Document Management for Digital Signatures

DocuSign is an eSignature and Cloud service that is user-friendly, browser-based, and secure. 最色导航's University Information Technology Service (UITS) has stated that signatures obtained through DocuSign "are comparable to traditional signatures" and has approved DocuSign as a document management solution.

In order to expedite document processing, ensure all required information and signatures are obtained, and develop a document management system that allows for easier communication among students, faculty, and administration, the Ed.D. program of the Bagwell College of Education have moved to utilizing DocuSign for document management and submission. Major Professors and Dissertation Chairs can begin the signing process for all program documents and invite additional signers by utilizing the links and program forms found on this web page.

Each program form has been converted to a DocuSign Template & PowerForm. Major Professors and Dissertation Chairs should complete the steps below to initiate any form. A video demonstrating the process has also been provided at the bottom of this page. NOTE: Only Advisors, Major Professors, and Dissertation Chairs should initiate a form. This process will not work for students and candidates.

To initiate a doctoral program form in DocuSign:

  1. Determine which form you need by reading the form's description.
  2. Determine which names, email addresses, information, and attachments you may need prior to beginning the signing the process.
  3. Click on your program name under the appropriate form.
  4. Provide the requested names and emails and click on "BEGIN SIGNING".
  5. This will take you to the DocuSign environment. If this is your first time using DocuSign, you will be asked to agree to the Terms & Conditions of Use for DocuSign prior to completing or signing any form.
  6. The "Please Review & Act on These Documents" top banner of DocuSign provides a summary of what the document is. Click "CONTINUE" to complete the form and fill in the required information.
  7. When all required fields have been completed, and you have signed (if needed) in all appropriate areas, you will be able to click "FINISH", and DocuSign will route the document to the next person.

For more information on using DocuSign for Bagwell College of Education Doctoral Program Forms, email Dr. Laurie Dias at ldias@kennesaw.edu.

Program Forms

  • This form must be completed early in the program. This form can be initiated by Major Professors, Dissertation Chairs, or Program Coordinators.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Major Professor/Dissertation Chair/Program Coordinator and Student.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, email, and phone number.

  • This form must be completed and submitted in the first or second semester of the program. This form outlines the plan of completion for all courses in the program by each semester.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Major Professor and Student.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, email, and phone number.

    Attachments needed: DegreeWorks printout or Program of Study.

  • Once committee members have been identified, use this document to form the committee. The Chair of the committee must be KSU Graduate Faculty associated with the program, and the committee should be comprised of, at least, three KSU Graduate Faculty, which may include the Chair.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Dissertation Chair & Department Chair, Committee Member 2 & Department Chair, Committee Member 3 & Department Chair, and Student; Committee Member 4 & 5, if necessary.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, and email.

  • Any requests for change in committee membership should be made only after the candidate meets with the Department Chair to determine and assess the reasons for the proposed committee change. The candidate will be responsible for notifying the previous member(s) of the change. 

    Important Notes for Completion of This Form:

    • If the student is changing Dissertation Chairs, the new Dissertation Chair should initiate and sign this form.
    • When initiating this form, Dissertation Chairs will need to enter their name and email twice. The first instance allows the Dissertation Chair to initiate the form and complete the form fields for the student's name and KSU ID. The second instance allows you to review the changes the student is making to the committee, approve these changes, and sign the document.
    • The Dissertation Chair does not complete the form fields regarding committee composition and the reasons for changes to the committee composition. The document is sent to the student to complete these form fields.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Dissertation Chair and Student.

    Student information: name and KSU ID.

  • Submit this completed form, along with a hard copy of a current advising guide and an approved Program of Study, at least, four weeks prior to the exam. All students taking the Doctoral Comprehensive Exam must have this form completed to be properly registered for the exam.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Dissertation Chair and Student.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, expected graduation date, email, phone number, permanent address, and exam date.

    Attachments needed: Advising Guide and Program of Study.

  • This document must be completed and submitted by the end of the semester the comprehensive examination has been approved.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Dissertation Chair and Student.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, email, phone number, exam date, and passed/not passed status.

    Attachments needed: Program Comprehensive Examination Rubric, if necessary.

  • This document must be completed and submitted by the end of the semester the dissertation proposal has been approved.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Dissertation Chair and Student.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, email, phone number, title of proposal, defense date, accepted/accepted with qualifications status, and qualifications (if needed).

    Attachments needed: Qualifications and Program Proposal Rubric, if necessary.

  • This form must be completed by the end of the semester after the dissertation proposal has been approved.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Dissertation Chair and Student.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, email, and phone number.

    Attachments needed: Dissertation Proposal.

  • This form must be completed when the entire Dissertation Committee has agreed to a final defense date.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Dissertation Chair and Student.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, title of dissertation, day/date/time of defense, and location of defense.

  • This must be completed after the dissertation or thesis has been successfully defended and must be submitted a week before grades are due (to ensure adequate time to enter it into the system).

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Dissertation Chair, Committee Member 2, Committee Member 3, and Student; Committee Member 4 & 5, if necessary.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, email, phone number, title of dissertation, passed/failed/passed with revisions status, and revisions.

    Attachments needed: Revisions and Program Dissertation Rubric, if necessary.

  • Per The Graduate College Continuous Enrollment policy, if a student has completed all degree requirements and will no longer require any of the campus resources or faculty time, the student may request an enrollment waiver.

    Name(s) and email(s) you must include when beginning the signing process: Dissertation Chair and Student.

    Student information needed: name, KSU ID, email, expected conferral semester, and justification for waiver.

DocuSign Forms and Routing Information

  • If you would you like to experience the DocuSign process for a specific form before initiating an official form, please use the links below. The forms listed below are designed to route only to the Major Professor and Dissertation Chair. Be aware that, during the actual initiation process for a form, you may be asked to enter additional names and emails, not including your own. During this demonstration process, you should enter information into all required fields and click "Finish" to end the demonstration. When using the demonstration forms, entering incorrect information is inconsequential.