How to Find Dissertations & Theses

North American theses or dissertations

• Dissertations and Theses: Full-Text is the place to start.  It replaces Dissertation Abstracts, and includes citations of most dissertations and many master's theses, abstracts for dissertations from 1980-present and master's theses from 1988-present, and 1 million+ downloadable full-text dissertations and theses. (1637-present, covers US and Canada with some international material, Duke access only)
  

Theses or dissertations written by Duke students

• All Duke undergraduate honors theses, master's theses, and dissertations are held by the Duke libraries in paper form; search the online catalog by author or title.  Those submitted in the past year may not yet be in the library catalog.
• Dissertations and Theses at Duke University Includes dissertations and master's theses.  (1996-present, Duke access only)
• Dukespace electronic theses and dissertations Includes dissertations, master's theses, and undergraduate honors papers.  (2007-present, open access full-text)
  

Theses or dissertations written by students at non-American schools

• Great Britain and Ireland for citations (covers 1716-present, with abstracts 1986-present)
• Contact the subject librarian for other countries or regions

To obtain non-Duke theses or dissertations:

• Request though Interlibrary Loan
• Purchase a copy through Dissertations Express (but be sure to check Dissertations and Theses: Full-Text first!)

Where to Locate Print Dissertations & Theses in Duke Libraries

Music Library
Duke University Music Department theses and dissertations are located in the Music Library in room 113 of the Mary Duke Biddle Music Building on East Campus.

Biology and Environmental Sciences Library
Dissertations and theses written by Duke students in the biological and environmental sciences can be found in the Biology and Environmental Sciences Library. The call number will start with "Ph.D." or "M.S." and then the first initial of the author's name.

University Archives
University Archives, located in room 103 of Perkins Library, has copies of undergraduate honors theses. These do not circulate, but photocopies may be made for a fee. Archives also keeps a second, non-circulating copy of all Duke University dissertations and master's theses for historical purposes.

Library Service Center
Dissertations and theses written by Duke students in the humanities and social sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering can be found in the Library Service Center, an off-site facility. Retrieve them using the "Request" link in the online catalog, or fill out the Off-site request form.