Client-Based Capstones

Each year, Master of Public Policy students culminate their studies with a 6-month capstone project. These capstone projects typically involve a group of 2-3 students who answer a public policy question posed by a client (e.g., government agency, non-profit organization, business, or community group). Students begin work in January on these client-based capstone projects and present their work to the community and stakeholders in June. All students are guided in the development of their capstone project by one or more School of Public Policy faculty members.

Unpacking the Hidden Costs of New Water Permitting Rules

Partner: City of Riverside

New permitting rules from the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (Order R8-2024-0001) modify the requirements for the discharge of pollutants in water runoff and stand to impact a range of city planning considerations, including new commercial and residential development, as well as watershed management plans. This capstone project assesses the potential economic impact based on the forecasted Citywide costs to comply with the new permit and the findings will help the city navigate policy adjustments that balance environmental concerns with concern for the economic impact to Riverside households.

Two adult women in an adult learning environment

Breaking Barriers for Adult Learners

Partner: Growing Inland Achievement

For many adult learners in our region, returning to school isn’t just about academics – it’s about overcoming financial, childcare, and scheduling challenges. This project examines policy solutions that could make higher education more accessible, from expanding financial aid eligibility to creating more flexible support systems. By analyzing the adult learner landscape in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, this capstone aims to support Growing Inland Achievement’s efforts in working with higher education institutions and policymakers to create pathways for more adults to succeed in their education and careers.

Students in an elementary school classroom

Restorative Justice, in Practice?

Partner: Alianza

School discipline policies have lasting impacts on students’ futures – including absenteeism and graduation rates. Restorative justice is often upheld as a promising alternative to traditional, punitive disciplinary measures that can reduce suspension rates, improve school climate, and enhance student engagement without compromising student safety. This capstone project contributes to Alianza’s efforts to create safe, supportive learning environments by analyzing how disciplinary policies vary across Coachella Valley Unified School District, considering variation in implementation and exploring such policies could be modified or standardized to better reflect the principles of restorative justice.

Is Riverside County Getting Its Fair Share of Investment?

Partner: Lift to Rise

Robust state investment in housing and community development helps to foster thriving neighborhoods by encouraging the development of affordable housing, economic growth, community health, educational opportunities, and social mobility, among many other benefits. Riverside County is frequently compared to its wealthier, coastal neighbors—Los Angeles and Orange counties to the West and San Diego county to the South—but such assessments are apples to oranges and it remains unclear whether Riverside County is comparably resourced to these reference points. This capstone project analyzes regional investment and will help build a clearer picture of how funding flows into Riverside County, identifying where there may be opportunities to advocate for more equitable resource distribution in the process.

Unlocking Local Investment for the Inland Empire

Partner: Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services

The California Organized Investment Network (COIN) is a voluntary collaboration between the California Department of Insurance, the insurance industry, and community organizations that strives to encourage insurers to make financial investments that produce environmental or social benefits in California, particularly in underserved communities. This capstone project considers whether COIN is successful in accomplishing this objective in Inland Southern California and, if not, ways the program could be restructured to encourage insurers to invest in local projects that would bring more funding to the region to support housing to small business to wildfire retrofitting.

Center for Community Solutions