The graduate program is flexible and innovative in its tailoring to the interests and needs of the graduate student. Both a thesis and non-thesis option are available for the master's degree program. In addition, the program allows students to enroll on either a part-time or full-time basis. The typical length of study for the thesis track is two years. Entering students will begin coursework in the Fall semester. An innovative distance education option allows the candidate the prestige of a graduate education with the convenience of online technology. Interested candidates are advised to consult with the program director.

The curriculum is designed to provide meaningful academic experiences and activities for each graduate student as matched with program coursework offerings, facilities and resources. Typical courses for the graduate program depend on the graduate student's area of concentration. A classroom and clinical teaching area of concentration includes classroom and clinical student teaching with dental hygiene and dental students, curriculum concepts and practicum, special problems in dental hygiene, principles of testing, introduction to research methodology, biostatistics, periodontics and local anesthesia. A wide variety of electives may be chosen from those offered in the School of Dentistry, the Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration, the School of Education, the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Nursing or any other academic unit at UMKC.

The School of Dentistry provides an ideal environment for graduate students to interact with clinical and basic science dental faculty and other advanced-education specialty students for an exchange of ideas, knowledge and resources. In addition, graduate dental hygiene students actively participate in lectures, seminars, and practical and independent study that address their needs and interests for their future careers.

Graduate students are required to design and conduct a research project in fulfillment of their research requirement for both the thesis and non-thesis options of the program. This is accomplished under the supervision of a research advisory committee. Basic knowledge and skills in conducting research are gained through research coursework offered both in the School of Dentistry and on the UMKC campus. Funding for graduate student research is often available from the Dental School Rinehart Foundation, as well as other external funding sources.