College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

CAHSS: Senior Capstones

Join us as we celebrate the work of our seniors at the CAHSS Capstones!

We invite you to join us as we celebrate the work of our seniors presenting their culminating projects. These projects reflect the demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities developed over the course of a student's learning experience. They include oral presentations, installation art, photography, poetry, oral histories, performances, research presentations, films, multimedia works and more.

For the Spring 2025 Semester, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is pleased to share the following schedule:  

While not hosting one large capstone festival group event this semester, our Department of Psychology joins with the Office of the Dean in extending congratulations to all.  

Commencement 2025

We're looking forward to celebrating our Class of 2025 graduating students on Saturday, May 17, at the Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main Street, Salinas.  The ceremony begins at 10 am (gates open at 8 am).   For full details, visit the University's Commencement page.  CONGRATULATIONS!

Distinction in the Major

Per the 4.20 of the Academic Honors portion of the Academic Standing Policy, departments offering degree programs may confer "Distinction in the Major" to students meeting the criteria developed by the department faculty.  CAHSS is pleased to share the following:

• Cinematic Arts & Technology:  Coming soon
• Global Studies (Social, Behavioral & Global Studies): Awarded by faculty nomination.
• Humanities & Communication: Students in the major may be selected for Distinction upon articulation of one or more of the following achievements:
  • A cumulative GPA in the major of 3.5 or higher (all students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher will automatically be given distinction).  
  • Additional considerations:
    • Leadership at the school, college, or university level
    • Community service
    • Awards and public recognition
    • Unusual accomplishment (as distinctive from GPA recognition)
  • Students are nominated by faculty.
• Music & Performing Arts:  MPA students graduating with a GPA in the major of 3.5 or higher or by recommendation of an MPA faculty member will be awarded Distinction in the Major.
• Psychology: The department of psychology recognizes graduating students with distinction in the major. You need to apply to be considered. If you have done excellent work in or out of the classroom and/or have contributed to the department in some way you should apply! Please see the application form for details.  The application consists of several essay-type questions about you. Read the application thoroughly. We suggest you write the essays in another program (Word, GoogleDoc, etc...) and revise for clarity. Finally, submit when you're ready.  Please ask your PSY faculty if you have questions about the application.  Deadline: Usually in April.
• Social & Behavioral Sciences (Social, Behavioral & Global Studies):  Awarded by faculty nomination.
• Visual & Public Art:  Every year, Distinction in the Major is bestowed to undergraduate students who are nominated by the faculty for outstanding contributions to the program. Students are considered for distinction in the major if they have a minimum 3.0 GPA, a graduation date within the academic year nominated, and meet the following VPA department criteria:
  • Articulation of the origin of their studio practice, which includes their interests, skill level, and ability to identify patterns and connectivity from diverse cultural perspectives.
  • Evidenced critical, analytical, and reflective thinking that links and outlines personal experiences to larger socio-cultural perspectives.
  • Demonstrative ability to define and measure community and audience concerns through positionality and self-accountability (specifically, when creating community sensitive work and defining audience).
  • Displayed ability to engage and respond to social-communal issues by raising social awareness and/or collaborating through organizational and educational outreach components that link campus, regional, or virtual communities to their artwork.
  • Expressed interest and consideration for outreach and artwork presentation that directly impacts regional, underrepresented, and diverse audiences. 
• World Languages & Cultures: The department recognizes student achievement in the major during the annual Capstone Festival across 3 levels: Recognition, Distinction and High Distinction awards based on GPA in the major.  GPA will be calculated on major coursework and not cumulative. WLC criteria for awards are:
  • 3.0-3.5 Recognition
  • 3.51-3.75 Distinction
  • 3.76-4 is High Distinction

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