Can I sign electronically?

Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act and state UETA statutes; confirm your university’s policy on eSignatures and any additional institutional authentication requirements.

Is notarization ever required?

Most academic proposal forms do not require notarization. If your department or graduate school requests notarization, follow their instructions and state notary rules, or use Remote Online Notarization if accepted.

What happens if a signature is missing?

Missing signatures typically result in administrative return and re-submission. Collect all signatures in the required order to avoid processing delays.

Can committee members sign in any order?

Some institutions require a specific signing order; configure online routing sequentially to meet those rules and prevent incomplete approval chains.

How do I include IRB or other approvals?

Attach institutional approvals such as IRB or IACUC documents to the form at submission. Label exhibits clearly to help administrative review.

How long are records kept?

Retention policies vary; keep completed forms for the active program term plus recommended institutional minimums, and follow HIPAA or IRS retention rules if applicable.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Thesis Proposal/Comprehensive Exam Form

Thesis Proposal/Comprehensive Exam Form

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

What the Thesis Proposal/Comprehensive Exam Form Is

The Thesis Proposal/Comprehensive Exam Form is an institutional record used to document a graduate student’s proposed research plan or the scope of a comprehensive qualifying exam, committee membership, and approval milestones. It typically records project title, abstract or exam areas, advisor and committee signatures, anticipated timelines, and any administrative fees or departmental approvals required before research or exam scheduling. Universities use the form to confirm that the student and committee agree on objectives, methods, required coursework or readings, and milestones toward degree candidacy or thesis submission.

Why this Form Matters for Students and Departments

Completing the form creates a clear, auditable record of doctoral or master’s research intent and committee authorization, supports compliance with institutional timelines, and helps avoid later disputes about scope, membership, or deadlines.

Key Components Included on the Form

A professional Thesis Proposal/Comprehensive Exam Form organizes administrative, academic, and approval data so committees and graduate schools can track candidacy and research progress.

Project Title

Clear, descriptive title used in records and filings; avoids abbreviations or internal codes.

Abstract / Scope

Concise summary of aims, methods, objectives, and limits of study or exam topics and learning outcomes.

Committee Members

Advisor and committee names, departments, and institutional affiliations needed for official approval.

Timeline

Planned milestones such as proposal defense, comprehensive exam date, and final submission deadline.

Signatures

Signed approvals from advisor, committee members, and program director confirming acceptance.

Administrative Details

Student ID, program code, funding or conflict-of-interest notes, and any required administrative fees.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Submitting the Form

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, gather approvals, and file the form with your graduate office.

01

Prepare draft: Write title, abstract, and objectives; verify program requirements.
02

Assemble committee: Confirm member availability and obtain preliminary consent to serve.
03

Collect signatures: Obtain advisor and committee approvals in writing or via permitted eSignature.
04

Submit to office: Send completed form and attachments to the graduate school or registrar.

Configuring an Online Workflow for This Form

If your program uses an online system or eSignature platform, configure fields and routing to match institutional requirements.

Field	Configuration
Name Field	Required, single-line, validate against student directory
Date Fields	MM/DD/YYYY format, auto-fill on signature
Signature Fields	Signer-specific, require name and date
Routing	Sequential: student → advisor → committee → program office

Typical Submission Routes and Where the Form Goes

Forms typically move through a defined sequence of reviewers; set routing so each party receives its action item without duplication.

Student Submit: Student uploads the form with attachments to the portal.
Advisor Review: Advisor reviews and signs, adding feedback if required.
Committee Approval: Committee members sign in the agreed order.
Graduate Office: Office reviews for completeness and files official record.

Digital Signing and Platform Requirements

Ensure the chosen platform supports secure signatures, audit trails, and the integrations your institution requires.

File Formats: Accept PDF and DOCX for form uploads
Integrations: Should integrate with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365
Security: Require TLS and AES encryption at rest

Common Deadlines and Timeline Triggers

Deadlines vary by program; these items are typical deadlines you should confirm with your department or graduate school.

Proposal Submission Deadline:

Date set by program for committee review and feedback

Comprehensive Exam Window:

Timeframe when exams must be scheduled for candidacy

Defense Scheduling:

Deadline to reserve defense room and publicize event

Final Submission:

Last date to submit final thesis for graduation term

Degree Audit Cutoff:

Registrar deadline to include degree conferral that term

Milestone Sequence from Proposal to Degree Conferral

Track these numbered stages to monitor progress from proposal approval through final deposit and degree certification.

01

Stage One: Proposal Filed

Student files proposal with advisor and committee for initial review

02

Stage Two: Committee Approval

Committee reviews and returns approval or required revisions

03

Stage Three: Comprehensive Exam

Student completes exam or qualifying assessment as scheduled

04

Stage Four: Final Submission

Student submits revised thesis and final approval documents to registrar

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing or inconsistent names between form and university records, causing return requests.
Incomplete committee signatures or incorrect signing order delaying administrative acceptance.
Using nonstandard date formats which cause processing errors in online systems.
Failing to attach required exhibits, such as IRB approval or course completion verification.

Essential Information Fields on the Form

Student Name: Full legal name as on record

Student ID: Official university identifier

Project Title: Complete title of thesis or exam scope

Committee Names: Advisor and member full names

Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format required

Signatures: Signed and dated by each approver

Consequences of Errors or Late Submission

Processing Delays: May delay candidacy or graduation

Fee Assessments: Late filing may trigger institutional fees

Invalid Approval: Missing signatures can render approval void

Record Corrections: Correction may require committee re-signature

Missed Graduation: Late final deposit can postpone degree conferral

Data Privacy Risk: Improper handling of student records may violate FERPA

Two Typical Use Cases in Academic Programs

These scenarios show how the form is used in different departmental workflows and the benefits of accurate completion.

Departmental Review

A student submits a detailed proposal for advisor review and committee selection.

Committee agrees on scope and requests two minor revisions.
The finalized form records approvals and schedules the proposal defense, enabling the graduate office to clear the student for candidacy and set a defense date.

Comprehensive Exam Scheduling

A candidate files a comprehensive exam plan with reading lists and examiners.

Examiners confirm availability and sign electronically.
The completed form establishes the official exam date, documents required materials, and creates a record for the registrar to apply exam results toward degree requirements.

Representative eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

A concise vendor comparison for basic pricing and common capabilities; verify vendor plans and academic discounts separately prior to procurement.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Depends on plan	Depends on plan	Depends on plan	Depends on plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions — Troubleshooting and Policy

Answers to common questions about acceptance, signatures, notarization, and recordkeeping for the Thesis Proposal/Comprehensive Exam Form.

Need help? Contact support

Can I sign electronically?
Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act and state UETA statutes; confirm your university’s policy on eSignatures and any additional institutional authentication requirements.
Is notarization ever required?
Most academic proposal forms do not require notarization. If your department or graduate school requests notarization, follow their instructions and state notary rules, or use Remote Online Notarization if accepted.
What happens if a signature is missing?
Missing signatures typically result in administrative return and re-submission. Collect all signatures in the required order to avoid processing delays.
Can committee members sign in any order?
Some institutions require a specific signing order; configure online routing sequentially to meet those rules and prevent incomplete approval chains.
How do I include IRB or other approvals?
Attach institutional approvals such as IRB or IACUC documents to the form at submission. Label exhibits clearly to help administrative review.
How long are records kept?
Retention policies vary; keep completed forms for the active program term plus recommended institutional minimums, and follow HIPAA or IRS retention rules if applicable.

Explore Templates

Product Agreement International Travel Release Hold Harmless Copyright License Agreement Addendum to Agreement Dated August 12, 2003 Notice of Termination Due to Work Rules Violation Disputed Account Settlement

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now