Finding theses and dissertations

There are several options for finding theses and dissertations.

Search online in library databases

Search the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Database to find theses and dissertations from around the world. This database offers full text for most dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full-text coverage for older graduate works. You can do a basic keyword search or search for a specific title, author, or institution. 

Search for works for University of Nevada, Reno authors

To find theses and dissertations by University of Nevada, Reno authors, there is no single source that will find everything.

These are your options:

  • Search ProQuest Dissertations & Theses @ University of Nevada, Reno to find online versions where available. You can limit by author, advisor, department, degree type, etc.
  • Use Library Search to find any master’s or doctoral thesis produced at the University (as well as some non-University of Nevada, Reno theses). There are records for print, online, and microfilm copies. It also includes content from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
    • Use the Advanced Library Search tool to narrow your search by the name of the department in which the degree is granted. In the “Any field” dropdown menu, select Author/Creator. In the “Enter a search term field”, type the University name and department granting the degree. For example, to find dissertations/theses from the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, type “University of Nevada, Reno Department of Computer Science and Engineering.”
Screenshot of filters available in Advanced Library Search. The “Author/Creator” and “is (exact)” fields are enclosed in a red rectangle to indicate these fields have been selected. “University of Nevada, Reno Department of-“ is written in the search box next to the selected fields. The bottom row displays the default search selections: “Any field” and “contains.”

Search more comprehensively

If you need a more comprehensive search, including materials other than theses and dissertations (articles, books, videos, etc.), or if you are looking for physical copies of theses and dissertations, use Library Search from the library homepage. Search for a keyword, author, date, and/or title. Use the filters on the left-hand side of the screen under Resource Type to narrow to Dissertations (although not indicated, the search will include theses).

Screenshot of "Resource Type" filters available in Library Search. The "Dissertations" filter is enclosed in a red rectangle to indicate its location on the page. Other "Resource Type" filters on this page include: "Articles," "Reviews," "Dissertations," "Book Chapters,” “Show More” and “Newspaper Search.”

If you use the filters to limit by Library Location and select libraries at University of Nevada, Reno (Knowledge Center, Special Collections & Archives, DeLaMare Library), you can limit to physical copies only.

Need more help?

Find more detailed information in the University Libraries' guide on Finding Dissertations & Theses.