Program Goals

Students in the Interdisciplinary PhD program will acquire:

• Grounding in the primary and co-disciplines
• The ability to integrate the principles and theories of each of the disciplines
• The ability to effectively communicate findings and approaches to solving interdisciplinary research problems
• Research skills in each discipline such as approaches, methods, ethical principles, and tools to pursue a research line of inquiry
• The ability to form effective teams with diverse scholars across disciplines to solve novel research questions

Mission and Philosophy

The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program at University of Missouri-Kansas City prepares the students to investigate some of the most complex and pressing problems of the world today through independent research that integrates two or more disciplines perspectives and methodologies. Because of its focus on collaboration, problem-solving, boundary-crossing, academic excellence, and innovation, the mission of this program reinforces the UMKC’s core values: Discovery and Innovation; Education First; Integrity and Accountability; Diversity; Inclusiveness and Respect; and Energized Collaborative Communities.

Program Core Values and Attributes

The core values and program attributes for the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program are:

Learning is enhanced by a search for knowledge across discipline boundaries. Therefore, the program:

• Is student-centered
• Enables students to acquire the skills of interdisciplinary scholarship and research
• Broadens students’ exposure to multiple academic fields.

Interdisciplinary research draws on discipline-based knowledge, generating integrated solutions to problems that cross discipline boundaries. Therefore, the program:

• Is problem-oriented
• Integrates the attributes of a broad-based interdisciplinary approach with the grounding of a traditional academic focus
• Provides a solid grounding in theories, concepts and methodologies of two or more disciplines

Learning thrives in an environment open to a diversity of ideas, cultural backgrounds, discipline perspectives, and approaches to problems. Therefore, the program:

• Instills an appreciation of different disciplines
• Integrates the disciplinary perspectives to give students the methodological and theoretical tools to thrive in a wide range of scholarly and professional environments

Society derives great benefit from collaborative efforts that transcend discipline boundaries to solve problems. Therefore, the program:

• Prepares individuals to be multi-functional; to combine disparate skills to solve problems
• Provides opportunities for individuals to gain skills in working within a collaborative environment

Student Learning Outcomes

Student performance in the program will measured by the following learning outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate a thorough degree of knowledge in the primary discipline and co-discipline.
• Students will demonstrate interdisciplinarity in their writing by integrating methods, theories, paradigms, concepts, etc. from more than one discipline.
• Students will demonstrate an ability to use proper investigation techniques for their chosen disciplines.
• Students will effectively use oral and written forms of communication to convey their ideas.

Flowchart through the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program

Satisfactory Progress Policy for Interdisciplinary Ph.D. students