All new dissertations must be submitted electronically in order to facilitate and support their availability to the public. These are made available for download in the Electronic Theses & Dissertations collection.

However, some authors may choose to restrict access to their research. If it is necessary or advisable to temporarily restrict access (allowable for a period of two years), the student may do so by choosing one of two restricted release options:

Penn State Only
(available only to those with active Penn State Access Accounts for a period of two years)

OR

Restricted
(available to no one for a period of two years). The Restricted option is used exclusively for dissertations with patent issues.  After two years, the eTD is released (Open Access) unless the author requests an extension through the Office of Theses and Dissertations.

Questions about restricted theses or dissertations should be directed to:

Office of Theses and Dissertations
115 Kern Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-5448
gradthesis@psu.edu
 

To access older works by Penn State students that are not included in the Electronic Theses & Dissertations collection, please see details for locating Penn State Dissertations.