Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.
The Library

Dissertations & Theses: UCSD and UC Dissertations & Theses

Locating and acquiring dissertations & theses from UCSD and beyond

UC and UCSD Dissertations

To confirm that a UC or UC San Diego dissertation is available online, check the record in UC Library Search for a View Online box

ProQuest. Restricted to UC IP addresses - Available in ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, and access is similar to that of any of our other online resources, where UC San Diego faculty, staff and students can access off campus using VPN.

eScholarship - Available in eScholarship, the University of California open access repository. This copy can be read or downloaded by anyone, on or off campus, at no charge.

If you see Embargoed until [date] or Full text available after [date], the author chose to delay the public release of their dissertation until that date. Your best option here might be to contact the author directly, or their advisor, or check the appropriate database(s) to find related journal articles and other works by the author.

If you come across a dissertation that's only available in print, or from a non-UC institution, follow the steps in UC Library Search to request a copy. Before you submit the request, you may want to search for the non-UC dissertation first in Google, in case the granting institution has made it available online.

Most UC San Diego print dissertations are offsite and can be requested from the annex.

Search for Dissertations and Theses in the Library Catalog

Most UC and UC San Diego dissertations and theses are cataloged and found in UC Library Search.

  • If you know the author or title, search accordingly.  
  • To search by topic, you can use the Resource Type facet to limit your search results to Dissertations from UC San Diego and the other UC campuses.
  • To search UC San Diego only, search the Library Catalog rather than Articles, Books and More. To include dissertations and UCSD in your keyword search.
  • To view multiple dissertations from a single UC San Diego department or program, locate one from the program and then use the Dissertations, Academic --  UCSD -- [department or program] subject heading to find more dissertations. 
    • Department and program names have changed over time, so this method will not necessarily retrieve every thesis and dissertation.