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For UW Oshkosh-owned theses:

• Do a search in our library catalog
• Click the Advanced Keyword option, and do a search like: thesis and oshkosh and nursing
  • It's best to search on the academic department for which the theses are written, like nursing or psychology or history or education
• From the list of results, click one you are interested in, and then click the Full View button to see the Notes area of the info for that item. This tells you when the thesis was written and for what degree.
• There are typically 2 copies of all theses - one in the Archives (that you can't check out) and one in the Main Collection (that you can check out).
• Write down the call number and go to the correct floor:
  • Books A - E: 2nd floor South
  • Books F - PN: 2nd floor North
  • Books PQ - Z: 3rd floor North

To find Dissertations & Other Theses

• Go to the main library web page and look for the section Find Articles, and for the drop-down menu that says "List of Library Search Tools" and choose Dissertation Abstracts from the list.
• You can search by author, institution, subject & keyword.
• Chances are that the majority of the theses & dissertation you will find are not owned by Polk. See "Get Materials" below for info on obtaining these.

Get Materials

• To obtain theses owned by Polk Library, locate the call number for the Main Collection copy and check library hours to see when you can check the item out.
• To obtain theses/dissertations NOT owned by Polk Library, log onto the Interlibrary Loan ILLiad system with your 16 digit Titan Card number and last name. Then choose "Request a Thesis". Fill out as much as you can about the dissertation/thesis: author, title, date, name of the school.
  • ILL will try to borrow a copy if possible, although it may be impossible for many foreign theses/dissertations.
  • If they cannot borrow a copy, they are typically able to purchase copies. Purchase price is paid for by Polk Library for graduate students & faculty. Undergraduates and alumni have to pay to obtain the material. ILL will notify undergraduates and alumni before proceeding with the purchase.

Can't Find It?

Ask A Librarian!