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Locating Dissertations & Theses: Obtaining Theses & Dissertations

Obtaining Theses and Dissertations

1. It is sometimes possible to request needed dissertations through Interlibrary Loan.  Some libraries will loan their dissertations if they have a circulating copy.  Their loan charges may or may not include a fee and delivery could take several weeks.  If you have questions, please contact the Interlibrary Loan Department at 251.460.7034.

2. Most U.S. dissertations are kept as a microfilm copy by UMI, a Michigan company.  The Interlibrary Loan Department staff can place a purchase order for an unbound paper copy of a dissertion through UMI's document delivery service, Dissertation Express, for approximately $33.00 with a 4 day delivery time.

3. You can search, buy, pay by credit card, and download your chosen dissertation directly in Dissertation Abstracts/ Digital Dissertation database. 

There are several formats available: PDF (immediate download) $37.00, Unbound $39.00, Softcover $54.00, Hardcover $70.00, Microfilm $46.00, and Microfiche $51.00.

4. You can purchase it yourself from UMI (website here). You will need the UMI publication number that can be found within the citation information in the Dissertation Abstracts/Digital Dissertations database.  There are several formats available: PDF (immediate download) $37.00, Unbound $39.00, Softcover $54.00, Hardcover $70.00, Microfilm $46.00, and Microfiche $51.00.