The MPP capstone, a semester-long project, is a core requirement of Temple’s Master of Public Policy program which allows students to apply skills they learned in the classroom and gain valuable professional experience. In the capstone course, students complete an original, full-length project for a real-world client located in the greater Philadelphia region.  

Master of Public Policy students Harry Hansen-Fleischman, Donna Hendrickson, Tyler Honschke, Brianna Seay, and Alex Teplyakov presented their work to Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on April 25th, 2022. Given the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, PennDOTT asked the MPP students to help local jurisdictions improve their electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Students were required to create a model local ordinance, design accessible and concise flyers, and compile a report which summarized major things localities should consider when developing their own ordinances. You can review their toolkit and materials here.

Emily Watts is a Master of Public Policy alumna who worked as an Executive Policy Specialist at PenDOT. After first completing the capstone course as a student, she now had an opportunity to see the process from the other side as a client. “As a former Temple University Master of Public Policy student, working with this group of smart and thoughtful students was a great experience. I was impressed by the professionalism and drive these students possessed. I know the products they created will be a great resource for our local municipalities in Pennsylvania." 

Thanks to this project, students gained an appreciation for the pressures that affect decisions in public policy. They had the opportunity to engage with stakeholders and other professionals outside of the Pennsylvania Department, of Transportation including a presentation to the State’s Planning Board. The team had the opportunity to apply classroom learning on a real-life work project that helped them to gain practical experiences that equate to skills needed to join the workforce after graduation. PenDOT received valuable assistance in ensuring that Pennsylvania communities are ready for the new wave of electric vehicles and their associated EV charging equipment that will be hitting the roads soon.  

Visit the MPP Capstone page to learn more about the MPP Capstone Project and all the great work students have done in the past.