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About Pardee RAND
As the original policy Ph.D. program, Pardee RAND Graduate School is unique in American higher education.
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Admissions
Pardee RAND's mission is to train future leaders. Learn what's involved and how to apply.
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Academics
Great courses are only part of a Pardee RAND education. Students also conduct project-based policy research.
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Research & Innovation
Pardee RAND benefits from its applied policy research setting and focus on innovative analytic methods.
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Careers & Alumni
Alumni pursue a wide variety of careers. Our Career Development staff coaches students and alumni on their career paths.
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Students from the Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School gather on the chess set outside of the RAND offices in Santa Monica, CA

Make a strategic decision

Apply to Pardee RAND

Are you thinking of applying to the Pardee RAND Graduate School? Wondering what's involved? Visit the following pages to see the following highlights:

"Ideal student": What we're looking for in our applicants
Admissions events: How to register and attend
Fellowships and scholarships: How to fully fund your Ph.D.
Diversity: What makes our program so dynamic

How to Apply

Our application season will open in September. Applications for the entering cohort of Fall 2019 will be due Jan. 8, 2019.

If you are interested in applying, take a look around this section of the site, and visit our Application page to learn more.

Not Sure Whether to Apply?

We encourage all prospective candidates to complete an online pre-application, as we can then advise you whether you have the appropriate qualifications for Pardee RAND ... before you invest your time into the application process.

Submit a Pre-Application »

Pardee RAND Fast Facts

Students

Average enrollment: 110 students

Entering cohort size: 20-25

Faculty to student ratio: 2:1

International students: 35%

Countries represented: 25

Average age of current students: 29

Age range: 21-44

Women in student body: 45%

Admissions & Aid

Students with advanced degrees: 72%

Average GRE quantitative score: 161

Average GRE verbal score: 161

Tuition: $26,500 per year for the first two years; $16,500 per year in years 3-5

First-year scholarships awarded: 100%

Tuition covered by research fellowships: 100%

Curriculum

Degree conferred: Ph.D. in Policy Analysis

Matriculation: Full time, residency, beginning in fall term only

Academic calendar: Quarter system (fall, winter, and spring)

Required coursework: 12.5 core courses and 7 elective courses

Average time to completion: 5 years

RAND research projects underway at any given time: 500+

Miscellany

Official name: The Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School (pronounced Par-DEE); commonly referred to as Pardee RAND and also known as The RAND Graduate School

Dean: Susan L. Marquis

Location: Santa Monica, CA (students work in all RAND locations for dissertation research and project work)

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), through 2020

History: Founded in 1970 as the RAND Graduate Institute

School colors: Purple and gold

School motto: Be the Answer