world applications, from human activity recognition to disease outbreak prediction.

• Reza Miry Masters Thesis Defence Monday, September 23, 9:30 AM September 19, 2024
• Lasith Chamindu Pranath Pussella Masters Thesis Presentation Monday, September 16 11:00 AM September 12, 2024
• Anuththara Lekamalage Masters Thesis Presentation Wednesday, September 11 9:30 AM September 9, 2024

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The Centre for Fundamental Rights announces the winners of the Hertie School Human Rights Master’s Thesis Award 2024

Zoe Sigman (MPP 2024) is awarded the Human Rights Master’s Thesis Award 2024; Kasyoka P. Mutunga (MIA 2024) receives an honourable mention

Nine theses focusing on the role of human rights in domestic, regional, or global law and governance, submitted as part of the MIA, MPP, MDS, or EMPA programmes, were nominated for the 2024 award. These were evaluated by the Selection Committee in August 2024.

The committee, comprising researchers from the Centre for Fundamental Rights not involved in supervising any of the theses, selected Zoe Sigman (MPP 2024) as the recipient of the Human Rights Thesis Award 2024 for her dissertation titled "Migrant Deaths on the United States-Mexico Border, 2014-2017. A Multiple Systems Estimation Approach," in which she collaborated with the International Organization of Migration’s Missing Migrants Project.

The committee was highly impressed by Sigman’s thesis, which investigates how state policies contribute to migrant mortality and analyses data from four independent organisations to account for the true number of migrant deaths along the US-Mexico border. Sigman clearly problematises the reporting issues of the United States in accounting for such deaths. By applying a novel and innovative statistical approach, she finds that official sources significantly undercount deaths along the border, estimating the true number of deaths to be 35-61% higher than previously reported figures.  In its consideration the committee noted that the thesis is of exceptional quality and makes an excellent contribution to human rights scholarship, both on a substantive and methodological dimension, by demonstrating how forensic data infrastructure can be used to highlight the terrible human costs of border policies.  Sigman’s work thus does not only speak to an urgent and pressing human rights problem but also examines it from a highly interdisciplinary perspective, combining statistical inference with a deep understanding of migration law and policy. She concludes with a range of concrete policy proposals that can be used to improve data collection and standardisation in migration as well as to create better governmental border enforcement policies to prevent migrant deaths.

The Committee also awarded an honourable mention to Kasyoka P. Mutunga (MIA 2024) for her thesis “The International Monetary Fund’s Conditionality Regime: A Cautionary Tale on the Pitfalls of Human Rights Mainstreaming”. She comprehensively investigates whether the IMF’s new strategy aimed at centring human rights concerns leads to changes in its lending regime. Her thesis is focused on a deep single case study of the IMF’s conditionality measures vis-à-vis Kenya from 1988 to today. Her detailed work demonstrates the absence of any substantial impact of the respective human rights strategy on lending, offering a highly critical analyses of the potentials and limitations of human rights mainstreaming in financial institutions.

The award winners were announced during the “Meet the Centre” event, hosted by the Centre for Fundamental Rights on 12 September 2024.

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Master’s Thesis Presentation • Autonomous Driving Systems • Automated Generation of Dynamic Occlusion-Caused Collisions

Please note: this master’s thesis presentation will take place in e7 5419  and online..

Eli-Henry Dykhne, Master’s candidate David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science

Supervisor : Professor Krzysztof Czarnecki

Dynamic occlusions (occlusions caused by other moving road objects) pose some of the most difficult challenges for autonomous driving systems (ADS). Validating the robustness of ADSs to safety critical dynamic occlusions is a difficult task due to the rarity of such scenarios in recorded driving logs. We provide a systematic typology of dynamic occlusion scenarios involving vehicles, as well as an interpretable framework for ADS safety validation in the presence of dynamic occlusions. Our framework allows for the generation of a diverse set of dynamic occlusion-caused collisions (OCCs) across a wide variety of intersections. These OCCs are tailored directly for the ADS under test. We have implemented our method of generation in a tool (OCC-Gen) and provide results demonstrating that it achieves higher generation efficiency and diversity of OCCs than prior works, while being applicable to any map or intersection. Our tool allows for the custom tailoring of scenario generation, occlusion calculation, and behaviour of non-ego vehicles, as well as driver reaction time. In this work, we present our technique and provide a detailed analysis of the variety and quality of our generated scenarios.

To attend this master’s thesis presentation in person, please go to E7 5419. You can also attend virtually using MS Teams .

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