The UMKC Graduate Academic Regulations establish the maximum timeline for academic progress (see policy KC-ACA-3786) and ineligibility due to unsatisfactory progress or performance (see policy KC-ACA-3741). The satisfactory progress of doctoral students in the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program is assessed annually by a student's primary doctoral mentor, discipline coordinator, supervisory committee (when appropriate) and the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program director on the basis of academic performance, as well as by meeting the various deadlines for language examinations, qualifying and comprehensive examinations, dissertation proposal defense, and any other discipline specified requirements.  

A student who fails to maintain satisfactory progress will be advised in writing by the Discipline Coordinator and the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program Director of the corrective steps needed, the timeline for meeting those steps, and apprised of the consequences of failing to take those steps. Failure to satisfactorily take corrective action by the established timeline could result in a recommendation by the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program Director to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies for program dismissal and ineligibility for further graduate study. A student who fails to maintain satisfactory progress may also lose eligibility for financial aid or funding (e.g., assistantship, fellowship).

A student can be classified as "not making satisfactory progress" and recommended for possible dismissal at any point in their academic training, regardless of whether they are within the maximum time constraints outlined in the UMKC Graduate Academic Regulations.

Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress and are consequently recommended for dismissal and ineligibility for further study have the right to submit documentation to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies for review and consideration when determining the student’s eligibility status.  Per the UMKC graduate academic regulations, students have the right to appeal the Graduate Dean’s decision to the Provost.