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.

  • Palestinian demonstrators run for cover from Israeli fire and tear gas during a protest against the U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem and ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba, at the Israel-Gaza border in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018

    Commentary

    Five Thoughts on Jerusalem, Gaza, and What's in Between

    May 15, 2018

    Dozens of people have been killed and over 2,000 injured in protests in the Gaza Strip along the border with Israel. Alum Shira Efron (cohort '11) says continued clashes are expected until the fundamental problems of the strip are solved, including the governance vacuum, the Palestinian Authority-Hamas rift, and the conflict with Israel.

  • Business people in an elevator

    Commentary

    How to Increase Participation in Workplace Health and Wellbeing Initiatives

    May 10, 2018

    Many employers are actively looking at ways to improve health and wellbeing in their workplaces. Prof. Chris van Stolk writes that increasing employee participation in health and wellness programs requires strategies to address health risks, engagement with staff, and buy-in and support from management.

  • 3d printing in progress

    Report

    Additive Manufacturing in 2040: Powerful Enabler, Disruptive Threat

    May 8, 2018

    Student Luke Irwin (cohort '16) and professors Troy Smith and Trevor Johnston examined the future of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. If it continues to develop along its current trends, they write, it could profoundly alter the global economy, international security, and the organization of society.

  • Announcement

    Sharon Arnold to Receive Fourth Alumni Leadership Award

    May 3, 2018

    Noting her leadership in government and contributions to the nonprofit world, Dean Susan Marquis announced that Sharon Arnold (cohort '85) will receive Pardee RAND's fourth biennial Alumni Leadership Award at the school's Commencement and Alumni Weekend on June 15.

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