The best database to use for identifying dissertations is ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Penn Libraries keeps a print copy of most doctoral dissertations completed at Penn, with call numbers constructed from the awarding program's Library of Congress class and a class number that puts dissertations at the very beginning of the numbering sequence (for example, Social Work dissertations can be found at HV001). Within that call number, individual dissertations are arranged by year of award and then alphabetically by author's last name.

Dissertations may be searchable in Franklin by author name, or by including "Penn Dissertations" or "Penn Theses", as well as an academic subject. Here is an example of a subject search for dissertations in History.

We do not collect masters theses, though academic departments sometimes keep them.

Starting in December 2015, Penn required dissertations to be publicly available. These are hosted on the ScholarlyCommons institutional repository.

The Center for Research Libraries has a large set of international dissertations that can be ordered via Interlibrary Loan. Other resources include the National Library of Australia's Trove repository and DART-Europe.

Dissertations from other universities may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. If you are affiliated with another library or university, you can often request dissertations through the interlibrary loan department at your local institution. Copies of Penn dissertations are also for sale from ProQuest.