The Frederick S. Pardee Ph.D. in Policy Analysis
The RAND School is home to the Pardee RAND Graduate School and its flagship program, the Frederick S. Pardee Ph.D. in Policy Analysis.
Photo by Diane Baldwin/RAND
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Key Facts at a Glance
- 100% of students receive scholarships
- Can earn $20,000 or more annually based on hours worked
- Earn two degrees: the M.Phil. in policy analysis along the way to the Ph.D.
- Graduate with real-world research experience
- Available in two locations: Washington, DC–metro and Los Angeles, CA
#10 in Public Policy Analysis
U.S. News & World Report,
2026 rankings
Why You Should Apply
Evidence-based policy is critical to driving positive and lasting change. The Frederick S. Pardee Ph.D. in Policy Analysis combines rigorous academic training with extensive applied research experience, preparing students to become advanced policy researchers capable of investigating consequential policy problems with depth, independence, and analytical rigor.
Students build a strong foundation in policy analysis through coursework and applied research, then deepen their expertise through advanced doctoral study, additional on-the-job training, and independent dissertation research. Ranked among the nation’s top 10 programs for policy analysis by U.S. News & World Report, the program provides the tools, experience, and relationships to conduct meaningful research on complex policy challenges.
How the Ph.D. Program Works
The Ph.D. is an integrated program with two phases. Students begin with the M.Phil. phase, earn the M.Phil. in policy analysis, and continue into the advanced Ph.D. phase.
Begin with the M.Phil.
Students build a strong foundation through coursework and substantial on-the-job training (OJT). They work on real policy problems, explore areas of research interest, and develop relationships with RAND researchers and potential mentors.
Continue to the Ph.D.
Students who successfully complete the M.Phil. phase and remain in good standing continue into the advanced Ph.D. phase. They deepen their expertise through additional OJT, advanced study, and a dissertation focused on an important policy problem.
Through the Frederick S. Pardee Ph.D. in Policy Analysis, you will
- Learn from the experts: Learn from RAND policy experts who bring real-world research and decisionmaking into the classroom.
- Experience a think tank environment: Learn in the world’s largest policy think tank through an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to tackle complex problems.
- Conduct real-world research: Participate in real-world research through on-the-job training to gain hands-on experience with policy issues happening now.
- Build in-demand skills: Develop analytical and research skills valued by employers across policy, research, government, and other fields.
- Receive scholarships and compensation: Receive a tuition scholarship and earn $20,000 or more annually through OJT on RAND research projects.
The methodological skills I learned while a student at RAND, the interdisciplinary approach to problem solving, and the focus on impactful policy research were and continue to be the hallmarks of the RAND graduate program. And those elements have been foundational to my work.
Cheryl Damberg, RAND School alumna
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Curriculum
The Ph.D. program combines coursework, applied research, and advanced doctoral study in two phases.
M.Phil. Phase: Foundational Coursework and Applied Research
Students complete foundational coursework and substantial on-the-job training (OJT), building analytical skills and research experience while working on real-world policy problems.
18 units of core and elective courses
Core Coursework (required, 7 units)
- Designing Empirical Research
- Microeconomic Theory I: Policy and Economic Systems*
- Microeconomic Theory II
- Perspectives in Public Policy Analysis
- Policy Making in Complex Environments
- Statistics for Policy Analysis I*
- Statistics for Policy Analysis II*
*Students may waive out of Microeconomic Theory I, Statistics for Policy Analysis I, and Statistics for Policy Analysis II if they pass an exam at the start of the program. They will need to take another course (or courses) to fulfill the total unit requirements.
Electives (11 units, of which 4 must meet distribution requirements)
Sample electives* include:
- Advanced Econometrics
- AI: Topics in Machine Learning (Machine Learning and Data Science)
- Cost Benefit and Cost Effectiveness Analysis
- Economic Development
- Foundations in Behavioral Economics
- Games for Policy Analysis
- Qualitative Approaches to Research
- Robust Decision Making
- Social Network Analysis
- Survey Design
Distribution Requirements
Four of the 11 units must meet distribution requirements. For the Modeling Human Systems distribution, two units must focus on topics including computational, economic, or qualitative modeling, or operations research. For the Empirical Analysis distribution, two units must focus on topics including statistics; econometrics; machine learning; or historical, social network, or survey analysis.
Analytic Concentrations
Through their choice of electives, students may pursue one or more analytic concentrations.
*Availability of electives may change from year to year; students may also enroll in graduate-level courses at the UCLA Luskin School, per availability and approval.
Advanced Ph.D. Phase: Additional OJT, Advanced Study, and Dissertation
After successfully completing the M.Phil. phase and satisfying defined academic and OJT requirements, students continue to the advanced Ph.D. phase. Students continue advanced study and OJT while developing, writing, and defending a policy-relevant dissertation.
The dissertation process begins during the M.Phil. phase with a year-long dissertation workshop, where students work with faculty and cohort peers to identify pressing policy problems, develop research questions, and refine their research ideas.
Students may continue to take courses in the advanced Ph.D. phase, with most participating in OJT gaining additional research experience and earning compensation.
View our complete Course Catalog Compare our degree programsAdvising
Program directors offer academic advising to students, partnering with them to plan their academic path, navigate university requirements, and address challenges that could affect progress.
OJT: What Makes Us Unique
Students pursuing the Ph.D. complete 200 days of on-the-job training (OJT) across the M.Phil. and advanced Ph.D. phases of the program. OJT gives students substantive research and professional experience while allowing them to shape their experience around their interests and career goals.
Students complete OJT through work on active RAND research projects, contributing to multidisciplinary teams addressing real-world policy challenges. Students may also earn credit through the Policy Analysis Practicum or approved external research, analysis, or teaching opportunities.
Learn more about OJTSample Schedule
The following is an example of the course and on-the-job training mix that students may experience during the M.Phil. phase of the Ph.D. program. Actual schedules may vary based on course availability and student interests.
Students often start their OJT during the fall quarter of their first year. Many students also choose to work on OJT during the summer.
M.Phil. Phase: Year 1
Fall
OJT
OJT Workshop
- Perspectives in Public Policy Analysis
- Microeconomic Theory I: Policy and Economic Systems
- Math for Policy Analysis
Winter
OJT
OJT Workshop
- Designing Empirical Research
- Economic Development
- Statistics for Policy Analysis I
- Microeconomic Theory II
Spring
OJT
OJT Workshop
- Advanced Econometrics
- Games for Policy Analysis
- Statistics for Policy Analysis II
M.Phil. Phase: Year 2
Fall
OJT
Dissertation Workshop
- Applied Statistics
- Policy Communication: A Visual Design Course for Policy Researchers
- Robust Decision Making
Winter
OJT
Dissertation Workshop
- Cost Benefit and Cost Effectiveness Analysis
- AI: Topics in Machine Learning (Machine Learning and Data Science)
- Social Network Analysis
Spring
OJT
Dissertation Workshop
- Risk Management in Energy Markets
- Policy Making in Complex Environments
- Game Theory
- Survey Design
Advanced Ph.D. Phase: Years 3+
As part of the Ph.D. program, students develop, write, and defend a policy-relevant dissertation. The process begins in the second year of the program with a year-long dissertation workshop (noted above) designed to help students launch their ideas. During the workshop, students work closely with a faculty member and their cohort peers to identify pressing policy problems, develop research questions, and explore ways to address the issue. This collaborative process allows students to gain valuable feedback and support as they refine their research ideas.
Students may continue to take courses in years 3 and beyond, with most participating in OJT to earn compensation for their research work.
Career Paths After the RAND School
Employers highly value RAND School graduates for their intellectual agility, research experience, and ability to apply analytical tools and methodologies to a variety of policy problems. Graduates with international backgrounds also benefit from the school’s STEM designation.
- Policy Analyst
- Professor
- Data Scientist
- Economist
- Research Associate
- Program Evaluator
- Consultant
- Program Officer
- Policy Researcher
- Executive Director
- Methodologist
- Policy Advisor
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Frequently Asked Questions
Our Admissions FAQs page answers common questions about our program offerings, application requirements, the admissions process, funding, and student experience.