UMI Dissertation Publishing, a business unit of ProQuest, has been publishing dissertations and theses since 1938. Each year, we publish more than 60,000 graduate works (over 70,000 in 2006). The Authors section of this website provides information specifically for authors who will be publishing - or have published - their dissertation or thesis with ProQuest.

Why publish your dissertation or thesis with UMI?

UMI Dissertation Publishing provides the only comprehensive service in the world for publishing, archiving and disseminating graduate research. Over the past 70 years, we have published more than 2 million dissertations and theses. Most graduate schools in the United States require their students to publish with UMI.

Why? Doctoral dissertations and master's theses are primary literature. They are valuable contributions to the discourse in every field of inquiry. UMI will ensure that each published graduate work is archived in our vaults, and disseminated based on each individual author's needs – we can sell copies of your work through a variety of mechanisms, make it available on an Open Access basis, or completely restrict access, based on your direction.

Recognition. Publishing your dissertation or thesis with UMI provides you with a legitimate citation for your curriculum vitae and for other scholars who refer to your work. ProQuest's dissertation research tools have been the primary sources used to cite published dissertations and theses for decades.

Dissemination. Each dissertation and thesis we have published is listed in our ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, through which academic researchers around the world can gain access to your published graduate work. It is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world, and is the best method of ensuring that your research gains the widest possible audience. Access to your citation is free, and libraries and researchers can purchase a copy of your graduate work in a variety of formats – print, PDF, or microform.

Archiving and Preservation. Each new graduate work is archived in microform and in digital form (PDF). Two microform copies are stored in separate climate and humidity controlled vaults which meet all Library of Congress qualifications. Each microform copy meets exacting ANSI standards, and the digital copy is backed up in several locations. Each approach will ensure the long term preservation of your dissertation or thesis.

How can I find my dissertation or thesis?

Once your dissertation or thesis has been published, there is an easy way to point your colleagues, friends, and relatives to an online citation of your graduate work.

Using a URL syntax based on the OpenURL protocol, you can provide interested parties with a permanent link to your citation. The URL has two components: A standard string that directs a web browser where to look for the citation, and the UMI Publication Number for your work (this is the unique "pointer" in each URL). Our Author and School Relations team can provide you with a link, or you can construct your own if you know your UMI Publication Number. Here is an example:

http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver
=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=
info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3040836

Everything that precedes the 7 digit number at the end ("3040836") is part of the standard string. The 7 digit number at the end is the UMI Publication Number. Just substitute your Publication Number for the one above, and you have a permanent link to your online citation in the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database.

Contacting UMI Dissertation Publishing

If you have any questions that are not answered here or elsewhere on the ProQuest website, you can contact our Author and School Relations team directly at 1-800-521-0600 x7020 or via email at disspub@proquest.com.