Apply to Pardee RAND
Make a strategic decision
At the Pardee RAND Graduate School, we welcome exceptional students who come from diverse personal and academic backgrounds. Our multidisciplinary Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) programs focus on policy analysis and the ways it can shape our world.
Pardee RAND is backed by the brainpower and resources of the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis.
Our students work side-by-side with RAND experts as members of interdisciplinary research teams, creating a real impact on policy while earning their degree. Our students graduate with a deep analytic toolkit, knowing they are ready to tackle the hardest policy challenges—because they already have!
Degree Programs
M.Phil. in Policy Analysis
- 21 months to completion
- 15 units of coursework plus experiential learning tutorials
- 150 days of work on interdisciplinary RAND projects
Ph.D. in Policy Analysis
- 5 years average time to completion
- 18 units of coursework
- 2+ years of full-time research project experience
- Focus on research methods, community partnerships, or technology
- Policy-relevant dissertation
What We Look for in Our Applicants
All applicants must:
- be available to participate in our full-time combined research-and-study program at RAND’s headquarters in Santa Monica, California
- have completed a bachelor’s degree; an advanced degree and/or some work experience is desired for Ph.D. applicants
- demonstrate strong quantitative skills, although all majors and disciplines welcome
Our students are driven to change the world. Does that describe you?
Learn more about what we look for in an ideal candidate »Application Requirements
- An online application
- Resume or CV
- Two essays to understand your motivations to work in the field of policy analysis (three essays for the Ph.D.)
- Test scores on the GRE or GMAT optional; TOEFL or English proficiency test for some international students
- Three letters of recommendation
- School transcripts
Receive early feedback on your candidacy
If you are interested in receiving preliminary feedback on your candidacy prior to investing your time in the 2022 admissions process, please consider submitting a pre-application.
Learn More!
Watch our admissions webinars
Each fall, our special virtual programming brings our community to you. Watch our faculty, alumni, and student ambassadors describe their experiences and share their perspectives on the program.
Request recordings