In an effort to reduce paper use, we strongly encourage students and advisors to
submit documents via email, if possible. Below you will find instructions to sign documents electronically and where to submit them after they have been signed.
Electronic Signature Instructions for Students
- Locate and download your form. You must download the form. You cannot complete the form inside an internet browser. When
opening the document, be sure to open it in Adobe Acrobat or Reader. (You cannot complete
the form in Previewer, which is the default program for PDFs for many Apple users.
Additional information is available for Apple users.
- Fill in the appropriate information on the form.
- Click on the "Student Signature" field.
- A pop-up will ask you to select a digital ID if you already have one created. If you
already have a digital ID, skip to step 15.
- If you do not have one created, the pop-up screen will give you an option to sign
the document using “A new digital ID that I want to create now.”
- Select this option and click “Next”
- Select New PKCS#12 Digital ID File, and click “Next”
- Type your name, email address, and select your country/region. The organizational
unit and organization name is not required for the creation of your digital ID. When
you certify or sign a document, the name appears in the Signatures panel and in the
signature field.
- Optional: To use Unicode values for extended characters (i.e. #, &, ^, etc.), select
“Enable Unicode Support,” and then specify the Unicode values in the appropriate boxes
that appear next to the first set of boxes.
- From the Key Algorithm menu, choose 1024-bit RSA
- From the Use Digital ID For menu, choose Digital Signatures and Data Encryption. Click
“Next”
- Specify a filename and location for the digital ID file
- Type a password; passwords are case-sensitive, must contain at least six characters,
and may not contain double quotation marks or the following characters: ! @ # $ %
^ & * , | \ ; < > _. Type the same password in both the Password and Confirm Password
boxes.
- Click “Finish”
- Save a copy of the form and send it to your graduate advisor, if necessary. (Most
forms require an advisor signature.)
Important: Make a backup copy of your digital ID file. If your digital ID file is
lost or corrupted, or if you forget your password, you cannot use that profile to
add or validate signatures.
For additional help on creating a self-signed digital ID, a video is available here.
Submitting Electronic Documents
Most forms will need to go to your advisor for advisor approval prior to coming to
the Graduate School for final approval. Some forms will come directly to the Graduate
School staff:
Form |
To whom document should be sent |
Course Change |
Your Advisor |
Program of Study |
Your Advisor |
Graduate Assistantship Application |
Program Coordinator or Dept. Head |
Graduate Assistantship Continuation |
Program Coordinator or Dept. Head |
Graduate Certificate Form |
Your Advisor |
Graduate Teaching Associate Application |
Your Department Head |
UG Enrollment in GR Courses |
Your Advisor |