Finding Theses & Dissertations

MSU Libraries in Bozeman receives two copies of every thesis and dissertation, as well as some professional papers completed at MSU. One copy is placed in Archives; the other in the stacks. The College of Graduate Studies sends one copy of each doctoral dissertation to University Microfilms International to be microfilmed before sending it to the library. In the interim, the Archives copy of the doctoral dissertation will be the only one in the library.

Most MSU theses and dissertations submitted in 2003 and later are available online and may be downloaded in electronic format (ETD).

All theses, dissertations, and professional papers are sent to a bindery to be bound (with the exception of 2003 or later electronic theses or dissertations). Theses and dissertations are bound in blue; professional papers in brown. Ask at the Reference desk for a list of items currently at the bindery.

To locate dissertations, theses or professional papers in the online catalog, the following subject headings are used:

Document Type	Subject Heading	Example
Dissertations and Theses	MSU thesis--[name of degree]	MSU thesis--Nursing
Professional Papers	MSU paper--[name of degree]	MSU paper--Technology Education

NOTE: These subject headings do not appear in WorldCat or other union catalogs as they are unique to the MSU Libraries' catalog in Bozeman.

Theses, Dissertations, and Professional Papers are housed on the 2nd floor of Renne Library at the following call numbers:

Document type	Call number
Dissertations	D378
Master's Theses	N378
Professional Papers	P378

The base call number is followed by a letter and series of numbers representing the author of the work.