07/08/2025
Can I convert my thesis into a monograph?
Yes, but it depends. At MDPI Books, we offer two options:
1️⃣ PhD Thesis-Based Monographs
These are substantially revised works based on your dissertation, intended for a broader academic audience and are peer-reviewed.
Here’s what you need to know:
🟠 It’s not just your thesis in book form
A monograph should read as a unified, polished work, not a chapter-by-chapter thesis. It needs a strong narrative, logical flow, and clear introduction/conclusion.
🟠 You’ll need to revise and expand significantly
We recommend adding or changing at least 50% of the original content. This includes updated references, fresh analysis, and removing institutional phrasing.
🟠 Adapt your tone and structure
A thesis is written for examiners; a monograph should engage a broader academic readership. Cut jargon, streamline methods and literature sections, and focus on clarity.
🟠 Length and formatting
Final manuscripts should fall between 30,000 and 100,000 words, and meet MDPI formatting and ethical requirements (e.g., copyright clearance, minimal footnotes).
🟠 Peer review requiredMonographs are held to the same academic and editorial standards as any scholarly book. Upon acceptance, they’re eligible for indexing and formal recognition.
2️⃣ PhD Thesis Publications
Want to make your doctoral work accessible as is? This route preserves your thesis with minimal changes and makes it available open access.
🔶 No peer review, but editorial checks apply
🔶 Clearly labelled as a PhD Thesis Publication
🔶 Not eligible for indexing (e.g. Web of Science)
🔶 Admin materials (e.g. examiner reports) must be removed
🔶 Recommended additions: a preface, ‘about the author’, updated acknowledgments
🔶 Cumulative theses based on journal articles need permissions for re-use
This is a good option if you simply want to share your work without reshaping it into a new book.
💡 Not sure which path is right for you?
Get in touch, we’re happy to help you explore both options.
📩 [email protected]
