Theses and Dissertations Policy

Approved electronic theses and dissertations (ETD)s are preserved by Texas State University Libraries as part of the university's permanent scholarly record.

Following final approval, degree conferral, and repository processing, ETDs are made available according to the selected access and embargo options. Unless an embargo or other restriction has been approved, ETDs are made available through:

• The TXST Digital Repository
• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global

University Libraries maintains ETDs through repository and preservation services designed to support long-term stewardship and access.

Authors retain copyright ownership of their work while granting the non-exclusive permissions necessary for preservation, access, and distribution through approved university systems.

During embargo periods, descriptive information about the work, including title, author, degree information, and abstract, remains publicly available while access to the full text is restricted. This descriptive information supports discovery and citation of the work while access restrictions remain in effect.

Texas State University is committed to providing equitable access to scholarly and creative works.

Students are responsible for ensuring that theses, dissertations, supplemental materials, and other submitted materials meet applicable accessibility requirements prior to submission. Accessible documents and media improve usability for all readers, including individuals who rely on assistive technologies.

Students should review accessibility guidance provided by Texas State University before submission: Texas State University Information Security Office Accessibility Guides

Students may choose to temporarily restrict public access to their thesis or dissertation when circumstances such as publication plans, patent applications, confidential research, proprietary information, or privacy concerns warrant delayed release.

Unless otherwise restricted by university policy, descriptive information about the work, including title, author, degree information, and abstract, remains publicly available during the embargo period while access to the full text is restricted.

The following embargo options are available for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs):

Students should carefully consider their publication and research needs before selecting an embargo option.

Embargo Extension Requests

Requests for embargo extensions must be submitted before the current embargo expires and must demonstrate a continuing need for restricted access.

Extension requests may be considered for circumstances including:

• Ongoing publication or book contract negotiations
• Active patent applications or commercialization efforts
• Confidential, proprietary, or restricted research obligations
• Privacy, legal, or security concerns

Embargo extension requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Graduate College in consultation with University Libraries. Approval is not guaranteed.

Contact the University Libraries to initiate an Embargo Extension Request.

MFA Creative Writing theses are subject to separate access provisions established by the academic program and are permanently restricted.

The standard embargo options described above do not apply to MFA Creative Writing theses.

Although preserved by the University Libraries as part of the university's scholarly record, these works are not made publicly available through the TXST Digital Repository, ProQuest, or any other platform at any time or in any format.

Texas State University provides access to approved ETDs through:

• The TXST Digital Repository
• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global

The TXST Digital Repository serves as the university's primary access point for theses and dissertations preserved by University Libraries.

ProQuest provides additional visibility and discoverability through an international database of graduate research used by libraries and researchers worldwide.

The provisions described above do not apply to MFA Creative Writing theses, which are permanently restricted and are not distributed at any time or in any format.

Submission to ProQuest does not transfer copyright ownership. Authors retain copyright ownership of their theses and dissertations while granting the permissions necessary for preservation and distribution.

Authors retain copyright ownership of their theses and dissertations unless otherwise governed by separate agreements or legal obligations.

Because the TXST Digital Repository and ProQuest agreements are non-exclusive, authors may continue to reuse, revise, adapt, and publish their research in the future, including through journal articles, books, book chapters, conference proceedings, creative works, and other scholarly publications.

Information regarding ETD submission procedures and embargo options is available in the Vireo Submission Guide.

Questions regarding ETD preservation, repository access, embargoes, copyright, and submission procedures may be directed to University Libraries.

Questions regarding formatting requirements, deadlines, graduate requirements, and degree approval should be directed to the Graduate College.