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.

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    Tool

    Developing a Manual for Cultural Analysis

    Jul 9, 2018

    Drawing from cognitive and evolutionary anthropology traditions, the authors describe a set of tools capable of dealing with cultural data at various emergent levels. Many techniques are known in the published literature, but this is the first time they have been organized into a single manual structured around a formally theorized notion of culture.

  • Announcement

    Findings Highlights Commencement 2018

    Jun 28, 2018

    The Commencement issue of Pardee RAND's alumni newsletter includes articles about our biennial celebration, an interview with the Alumni Leadership Award recipient, and a spotlight on alumni donors Jeffrey Wasserman and Ted Harshberger.

  • Announcement

    Giving Spotlight: Alumni Jeffrey Wasserman and Ted Harshberger

    Jun 25, 2018

    Ted Harshberger (cohort '86) and Jeffrey Wasserman ('85) have long — and strong — ties not only to Pardee RAND but to the RAND Corporation itself. Ted is the Vice President and Director of Project AIR FORCE, and Jeffrey is the Vice President and Director of RAND Health. So it is no surprise that — when it comes time to support their alma mater and their company — Jeffrey and Ted don't hesitate.

  • Announcement

    Students Honor Selvin, Smith, and Armour with Huddleson Teaching Awards

    Jun 20, 2018

    For two years running, Professors Molly Selvin and Troy Smith received the Huddleson Teaching Award for excellence in teaching an elective and a core course (respectively). In 2017, Professor Phil Armour also received the award for teaching an elective. All three received their awards at the 2018 Pardee RAND Graduate School Commencement Ceremony.

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