Welcome to the Pardee RAND Graduate School

Tomorrow’s toughest and most urgent problems need a new kind of problem solver. They need Pardee RAND — and you.

What Sets Us Apart

The Pardee RAND Graduate School in Santa Monica, California, is the nation’s largest public policy Ph.D. program. It’s also the only program based at an independent public policy research organization—the RAND Corporation.

  • Tools and Technology

    Acquire a wide range of data collection and analytic skills to address complex policy challenges, and harness technology to develop creative solutions.

    Learn more about Tools and Technology

  • Experience

    Gain two years of full-time policy research experience at the independent, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and develop a professional portfolio.

    Learn more about Experience

  • Real-World Impact

    Apply your expertise to research, inform, influence, and lead smart decisionmaking in diverse policy and research careers.

    Learn more about Real-World Impact

  • Freedom

    Graduate with little or no debt, thanks to generous scholarships and research fellowships that cover tuition and living expenses and let students work on RAND research of their choice.

    Learn more about Freedom

Join Us

Pardee RAND students share two attributes: a passion to help change the world for the better, and the discipline to master intellectual tools that will help them do so.

How to Apply

Pardee RAND Insights

The latest research, news, and events from students and faculty.

  • John Seely Brown

    Announcement

    Innovator John Seely Brown to Address Pardee RAND Graduates

    Jun 8, 2018

    John Seely Brown, independent co-chairman of Deloitte's Center for the Edge, member of the Amazon board of directors, and former chief scientist of XEROX and director of research and development hub PARC, will make the keynote address at the commencement exercises of the Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School in Santa Monica on June 16.

  • Aerial view of Miami, Florida

    Report

    Adapting to a Changing Climate in Southeast Florida

    Jun 6, 2018

    Florida's Miami-Dade and Broward counties are vulnerable to flooding and intrusion of saltwater into drinking water. These risks are driven by sea level rise, changes in precipitation, and urban development. Alum David Groves (cohort '01) and colleagues ask, how can the region adapt?

  • Pardee RAND Mental Health Week 2018, p201805_05, activities, yoga, tai chi, pet therapy, crafts, music, claire ohanlan, rushil zutshi, alexandra mendoza graf, etienne rosas

    Announcement

    Mental Health Week Helps Students Relax — or Rock Out

    Jun 6, 2018

    CoCom organized Pardee RAND's third annual Mental Health Awareness Week last month to help students decompress before finals. Activities included pet therapy, tai chi, massage, yoga, a picnic lunch and yes, a jam session.

  • A woman and two men in hard hats on a construction site

    Report

    Bridge to Opportunities: Connecting Probationers to High-Wage Jobs

    May 25, 2018

    Probation agencies face significant challenges to helping their clients find jobs, and earn living wages. Student Lisa Jonsson (cohort '14) and colleagues highlight one program in the construction industry that aimed to improve the earning potential of individuals on probation in Sacramento County, California.

Upcoming Events

Our Graduates at Work

Wang Helps School Foster Ties with China

With the support of alum Hui Wang (cohort '88), Dean Susan Marquis visited academic and nongovernmental institutions in China to establish and strengthen relationships with Pardee RAND. Wang is the outgoing alumni member of the Pardee RAND Board of Governors.

Learn more about Wang's impact

Find out if Pardee RAND is right for you

Fill out a brief pre-application and we'll reply with personalized feedback on your potential fit with our Ph.D. program. We look forward to hearing from you!

Submit a Pre-Application