Frequently Asked Questions About Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Studies at UMKC
FAQ Index
What scholarship/fellowships do you offer?
The School of Graduate Studies offers a variety of scholarships and fellowships. You are invited to apply to all for which you are eligible. You will also want to check with the faculty coordinator in you disciplines to see if there are other scholarships/fellowships available. Click here for a listing of the fellowships/scholarships offered through the School of Graduate Studies as well as a listing of some potential external fellowships.
Who should I contact for research/teaching assistantships?
Contact the faculty coordinator in either you coordinating or co-discipline to inquire about assistantships.
As part of the application information requested, you are asked whether you want or need financial support. If you request financial support, that request will be communicated to the faculty of the disciplines that you choose.
Some disciplines which require full-time laboratory research will automatically provide stipend and tuition support. For other disciplines you must explicitly request support from the faculty in the discipline or from the chosen Research Advisor.
How, when and where do I apply for Financial Aid?
To get the most current and accurate information about applying for financial aid please go to the UMKC Financial Aid home page.
See the School of Graduate Studies' Fellowships page for information about UMKC sponsored Fellowships or help in identify external funding sources. See the School of Graduate Studies' Graduate Teaching Assistants page for information about UMKC sponsored Assistantships
Does the University provide adult/married student housing?
UMKC’s Twin Oaks Apartments provides housing for all types of UMKC students. To the extent possible, the management staff seeks to place graduate students and students with families in proximity to each other. A number of families with children live in the apartment complex. A school bus picks up school-aged children in front of the complex.
The Twin Oaks community assistants plan activities for all Twin Oaks residents. All activities are open to all residents, however, many activities are planned with families in mind (i.e. Easter egg hunts, Valentine making, Thanksgiving potluck, cooking contest, puzzle contest, game night, puppet show to name a few).
Security is a primary consideration of the Residential Life Department (which manages UMKC Twin Oaks Apartments). There is a police sub-station located in Twin Oaks, as well as security rounds throughout every night.
For more information, please call (816)235-8946 (TWIN), or email at twinoaks@umkc.edu
What graduate student activities, committees are available on campus?
Students in the interdisciplinary PhD program are automatically members of the Doctoral Student Association. This association is supported by the student activity fees you pay each semester and provides opportunities for all students in the doctoral program including the opportunity for travel support to professional conferences and the use of laptop computers. Please click for more information about the DSA.
Other student activities, committees and other opportunities on campus include.
Student Government Association: Senate
The Student Government Association provides an orderly method of government representative of all students that acts on the will of the majority while protecting the interest of the minority and stands for all students of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in all matters that concern them.
The Student Senate shall consist of two members from each council, including the Doctoral Student Association, where at least one of whom must be elected by his/her divisional council. Senate meetings occur twice a month on Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm. Please contact SGA at (816) 235-1426 to submit the two Senators and their contact information that will be representing the Doctoral Student Association.
How do I arrange a campus visit?
A campus visit can be arranged by contacting the Welcome Center:
UMKC Welcome Center
welcome@umkc.edu
toll-free 1-800-775-UMKC (8652)
Local 816-235-UMKC (8652)
URL: http://www.umkc.edu/welcome.
What is my first step in the application process?
It is critical that when you submit your application that you have already talked with faculty in the disciplines you have selected to be sure that you are applying to the disciplines that you really want and that UMKC has the faculty expertise and resources to meet your needs. Therefore, your first step is to contact the Associate Dean in the School of Graduate Studies to get general information about the program and know who are your faculty contacts. Then your second step will be to contact the faculty coordinators in your proposed areas of study. When you meet with these faculty be prepared to discuss your goals for obtaining the PhD degree and how studying in these chosen disciplines will help you meet your goals. The faculty coordinators may give you names of other faculty that you need to meet with prior to submitting your application. Be sure that you follow through with all faculty contacts prior to submitting your application materials.
Where do I find application forms and instructions ?
All application instructions and forms are OnLine.
In case you cannot use the preferred OnLine application, you will be given the option to print application forms and mail them.
Are there separate applications forms for the Interdisciplinary PhD Program?
No – there is only one application form to use when applying to the PhD program in Interdisciplinary Studies with the exception of the Health Psychology discipline that requires a supplemental form in addition to the application form required for the doctoral program.
If you are a US resident, the application fee is $35.00.
If you are applying as an international student, the application fee is $50.00. If you have already paid the application fee and received a degree from UMKC you do not have to pay the application fee again.
What is the application deadline?
Application deadlines vary depending upon the disciplines that you have selected for your coordinating or co-disciplines. Click hereto see the deadlines for your disciplines. If the deadlines for the 2 disciplines are different, be sure your materials are received by the earliest deadline.
What is a Narrative Statement?
The narrative statement is part of the application materials where you have the opportunity to communicate to the faculty review committees what your goals for obtaining the doctoral degree and how the disciplines you have selected will help you meet those goals. Also, a part of the narrative statement is a brief summary of you previous experience both work and educational, that has prepared you for beginning the doctoral program.
Does the writing sample have to be something I have recently written or something that I wrote as a student?
The writing sample can be a document that you have written either as a student or in as part of your work requirements and it does not have to be something that has been recently written. Many applicants who have completed a master’s degree will use their thesis. Other applicants will include different types of manuals from their work where they were the primary writer. If you have had a manuscript published in a professional journal you may want to submit that for your writing sample. The purpose for submitting a writing sample is to document to the faculty review committees that your writing skills are sufficient for participation in doctoral education. As you may know, writing is a major activity in doctoral studies and without adequate writing skills; it will be very difficult to successfully complete the program
What is a Faculty Sponsor form?
A few of the disciplines participating in the interdisciplinary doctoral program require the applicant to have a faculty sponsor at the time the application for admission is reviewed. This faculty sponsor is a faculty who has similar research interest as yours and who have agreed, that is you are admitted to the program, they will be able to serve as the chair of your supervisory committee. As part of the early application process you will contact the faculty coordinator in your selected disciplines. This faculty coordinator will discuss with you your research interest and then recommend several faculty for you to contact. After meeting with the different faculty who share your research interest you will identify one faculty that you would like to be.
I haven’t been in school for several years and out of contact with former faculty. Can I use employers, etc. to give recommendations?
One thing to remember when you are deciding who you want to provide references for you, what will the faculty review committees be looking for in those references. So if there are other people who are not previous faculty that you have worked with, then be sure you select someone that can talk about your characteristics and skills that are often equated with success in doctoral education. Specifically you want someone who can provide insight to your skills and abilities in being a self-directed learner, you motivation for and commitment to education, and you ability to set goals and meet them. If there is someone from your place of employment, particularly a supervisor, that can provide information related to these skills and abilities then yes they ask them to write a reference for you.
When will I receive an admission decision?
The goal of the School of Graduate Studies is that all admission decisions will be made within one month of the application deadline. If you have not heard from us by that time, please contact the Coordinator for Admissions, Ms. Quincy Bennett, and she will be able to let you know the status of your application.
Can my admission to the Program be updated to another semester?
Usually, your application can by updated to begin another semester if needed. However, that update cannot be made automatically. You need to request the update. The Coordinator of Admissions in the School of Graduate Studies will contact the faculty coordinators in your disciplines to get approval for the update. Sometimes, if you were being offered a fellowship/assistantship or if the disciplines are limited to the number of students they can admit each semester your request may not be approved.
Where do I find contact information?
If you have yet to start an application, go to Apply Online and pick your area and level of graduate study: you will be given contact information for the School of Graduate Studies, and for faculty and administrators in the I.Ph.D. disciplines of choice.
If you have started your application, LogIn at Review Application and select "Contact Information" under Action Options.
The General GRE Test (quantitative, verbal and analytical writing test) is generally required for admission to any graduate program.
Some disciplines will accept other test results, often related to professional accomplishments such as National Board Examinations. Contact faculty in the chosen discipline(s) to learn whether tests other than the GRE will be acceptable
Are minimal GRE test scores required for admission ?
Contact the faculty of your intended disciplines.
Some disciplines require minimal GRE test scores such as a combined score of 1000 for the quantitative and verbal results (maximum 1600) and a score of 4 for the analytical writing test (maximum 6).
Other disciplines have less explicit numerical admission criteria.
Must I take a Subject GRE Test ?
The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program does not require a Subject Test.
What are Institutional/Department codes for GRE/TOEFL?
The GRE and TOEFL Testing Agency requires Institutional and Department codes to inform us of your test results.
The Institution code for UMKC is 6872.
Departmental Codes are listed on the ETS site under "Departmental Codes".
Can I use a credit card to pay the application fee?
Not yet. UMKC currently requires the $35 application fee (effective July 1, 2003) for domestic applicants or the $50 application fee for foreign applicants by check or money order.
Once secure OnLine credit card payments become possible, they will be part of the OnLine application process.
What are the rules for sending official transcripts to UMKC?
UMKC needs to receive official transcripts in a sealed envelope of the sending institution. You can enclose that sealed letter when you send us application forms by mail OR you can ask the sending institution to send it to us directly to the mail address below.
How should Letters of Reference be sent to UMKC?
Instructions for Applicants
The Graduate Admissions Committee uses references as one means to obtain an independent assessment of your capabilities, experience, and your determination for the chosen degree program.
As a courtesy, print out the Reference Form and provide your writer with a pre-addressed envelope (Use mail address below). Inform your reference that they should sign their letter and mail the letter directly and not return it to you.
In case a Letter of Reference is given to you, you may enclose it when you mail your application to us. However, the letter, signed by the writer, must be submitted in its original, sealed envelope.
You are required to tell your letter writer whether you have retained the right to read their letter once it has been entered into your student file or whether you have waived the right to access their letter. This choice is your free choice but it may affect the information or style of the letter submitted.
Who are appropriate references?
Likely candidates are your professors and faculty advisors. You may also consider others, such as employers, that can assess your qualities in ways that your professors can not. Letters from family members are not appropriate.
When selecting 3 references, keep in mind that each should be able to provide the Graduate Admissions Committee with an assessment of your capabilities, experience, personality and your determination for the chosen degree program. Inform them what you expect them to address. Emphasize that they should write an assessment of you that allows an appropriate admission decision to be reached
Instructions for References
The writer may chose how a Letter of Reference will be submitted:
• using the Reference Form
• using a letter designed by the writer
If the writer choses to send a letter, please include:
• the name and address of the applicant
• whether the applicant retains or waives the right to read the letter
• the full name and address of the writer including phone number
• For purposes of comparative assessment of applicants, we ask that the writer address the questions raised in the Letter of Reference form.
Note that the Letter of Reference form offers the opportunity to insert any personal Letter, recommendation or extended statement.
The School of Graduate Studies thanks each writer of a Letter of Reference for one of its applicants for their effort and help.
Mail should be sent to:
Graduate Programs
School of Graduate Studies, Room 340 AC
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499, USA
The Recommendation Form is available on-line.
If sending by mail, ask your letter writer to send it directly to us to the address below OR enclose the sealed letter of reference (signed across the seal) when you send your application forms to us by mail.
What mailing address should I use?
US citizens and Residents: Send all mail to:
School of Graduate Studies
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499, USA
International applicants: Send all mail to:
International Student Affairs Office
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499, USA
What is the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program?
The world of the future will require scholars with a global approach to problem solving. It will no longer be enough to know one area, one discipline, or one field of study. Inquiry and discovery are crossing disciplines. With this in mind, the mission of the PhD. Program in Interdisciplinary Studies is to span traditional boundaries among disciplines while helping students develop knowledge and skills for independent research on the fundamental questions of the present and the future. Prospective students must be admitted to at least two disciplines (Coordinating and Co-Discipline). We offer 26 Coordinating discipline choices and 27 Co-Discipline choices.
Do I need a master’s degree before beginning a PhD program?
Many disciplines in the interdisciplinary doctoral program do admit student for doctoral study as post baccalaureate graduates.
Some disciplines admit you with a baccalaureate but enter you initially into a master’s program for a period of time.
Some disciplines have admission requirements such as clinical or business experience that you can acquire only through working in the profession.
Click here to see which disciplines require the master’s degree
What are coordinating and co-disciplines?
The coordinating discipline is the primary area of study that a student selects. This is usually determined based on the student having previous academic degrees in that discipline, professional experience in the area and the student plans to pursue positions in this discipline post-graduation. A maximum of 60% of the student’s plan of study comes from coursework in this discipline
The co-discipline is the secondary area of study. This discipline adds breadth to the coordinating discipline by broadening the students’ perspective on issues, research questions and problem solving abilities. The students usually develop expertise in one focused area within the discipline. A minimum of 40% of the student’s plan of study comes from coursework in the co-discipline.
Can I apply for more than one coordinating and co-discipline?
You can apply for more than 2 disciplines as the coordinating and co-disciplines. Typically, a student may select 2 – 3 co-disciplines but only one coordinating discipline. Remember, you are held accountable for all program requirements for each discipline that you select. It is very possible to add coursework from another discipline which you may need to meet your educational goals and have faculty from that discipline serve on your supervisory committee without having that discipline as a co-discipline.
What are the residency requirements?
For the interdisciplinary doctoral program you must complete 21 credit hours in an 18 month period. It is your decision when to begin meeting the residency requirements. As you are developing your Plan of Study with your supervisory committee this is one issue that you will discuss and work into your Plan of Study.
What is an interim advisor and how is the person identified?
Once admitted to the program, you will be assigned an interim advisor for both your coordinating and co-disciplines. This advisor in your coordinating discipline will work with you during your first year to help identify coursework and to help you in identifying a faculty member who should serve as your Supervisory Committee Chair. For some disciplines your interim advisor will also be your Supervisory Chair. The interim advisor for the co-discipline will also help you identify courses to be taken your first year and assist you in identifying a faculty member in that discipline who should serve on your supervisory committee.
How do I identify my supervisory committee?
The first step in forming your committee is to identify your chair – if not already determined at that time of your admission. Your Supervisory Chair is typically a faculty member whose expertise is in your chosen area of study in your coordinating discipline. Once this faculty has agreed to serve as your chair, he/she will meet with you to identify potential members for the committee. At least one faculty from the co-discipline must also be a member of this committee. It works best for you, if you identify your chair and identify a faculty from your co-discipline and the 3 of you meet to identify the remainder of your committee. Faculty are selected to be on your committee based on the needs your have for your program of study and/or dissertation. For example, you may need to select a statistician to be on your committee if none of the other faculty have that as an area of expertise, or you may need a faculty to be on your committee with an expertise in the research method you plan to use for your dissertation.
How many coursework and dissertation hours are required?
Because the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program is a self-directed program, the number of hours needed to complete the program will vary from student to student. However, each student is, minimally, expected to complete 30 coursework hours and 12 dissertation hours.
How long do I have to complete the Ph.D. ?
That depends on a number of factors:
Admitted with a Baccalaureate degree, you have maximally 5 years to achieve "Candidacy" by passing a Comprehensive Examination.
Admitted with a Master's degree, you have maximally 4 years to achieve "Candidacy" by passing a Comprehensive Examination.
Having reached "Candidacy", you have maximally 5 years to write and defend your doctoral dissertation.
How long does typically take to complete the PhD degree?
Again, the time varies depending on your disciplines of study and whether or not you have a master’s degree at the time you enter the program. On the average it takes a student in the PhD program in interdisciplinary studies attending full-time 4 – 5 years to complete all the degree requirements. For student’s attending school part-time can typically takes 6 -7 years to complete all the degree requirements. Full time enrollment in the doctoral program is 9 credit hours in the Fall and Spring Semesters and 6 credit hours in the summer.
Can classes be attended on a part-time basis, in the evening or on weekends?
Depending on the disciplines selected, students can attend classes on a part-time basis, many of which are held in the evening. A few disciplines do offer weekend courses. Contact the faculty coordinator of your chosen discipline.
When does my Plan of Study have to be completed?
Unless otherwise approved by your coordinating discipline advisor, your program of study should be approved and on file in the School of Graduate Studies by the end of your first year in the program.
What is the annual evaluation and how do I complete it?
During the Spring Semester of each year, you will receive the annual evaluation form from the School of Graduate Studies. Once you receive this form, you need to complete the student section and then arrange a meeting with your advisors from both the coordinating and co-disciplines. Once you have gotten written feedback from both advisors and they have signed the form return the form to the School of Graduate Studies. If you don’t return the form by the beginning of Fall Semester, a hold may be place on your enrollment; therefore, it is critical that you follow through with completing the form. If there are circumstance that prevent you from completing the form have the advisor from your coordinating unit contact us so that we can note that in your file and a hold isn’t placed on your enrollment.
What do I do when I’m ready to take my comprehensive exams?
To be eligible to take your comprehensive exams you must have completed the following:
Successful completion of all qualifying requirements and full admissions to the School of Graduate Studies
Appointment of a research advisor and supervisory committee
Filing and approval of the Ph.D. plan of study and completion of essentially all coursework or other study required for the degree.
Once you have met these requirements you need to complete the form APPLICATION FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY DOCTORAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION AND REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT OF EXAMINING COMMITTEE. When this form is completed return it to the School of Graduate Studies 30 days before you plan to take the exams. If you will take the exams for your co-discipline separately from the exams of your coordinating discipline you will need to complete the form for each set of exams. Your exam committee typically is the members of your Supervisory Committee. However, you may have a different committee appointed for your exams. Faculty appointed to the Comprehensive Exam Committee must have graduate faculty appointment.
What are my next steps after successfully completing my comprehensive exams?
Upon completion of your comprehensive exams, you need to have the form REPORT OF RESULTS OF INTERDISCIPLINARY PH.D. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION signed by each of the examination committee members. Once this form is received in the School of Graduate Studies, you will officially be notified of the results. If you successfully completed the exams, then your next step will be to get your dissertation proposal approved by your committee and on file in the School of Graduate Studies.
What do I need to do if I don’t plan to enroll for a semester?
If you find that you will not be able to enroll for a semester while you still have coursework to complete, discuss this with the advisor from your coordinating unit. If you miss more than one semester, you are considered inactive and will have to request to be readmitted to the program. Occasionally, students need to request a leave of absence. This leave of absence needs to be approved by your supervisory committee and will assure you placement in the program upon your return. Typically, leave of absences are for no more than one academic year.
How do I identify my supervisory committee?
The first step in forming your committee is to identify your chair – if not already determined at that time of your admission. Your Supervisory Chair is typically a faculty member whose expertise is in your chosen area of study in your coordinating discipline. Once this faculty has agreed to serve as your chair, he/she will meet with you to identify potential members for the committee. At least one faculty from the co-discipline must also be a member of this committee. It works best for you, if you identify your chair and identify a faculty from your co-discipline and the 3 of you meet to identify the remainder of your committee. Faculty are selected to be on your committee based on the needs your have for your program of student and/or dissertation. For example, you may need to select a statistician to be on your committee if none of the other faculty have that as an area of expertise, or you may need a faculty to be on your committee with an expertise in the research method you plan to use for your dissertation.
How many coursework and dissertation hours are required?
Because the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program is a self-directed program, the number of hours needed to complete the program will vary from student to student. However, each student is, minimally, expected to complete 30 coursework hours and 12 dissertation hours.