How do I find a thesis or dissertation?
I'm looking for theses. How do I find a thesis or dissertation?
Answer
SDSU Theses & Dissertations
- Go to the library homepage at library.sdsu.edu
- Click on Advanced Search.
- To find print theses and dissertations on a particular topic or written within a particular department, set the first search filter to Subject (local) and search for "SDSU theses" followed by (topic or department.) For example: SDSU theses (anthropology)
- Use the facets on the left side of the screen to further refine your results as desired.
Finding a Doctoral Dissertation Written at SDSU
Use the same process described above, only this time, after Subject (local) search for “SDSU theses (department or discipline) doctoral”. Example: “SDSU theses (educational leadership) doctoral”.
Finding an Undergraduate Honor’s Project or Thesis Written at SDSU
Use the same process to find an undergraduate honor's project or thesis written at SDSU. Set the search filter to Subject (local) and then search for "Bachelor's thesis (University Honors Program)”.
Note about Electronically Published Theses
SDSU student theses published after 2010 are available online. When you find the one you want in OneSearch, the record will say "Online Access." Click on this to access the online version, which is usually in PDF format.
Theses in Print
Older theses are shelved in Love Library. Theses written after 2000 are shelved by department, rather than subject matter. You can find the location of any thesis by using the call number in the library record for that thesis and by noting the floor location noted in the record. Need help with call numbers? Take a look at our tutorial.
For quick searches, use the search box below:
Non-SDSU Theses & Dissertations
If you want to find a thesis or dissertation written outside of the SDSU community, your best bet is to search Proquest Dissertations & Theses Global, which covers the Humanities, Social Science, Sciences, and Engineering disciplines offered at over 550 universities worldwide. Many dissertations are available as PDFs. If you find one that isn't available, you can request it through interlibrary loan, and we'll do our best to borrow a print copy for you.
Questions? eref@sdsu.edu