On-the-Job Training Provides Practical Research Experience
Our M.Phil. and Ph.D. gain practical experience in policy analysis through On-the-Job Training (OJT), in which they work on RAND—and sometimes external—research projects.
Research Compensation
RAND School PhD students receive compensation for working an expected number of days each year on RAND projects; this compensation helps to cover tuition and assist with living expenses. Our on-the-job training (OJT) program is valuable both educationally and financially. OJT is an important requirement of the academic degree.
Our students learn policy analysis by helping to conduct RAND research, as part of interdisciplinary RAND research teams working on problems that range from the inner city to outer space. Students thereby accumulate unique, practical experience that employers in academia, government, business, and non-profit organizations value highly.
At the same time, students are able to support themselves. To receive their compensation, students must perform a minimum amount of OJT each year (including during the summer) on RAND research projects:
| Year 1 | 75 days (600 hours) |
|---|---|
| Year 2 | 125 days (1,000 hours) |
| Years 3-5 | At the student’s discretion |
If a student works more than the minimum number of research days, the student may be able to earn additional compensation.