Facts in Brief
Founded in 1970 as the RAND Graduate Institute, the Pardee RAND Graduate School has evolved into a model for graduate programs in policy analysis. PRGS is co-located in Santa Monica with the RAND Corporation's headquarters. The name of the school has been changed twice: In 1987, RGI became the RAND Graduate School. In 2004, the present name was adopted to honor the contributions of Frederick S. Pardee, a former RAND researcher and philanthropist.
Degrees Awarded
PRGS awards the degree Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the subject of Policy Analysis. The average time to completion is typically 3-5 years. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree is awarded to students after two years of study and partial completion of Ph.D. requirements. The first Ph.D. degree was awarded in 1974. As of August 2010, PRGS has awarded 255 Ph.D. degrees.
Curriculum
Using a multidisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes research methods drawn from mathematics, economics and the social sciences, students and faculty examine a wide range of policy issues including health, education, energy, environmental issues, public safety, labor, population and workforce demographics, as well as national and international security. All students complete a core curriculum consisting of 10 courses Over 20 elective courses are offered each year.
On-the-Job Training
PRGS fellows are required to complete at least 400 days of work on policy research projects. This requirement, known as "on-the-job training," (OJT) ensures that graduates are exposed to a wide variety of policy areas, research methods, colleagues, and clients. By the time they graduate, most fellows have accumulated the equivalent of at least two years of job experience in policy analysis and policy consulting.
Most opportunities for OJT arise through ongoing RAND research. PRGS fellows join teams of RAND researchers, initially as apprentices and later, as their skills develop, in roles of increasing responsibility and independence. At any time at RAND, over 500 research projects are underway, which fellows may apply to join.
Academic Calendar
PRGS operates on the quarter system. There are three quarters of instruction per year (fall, winter and spring), each consisting of ten weeks of instruction followed by a one-week final examination period. PRGS adheres as closely as possible to the University of California System's quarter calendar. The fall quarter normally begins in the last week of September, with two weeks of in depth policy seminars available before the fall quarter begins.
Accreditation
PRGS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The school received its first accreditation in 1975 and was reaccredited for 10 years in 1980, with reaccreditation reaffirmed in 1985, 1990, and in 2000. The next accreditation process will begin in 2007, with the site visit in 2009.
PRGS is also a founding member of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM).
Student Body
PRGS annually enrolls approximately 100 Ph.D. students drawn from more than 20 countries around the world: just under half are from outside the US. Students are drawn from a wide variety of academic backgrounds, and 73% already held an advanced degree upon matriculation. Approximately 40% of PRGS students are married and around 6% are also parents. The median age of entering students is 27, but the age range of entering students in recent classes extends from 22-45.
Admissions
Admission to the program is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of roughly 25% of applicants. Candidates are selected on the basis of intellectual power, creativity, and a practical bent. Strong quantitative skills are important to success in the program: all candidates should have completed math through univariate calculus; completion of higher linear algebra, statistics and economics are desirable but not required. All applicants must possess the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor's degree, and must submit a valid score on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). PRGS admits students for fall term entry only.
Student Fees and Financial Assistance
Tuition for entering students in the 2009-10 academic year is $25,000.
All admitted students receive a fellowship that is earned by working on RAND research projects. The fellowship amount for entering students in 2010 is $50,000, which covers annual tuition and a living stipend of $25,000. To fully fund their fellowship, students must complete a minimum number of days working on RAND projects: a student must complete 60 days in their first year and 155 days annually in subsequent years of enrollment.
A limited number of scholarships are awarded each year to entering students based on academic merit and policy interests. Also, a limited number of dissertation scholarships are awarded each year through a competitive process. U.S. citizens and qualified international students are also eligible to participate in the Federal Stafford Loan program.
Faculty
Almost all faculty members are also RAND researchers, and over 90% are Ph.D. holders. Most PRGS faculty have been published in major refereed journals in their fields of academic specialty.
Alumni
Graduates pursue careers in academic and research institution settings, public service and private industry. According to a recent poll of alumni, PRGS graduates were employed as follows:
- Research - 44%
- Dedicated Research Institutions - 24%
- Universities (as faculty) - 20%
- Public Service - 16%
- Government (other than military) - 13%
- Military - 3%
- Private Sector - 25%
- Other - 15%
Governance and Finances
The Pardee RAND Graduate School is a private not-for-profit institution. Operations are overseen by the RAND Corporation's Board of Trustees. The 23-member Board of Governors, which is comprised of leaders from business, academia and the non-profit sector, guides the school towards achievement of its full potential.
The Pardee RAND Graduate School is financed by a combination of tuition revenue, fellowship and dissertation support from RAND research projects, and philanthropic gifts from private individuals, foundations and corporations.
Deans
Charles Wolf, Jr. - (1970-1998)
Robert Klitgaard - (1998-2005)
Rae Archibald interim - (2005-2006)
John Graham - (2006-2008)
Molly Selvin interim - (2008)
Susan Marquis - (2009)