Answered By: Timothy Grasso
Last Updated: Dec 22, 2020     Views: 458

Online Access: The easiest way to access doctoral dissertations and theses is online through Proquest's Dissertations and Theses Global database, the most comprehensive collection of full-text dissertations and theses from the U.S. and around the world. ProQuest Dissertations contains nearly 2.5 million full text dissertations, and 5 million dissertation citations. Most full-text content is available beginning with 1997, but selected online dissertations are also available before 1997, and citation and abstracts go as far back as 1861.

Many recent Fuller dissertations are also available online through the Digital Commons@Fuller. Dissertations can be discovered through use of the full text search bar, or by viewing specific degree collections organized by graduate program and degree.

Additional dissertation databases are also listed under the dissertation and theses filter on the library databases page (including Korean language). You can also search for individual dissertation citation records through a standard catalog search (WorldCat) with the "Thesis/dissertation" format filter. Simply replace the asterisk (*), with your desired dissertation keywords. (Note: Full text ProQuest dissertations are not accessible through the library catalog. This search does not allow users to easily separate print and electronic dissertations. Click here for TREN access instructions)

Searching the Worldcat Dissertations & Theses database, while selecting the "Limit availability to: __ Items in my library" button and "internet resources" filter, will limit results to only Fuller-owned, full text dissertations. While more precise in its search capacity, this database can be difficult to navigate.

For even more online dissertation options view our finding dissertations and free online resource guides. 

Purchasing Dissertations: patrons may purchase dissertations by visiting Proquest/UMI dissertation service Express. 

Print Dissertations: Fuller Seminary's Hubbard Library in Pasadena also has print dissertation resources. Non-Fuller and older dissertations are located within the main library collection stacks by call number (Basement A and B). Starting in the mid-1990's, most Fuller Dissertations were cataloged under ZZ and are located in Basement B (to the left off the elevator). 

Print and Non-TREN dissertations can be searched in the library catalog here (place additional keywords before the current search terms).

You can also search the Worldcat Dissertations & Theses database by selecting the "Limit availability to: __ Items in my library" button, along with the "books" and "any format" < "not microform" filters. This search allows for a more focused result list that excludes any online or microform titles.