Program Curriculum
Students work on a policy game in class
Photo by Diane Baldwin/RAND Corporation
Pardee RAND Ph.D. students follow a rigorous, interdisciplinary program curriculum. The required courses are designed to provide students with a broad and solid base from which they can then begin to tailor their academic experience. Woven through each of the courses, and the program overall, are a focus on social justice and racial equity, communications, ethics, and a global perspective.
Core Courses 10 units total
Economic Analysis 2.0 units
Ethics 0.5 units
Policy Analysis 2.5 units
Quantitative Analysis 2.5 units
Social and Behavioral Science 2.5 units
Elective Courses
Ph.D. students explore their particular interests and passions through a range of electives, policy design studios, and tutorials with Pardee RAND faculty and RAND research staff. They complete 9.5 units of electives (including Policy Engagement Stream requirements). Through their electives and experiential learning, students fulfill their policy specialization. Additionally, some students choose to pursue an analytic concentration.
Elective course content is demand-driven based on student interest and is updated each year. Courses are generally offered every other year and are subject to change.
Click on a button below to see courses that have been offered in each area.