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
Get in the know. Now.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Generous scholarships available
- Can earn $30,000 or more based on hours worked
- Graduate with real-world research experience
- Available in two locations: Washington, DC–metro and Los Angeles, CA
- Deadline for fall 2026 was December 4, 2025. Applications received after the deadline will be considered for the M.Phil. program.
#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. At the RAND School of Public Policy, we recognize the need for advanced education and training in policy analysis to address complex challenges that affect societies worldwide.
The RAND School is home to the Pardee RAND Graduate School and its flagship program, the Frederick S. Pardee Ph.D. in Policy Analysis. Students in the Ph.D. program develop a deep understanding of policy analysis and its role in shaping policy decisions. Ranked among the nation’s top 10 programs for policy analysis by U.S. News & World Report, our program challenges students to think critically and creatively about complex policy issues, while also providing the tools and resources to conduct cutting-edge research.
Through the Frederick S. Pardee Ph.D. in Policy Analysis, you will
- Learn from the Experts: Our professors are RAND policy experts deeply embedded in real-world decision-making circles. They are in the room where critical decisions happen and bring their unparalleled practical experience into your class.
- Experience a Think Tank Environment: We are the only graduate school integrated with a think tank. Unlike traditional academia, our program is tailored to help solve the world's greatest problems through an interdisciplinary curriculum.
- Conduct Real-World Research: Participate in real-world research through on-the-job training to gain hands-on experience with policy issues happening now.
- Make a Bigger Impact: Graduate with in-demand skills from an institution renowned for excellence and a trusted network of leading experts.
- Receive Generous Scholarships and Compensation: Students receive generous tuition scholarships. Additionally, students can earn $30,000 or more each year through their OJT work on RAND research projects to offset tuition and provide a living stipend.
Our program is designed to provide you with a comprehensive, rigorous, and intensive education that empowers you to create meaningful change through thoughtful policy.
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.
Alum Cheryl Damberg
Get in the know. Now.
Curriculum
Students take a total of 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
- Principles of Client-Centered 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.
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
The RAND School stands out from other programs by requiring Ph.D. students to complete 200 days of on-the-job training (OJT) as part of their degree. This experiential learning opportunity allows students to work on real-world research projects at RAND. During the first year of the program, students have weekly mentoring sessions to support their experiential learning.
As active members of multidisciplinary RAND project teams, students engage in research and data analysis while gaining a deep understanding of the role analysis plays in solving complex policy problems. This “learning by doing” approach provides students with hands-on experience and prepares them to make meaningful contributions to the field of policy analysis.
Learn more about OJTSample Schedule
The following is an example of the course and on-the-job training mix that students can expect over the first two years of our program. Actual schedules may vary based on course availability and student preferences.
Students often start their OJT during the fall quarter of their first year. Many students also choose to work on OJT during the summer.
Year 1
Fall
OJT Days
- Perspectives in Public Policy Analysis
- Microeconomic Theory I: Policy and Economic Systems
- Math for Policy Analysis
Winter
OJT Days
- Designing Empirical Research
- Economic Development
- Statistics for Policy Analysis I
- Microeconomic Theory II
Spring
OJT Days
- Advanced Econometrics
- Games for Policy Analysis
- Statistics for Policy Analysis II
Year 2
Fall
OJT Days
- Applied Statistics
- Policy Communication: A Visual Design Course for Policy Researchers
- Principles of Client-Oriented Policy Analysis
- Robust Decision Making
- Dissertation Workshop
Winter
OJT Days
- Cost Benefit and Cost Effectiveness Analysis
- AI: Topics in Machine Learning (Machine Learning and Data Science)
- Social Network Analysis
- Dissertation Workshop
Spring
OJT Days
- Risk Management in Energy Markets
- Policy Making in Complex Environments
- Game Theory
- Dissertation Workshop
- Survey Design
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
Get in the know. Now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Admissions FAQs page includes answers to frequently asked questions about our Ph.D. program as well as additional questions and answers related to the admissions process for all our programs.