Collection inventory

Summary
Creator:	Syracuse University.
Title:	Syracuse University Dissertations and Master's Theses Collection
Dates:	1878-2013
Size:	2076 linear feet
Abstract:	Dissertations and master's theses of Syracuse University graduate and doctoral candidates
Language:	English
Repository:	University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives

Historical Note

Syracuse University was founded on March 24, 1870, when its Board of Trustees signed the University charter and certificate of incorporation, acting on a proposal put forth earlier that year at the Methodist State Convention. Despite its modest beginnings, the story of Syracuse University has been one of remarkable growth and progress. The University's population has expanded from a few dozen local students to over 21,000 students from all over the world. Significant eras of development in campus building and academic programs included the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries and the post-World War II years. The second half of the twentieth century saw the University transform into a modern research institution with international connections.

Submitting a thesis or dissertation was not initially a requirement for a earning a graduate degree at Syracuse University. In 1876, the first Syracuse University Post-Graduate Courses of Study mentioned that the only requirement for a graduate degree was "one year's study at the University, devoted to such subjects as may be approved by the faculty." The course of study guide continued: "No particular course or courses of study are specially required, but any who wish to devote a year to such study are requested to consult personally with the Faculty." For PhD students, two years of study were required. Despite this, some faculty members did require their graduate students to submit a thesis, with the first known thesis submitted in 1878. It was not until 1883 that the Post-Graduate Courses of Study declared that graduate students were required to "present and defend a thesis of not less than four thousand words on some subject connected with the department of study pursued by him." Submitted theses were typed and, until the 1980s, bound into book form. In 2012, dissertations and master's theses began to be submitted electronically.

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Scope and Content Note

The Syracuse University Dissertations and Master's Theses Collection contains over 21,000 print and 1,600 digital dissertations and theses submitted in the course of degree completion by candidates for advanced degrees. The earliest item in the collection is the master's thesis of J. Albert Reinhart, who completed his Master of Arts degree in Latin in 1878. The collection contains dissertations and theses from all the University's schools and colleges representing the work of scholars in areas ranging from the humanities to the fine arts, architecture, nursing, and STEM fields. Many recent electronic dissertations and master's theses can be accessed through ProQuest.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advance notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Access to audiovisual material requires advance notice to produce a use copy.

Born-digital materials remain unprocessed and are therefore restricted.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Related Material

Many recent electronic dissertations and master's theses can be accessed through ProQuest.

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Subjects

Types of material

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Syracuse University Dissertations and Master's Theses Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Transferred from the Syracuse University Graduate School and various campus offices.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Vanessa St.Oegger-Menn and Meg Mason
Date: 2021
Revision history: 19 Apr 2023 - full inventory added to finding aid (DTF); 8 Aug 2023 - several dissertations and master theses located, inventory and extent updated (DTF); 12 Jan 2024 - oversize dissertations and master theses rehoused and added to inventory, extent updated (DTF)

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Arrangement

Materials are arranged chronologically by year and alphabetically within each year.

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Supplemental Finding Aids

For a full list and description of dissertations and master's theses, including author, title, and graduating year, please refer to the Excel itemized listing.

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Inventory

	Dissertations and Master's Theses
		For a full list and description of dissertations and master's theses, including author, title, and graduating year, please refer to the Excel itemized listing.
Box 1-1072		Print copies
Box 1073-1075		Microfilms
Box 1076-1079		Print copies
Box 1080-1081		Microfilms
Box 1082		Print copies
Box 1083		Microfilms
Box 1084-1090		Print copies
Box 1091-1092		Microfilms
Box 1093-1098		Print copies
Box 1099		Microfilms
Box 1100-1299		Print copies
Box 1300-1329		Dissertations on CD
Box 1330-1340		Print copies
Box 1341-1343		Microfilms
Box 1344-1359		Print copies
Box 1360		Microfilms
Box 1361-1391		Print copies
Box 1392		Dissertations on CD
Box 1393-1394		Print copies
Oversize 1-3		Print copies

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