The Department of Native Studies Ph.D. program is based on the interdisciplinary approaches to research and scholarship that have been developed by Native Studies over the years in its curriculum overall. These include an emphasis on Indigenous scholarship (particularly the scholarship of Indigenous academics), Indigenous epistemologies, a strong ethical commitment to Indigenous rural and urban communities, and a high regard for peer review processes.

All doctoral students will be required to complete 12 credit hours of course work at the 7000 level, beyond the course work they may have completed for a Master's degree (or its equivalent) plus 6 credit hours in an Aboriginal language if this requirement has not already been satisfied (see below). A minimum of 50% of the required 12 credit hours must be completed within the Native Studies department. Additional course work may be selected from courses approved by the Native Studies Graduate Committee. In addition, students must fulfill a residence requirement of at least one academic year devoted to full-time study at the University of Manitoba.

The Ph.D. option consists of coursework and a substantial research component.