Applicants to UMKC's Ph.D. program must meet both general and discipline-specific criteria for admission, endorsed by the doctoral faculty review groups within the chosen disciplines. Upon approval by the graduate dean, students are admitted to the School of Graduate Studies, which oversees their progress, enforces program regulations, and facilitates communication.

Each student collaborates with UMKC doctoral faculty to develop a tailored program of study that aligns with their professional goals and research interests, satisfying specific requirements within their discipline.

The program aims to equip students with:

• A solid foundation in their chosen fields.
• The ability to integrate principles and theories from multiple disciplines.
• Effective communication skills for interdisciplinary research.
• Research proficiency in various approaches, methods, ethics, and tools.
• The capability to investigate innovative research endeavors.

The participating programs cover a range of areas including Administrative and Information Sciences, Biological and Chemical Sciences, Education, Humanities and Arts, and Physical, Mathematical, Engineering, and Computer Sciences.

Admission is competitive, and enrollment is limited to students committed to advanced study and scholarship. Students must fulfill a residency requirement and develop a Plan of Study proposal within 24 months of admission, guided by their supervisory committee. The final phases of the program entail significant research, completion of a written dissertation, and a successful oral defense of the research work.