Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Policy Analysis
Photo by Diane Baldwin/RAND
Get in the know. Now.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Act now: Deadline for Fall 2025 is December 5
- Generous scholarships available, including full tuition for first year
- Earn a research fellowship of more than $30,000 per year
- Graduate with nearly two years of real-world research experience
“The methodological skills I learned while at Pardee RAND, the interdisciplinary approach to problem solving, and the focus on impactful policy research were and continue to be the hallmarks of the RAND graduate program. And those elements have been foundational to my work.”
Alum Cheryl Damberg
Why You Should Apply
Policy is at the center of driving positive and lasting change. At Pardee RAND Graduate School, we recognize the need for advanced education and training in policy analysis to address complex global challenges. Students in our Ph.D. program develop a deep understanding of policy analysis and its role in shaping policy decisions. Our program is designed to challenge students to think critically and creatively about complex policy issues, while also providing them with the tools and resources needed to conduct cutting-edge research.
Through the Pardee RAND Ph.D. in Policy Analysis, you will
- Learn from the Experts: Our professors are RAND policy experts deeply embedded in real-world decision-making circles. They are in the room where critical decisions happen and bring their unparalleled practical experience into your class.
- Experience a Think Tank Environment: We are the only graduate school integrated with a think tank. Unlike traditional academia, our program is tailored to help solve the world's greatest problems through an interdisciplinary curriculum.
- Conduct Real-World Research: Participate in real-world research though on-the-job training to gain hands-on experience with policy issues happening now.
- Make a Bigger Impact: Graduate with in-demand skills from an institution with a global reputation for excellence and a trusted network of leading experts.
- Receive Generous Scholarships and Fellowships: Students receive full-tuition scholarships in their first year, and $30,000 or more per year in subsequent years. Additionally, students can earn $30,000 or more each year through their research fellowship to offset tuition and provide a living stipend.
Our program is designed to provide you with a comprehensive, rigorous, and intensive education that empowers you to create meaningful change through thoughtful policy.
Curriculum
Students take a total of 18 units of core and elective courses.
Core Coursework (required, 8 units)
- Designing Empirical Research
- Ethics in Theory, Policy, and Practice
- Microeconomic Theory I*
- Microeconomic Theory II
- Perspectives of Policy Analysis
- Policy Making in Complex Environments
- Statistics for Policy Analysis I*
- Statistics for Policy Analysis II*
- Technology and Society
*Students may waive out of Microeconomic Theory I, Statistics for Policy Analysis I, and Statistics for Policy Analysis II if they pass an exam at the start of the program. They will need to take another course (or courses) to fulfill the total unit requirements.
Modeling Human Systems Distribution (2 units required; select from electives on the following topics)
- Computational modeling
- Economic modeling
- Operations research
- Qualitative modeling
Empirical Analysis Distribution (2 units required; select from electives on the following topics)
- Comparative historical analysis
- Econometrics
- Machine learning
- Social network analysis
- Statistics
- Survey analysis
- Text analysis
Electives (6 units, not including Distribution requirements noted above)
Sample electives* include:
- Advanced Econometrics
- Behavioral Economics
- Big Data Applications
- Cost Benefit and Cost Effectiveness Analysis
- Economic Development
- Engaging Communities in Research
- Game Theory
- Intersectionality of Policy
- Introduction to Data Science
- Issues of Modern Labor Economics
- Operations Research
- Performance Measurement
- Principles of Client-Centered Policy Analysis
- Program Evaluation
- Qualitative and Mixed Methods
- Robust Decision Making
- Social Network Analysis
- Survey Design
Students may choose electives that allow them to pursue one or more analytic concentrations.
*Availability of electives may change from year to year; students may also enroll in graduate-level courses at the UCLA Luskin School, per availability and approval.
View our complete Course Catalog Compare our degree programsOJT: What Makes Us Unique
Pardee RAND Graduate School stands out from other programs by requiring Ph.D students to complete 300 days of on-the-job training (OJT) as part of their degree. This experiential learning opportunity allows students to work on real-world research projects, both at RAND and with external partners. During the first year of the program, students have weekly mentoring sessions to support their experiential learning.
As active members of multidisciplinary RAND project teams, students engage in research and data analysis while gaining a deep understanding of the role analysis plays in solving complex policy problems. This "learning by doing" approach provides students with hands-on experience and prepares them to make meaningful contributions to the field of policy analysis.
Learn more about OJTSample Schedule
The following is an example of the course and on-the-job training mix that students can expect over the first two years of our program. Actual schedules may vary based on course availability and student preferences.
Students often start their OJT during the fall quarter of their first year. Many students also choose to work on OJT during the summer.
Year 1
Fall
OJT Days
- Perspectives on Policy Analysis
- Microeconomic Theory I
- Math for Policy Analysis
Winter
OJT Days
- Designing Empirical Research
- Statistics for Policy Analysis I
- Microeconomic Theory II
Spring
OJT Days
- Ethics in Theory, Policy, and Practice
- Policymaking in Complex Environments
- Statistics for Policy Analysis II
- Technology and Society
Year 2
Fall
OJT Days
- Applied Statistics for Policy Analysis
- Data Visualization
- Principles of Client Oriented Policy Analysis
- Robust Decision Making
- Dissertation Workshop
Winter
OJT Days
- Cost Benefit and Cost Effectiveness Analysis
- Introduction to Machine Learning
- Engaging Communities in Research
- Social Network Analysis
- Dissertation Workshop
Spring
OJT Days
- Energy Markets
- Analyzing Text with Computers
- Issues in Modern Labor Economics
- R Programming for Scientific Analysis
- Dissertation Workshop
Years 3+
As part of the Ph.D. program, students are required to develop, write, and defend a policy-relevant dissertation. The process begins in the second year of the program with a year-long dissertation workshop (noted above) designed to help students launch their ideas. During the workshop, students work closely with a faculty member and their cohort peers to identify pressing policy problems, develop research questions, and explore ways to address the issue. This collaborative process allows students to gain valuable feedback and support as they refine their research ideas.
Students may also continue to take courses in years 3+, and most participate in OJT to earn a research fellowship.
Career Paths After Pardee RAND
Employers highly value Pardee RAND graduates for their intellectual agility, research experience, and ability to apply analytical tools and methodologies to a variety of policy problems. Graduates with international backgrounds also benefit from Pardee RAND's STEM designation.
- Policy Analyst
- Professor
- Data Scientist
- Economist
- Research Associate
- Program Evaluator
- Consultant
- Program Officer
- Policy Researcher
- Executive Director
- Methodologist
- Policy Advisor
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions we've received related to our Ph.D. Our Admissions FAQs page includes additional questions and answers related to the admissions process for all our programs.
Most Pardee RAND courses are taught in person. Classes are offered on weekdays and are taught by faculty based in Santa Monica, Washington, and elsewhere. A few courses are taught remotely or hybrid.
View our Course CatalogFull-time tuition is $50,000. Students receive a full-tuition scholarship in their first year and up to $35,000 per year in subsequent years. Additionally, students can earn a research fellowship of more than $30,000 each year based on the RAND work they do.
Learn more about funding your degreeOur application process is easy!
- We do not require GRE or other test scores!
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Upload your resume
- Share your (unofficial) transcript(s)
- Provide a short statement of interest
Ph.D. students take a series of exams after completing their core coursework to assess their knowledge of policy analysis.
Class sizes vary but are generally small, ranging from a few students up to 30.
Pardee RAND has the distinction of being the only policy school in the United States based at a public policy research institute. Working on interdisciplinary research teams at RAND is an academic requirement of the Ph.D. (and M.Phil.) degree. Students gain practical experience through this on-the-job training, or OJT, and the work helps fund their research fellowship.
Learn more about OJTApproximately 75 percent of entering Ph.D. students successfully complete the program. This is quite high – comparable to or better than the completion rate at other top universities.
Learn more about Ph.D. graduation ratesWhile hiring decisions are made by RAND's Global Research Talent departments, the Ph.D. program provides significant exposure to RAND research through OJT that can be beneficial for future opportunities.
The Ph.D. is STEM-designated, as is the M.Phil.
Learn more about our STEM designation