Apply for the Master of National Security Policy
The application for fall 2025 will be available starting in October.
Admissions Deadlines
| Deadline | Notification | Decision Due |
|---|---|---|
| December 5, 2024 | Early February | April 15, 2025 |
| January 23, 2025 | Mid-March | April 15, 2025 |
| April 3, 2025 | Early June | Early July |
| June 12, 2025 | Mid-July | Mid-August |
Early applicants are more likely to receive consideration for scholarships, as funds are typically allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Rolling admissions will continue throughout the summer, space permitting.
MNSP Application Components
The application for fall 2025 will be available starting in October.
Sign up to be notified when our application is open.
We require one letter of recommendation, which can come from an academic or professional source.
The letter should address the following:
- The applicant's interest in national security as a career/field
- Intellectual ability and potential for future growth
- Preparation and aptitude
For all academic institutions since high school where you earned or are currently earning a degree, upload unofficial transcripts from each. Transcripts must include all courses taken, grades received, and degrees conferred.
If a transcript lacks degree conferral information, provide separate documentation or a photo/photocopy of your diploma.
For transcripts in languages other than English, provide an exact English translation, including courses, grades, and degrees. Combine the transcript and translation into one document for upload. Certified translations are not required at the application stage.
If you are admitted and accept the offer, you must send final, official transcripts for all degree-granting institutions, along with certified translations for any non-English documents.
Please upload a resume that highlights your
- Academic background
- Work experience, including dates of employment and principal responsibilities
- Research, technical, computer, and other skillsets
Please explain your motivation for pursuing a Master of National Security Policy at Pardee RAND and how this program will help achieve your career goals. (Limit: 750 words)
Optional Statement
If there is any information about your background that you were not able to provide elsewhere, please include it here. Your response does not have to be in the form of a formal essay. Brief explanations on multiple topics are okay. (Limit: 300 words)
In an effort to support prospective students, we have waived the application fee for the MNSP program this year.
Additional Components for Accepted Candidates
Accepted international applicants will be required to submit “Proof of Funds,” or documentation that they have sufficient funds to cover the first year of their stay in the U.S. (one year of academic and living expenses), before a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20) will be issued. The Form I-20 is used to apply for a U.S. student visa.
Learn moreStudents who are accepted into the program will be contacted by RAND to complete a background check required of all Pardee RAND students. A conviction is not necessarily a bar to enrollment and all circumstances are considered. For more information or additional questions contact RAND Human Resources at rand-hr@rand.org.
Standardized Test Scores (GRE or GMAT)
If you choose to submit a GRE or GMAT score for your 2024 application, you must have taken the test after July 1, 2019 (GRE) or September 1, 2019 (GMAT). Home editions of the tests are valid. If you took the test more than once, include the highest score you received for each section, even if from different test dates.
We ask that you upload your unofficial score report, which can be a downloaded PDF of your test taker score report or a scanned personal copy of the official score report. If you are admitted and accept our offer, you will be required to submit your official score report.
English Language Proficiency Exam Results
For international students whose native language is not English and who have not studied at least two years at a higher education institution where courses are taught in English, we require an English language proficiency exam.
Scores are required from one of the following approved English language proficiency tests*:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Language Test System)
- PTE Academic (Pearson English Language Test)
*The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, TOEFL ITP for China, or IELTS Indicator may be used to fulfill the English requirement.
Pardee RAND requires non-native English speaking applicants to receive an overall score of at least 100 on the TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS, or 68 on the PTE Academic. Sub scores indicated must be from the same test administration.
To be valid for the 2024 application, you must have taken the test after September 1, 2022.
Upload your unofficial score report. This can be a downloaded PDF of your test taker score report or a scanned personal copy of the official score report. If you are admitted and accept our offer, you will be required to submit your official score report if you had not done so already.
English Language Exemption
If you are an international applicant, you are exempted from the English language proficiency requirement if either of the following applies:
- You hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a university located in the United States or other English-speaking country where courses are taught in English, or
- You have completed at least two years of full-time study at a higher education institution where courses are taught in English.
The information you provide in the application will make it clear that you have the requisite language skills; you do not need to request an exemption.