Social Sciences Capstone Information
UH West Oʻahu students are required to complete a capstone course in their specific degree and concentration area.
Capstone courses are a culminating scholastic effort and experience that asks students to incorporate the terms and concepts learned in their various classes to demonstrate their understanding of social sciences concepts and theories through work experience or research.
Capstone courses should be taken in a student’s last semester of study before graduation.
Students should visit and/or contact their assigned UHWO Social Sciences College Success Advisor (see advisor information below) to go over graduation requirements and project their graduation date.
Capstone Course Prerequisites
SSCI 486 (alpha) Senior Project
- SSCI 210, SSCI 300, social science methods course required by the student’s concentration (see below), one class of upper division writing-intensive (WI) course work, and consent of the instructor.
- Required methods for each concentration are as follows:
- SSCI 486A (Anthropology): SSCI 317
- SSCI 486E (Economics): SSCI 301
- SSCI 486L (Political Science): SSCI 317
- SSCI 486P (Psychology): PSY 212 or SSCI 301
- SSCI 486S (Sociology): SOC 300 and SOC 321 Survey of Sociological Theory
- Senior Standing: Students will be allowed to enroll in a capstone course in the last semester before graduation
SSCI 490 (alpha) Social Sciences Practicum
- Consent of instructor, one class of upper division writing intensive (WI) course work.
- Alpha Series:
- C: Early Childhood Education
- E: Economics
- F: Applied Forensic Anthropology
- L: Political Science
- Note: Students participating in Practicum must sign the UH West O‘ahu Assumption of Risk and Release Form. This form must be completed and returned to the instructor prior to beginning this off-campus activity.
SSCI 490A Social Sciences Practicum – Anthropology
- SSCI 317, and completion or concurrent enrollment in ANTH 490, one class of upper division writing-intensive (WI) course work, and instructor approval.
- Note: Students participating in Practicum must sign the UH West O‘ahu Assumption of Risk and Release Form. This form must be completed and returned to the instructor prior to beginning this off-campus activity.
SSCI 490S Social Sciences Practicum – Sociology
- SOC 321, SSCI 210, SSCI 300, SOC 300, one class of upper division writing-intensive (WI) course work, and consent of the instructor.
- Note: Students participating in Practicum must sign the UH West O‘ahu Assumption of Risk and Release Form. This form must be completed and returned to the instructor prior to beginning this off-campus activity.
APSC 490X Applied Sciences Practicum – Sustainable Community Food Systems
- Completion of concentration requirements (SCFS 300, SCFS 310, SCFS 320, SCFS / POLS 335, SCFS 490 and 12 elective credits in SCFS), one upper division writing intensive (WI) and instructor approval
- Note: Students participating in Practicum must sign the UH West O‘ahu Assumption of Risk and Release Form. This form must be completed and returned to the instructor prior to beginning this off-campus activity.
- More information about the APSC 490X capstone can be found on the Sustainable Community Food Systems website.
Capstone Course Options
- Capstone Courses are Writing Intensive.
- Students are expected to take initiative and manage their own tasks and assignments throughout the semester.
- Each professor will conduct their capstone course differently and will share the specific details and expectations in their course syllabus.
Contact the Capstone course instructor (see below) for specific information regarding the capstone options, expectations, and experience.
| Concentrations | Capstone Courses* | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropology* | SSCI 486A Senior Project SSCI 490A Social Sciences Practicum |
Please check the schedule of classes for the assigned instructor and contact information. |
| Early Childhood Education | SSCI 490C Social Sciences Practicum | Please check the schedule of classes for the assigned instructor and contact information. |
| Psychology | SSCI 486P Senior Project | Please check the schedule of classes for the assigned instructor and contact information. |
| Anthropology* | SSCI 486A Senior Project SSCI 490A Social Sciences Practicum SSCI 490F Social Sciences Practicum |
Please check the schedule of classes for the assigned instructor and contact information. |
| Economics | SSCI 486E Senior Project SSCI 490E Social Sciences Practicum |
Please check the schedule of classes for the assigned instructor and contact information. |
| Political Science | SSCI 489L Senior Project SSCI 490L Social Sciences Practicum |
Please check the schedule of classes for the assigned instructor and contact information. |
| Psychology | SSCI 468P Senior Project | Please check the schedule of classes for the assigned instructor and contact information. |
| Sociology | SSCI 486S Senior Project SSCI 490S Social Sciences Practicum |
Please check the schedule of classes for the assigned instructor and contact information. |
| Sustainable Community Food Systems** (Applied & Social Sciences) |
APSC 490X Senior Practicum | Please check the schedule of classes for the assigned instructor and contact information. |
*Anthropology Senior Capstone options are only taught in the Fall semester.
**Sustainable Community Food Systems Capstone is taught only in the Spring semester
SSCI 486(alpha) – Senior Project
Students complete a research paper based on original or library research related to a particular problem or issue in their concentration area. The objectives of the senior project are to develop research and information retrieval skills, refine communication skills, and other research related competencies. Students will then share their research demonstrating their understanding theories and practices. Although the senior project is usually in a student’s concentration, students may select topics that require multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary study. Senior Project topics are subject to faculty approval.
Student Expectations
- Submit outlines and drafts of a research paper as advised by the professor.
- Complete all required number of meetings with the professor.
- Present the senior project to classmates and professor.
SSCI 490(alpha) – Social Sciences Practicum
The goal of the practicum course is to allow students the opportunity to gain experience through field-based coursework within the workforce and apply the theories and concepts learned in the classroom. Students will then report on their experience using their understanding of theories and practices. In doing so, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to adapt to professional situations. Students will complete field-based coursework related to their concentration area, such as an internship.
Student Expectations
- Complete at least 120 hours of work at the practicum site during the semester.
- Professionalism and a good work ethic is expected at the internship site.
- Submit written assignments by the posted deadlines.
- Meet with the professor throughout the semester.
- Present practicum experience to classmates and professor.
Deciding on a Capstone Option
If you are still unsure of which capstone option to pursue, you can contact your Faculty Advisor for assistance.
Faculty Advisors are assigned to students based on their program of study and are an excellent source of information on:
- Academic programs
- Course content, selection, and sequencing
- Suggested courses for program electives
- Program and course prerequisites
- Graduate programs
- Career and professional development
- The name and contact information of the assigned faculty advisor can be viewed in the STAR Academic Essentials Tab. Go to www.star.hawaii.edu, click on your name at the top right of your screen to view your faculty advisor.
Faculty Capstone Information Sessions
A series of virtual Capstone Information Sessions will be held for students to learn more about the capstone requirement and faculty approval. Individual concentrations will host their own capstone information sessions. Information will be provided by the faculty.
Capstone Registration Process
Senior standing students that are planning to register for their Social Sciences Capstone need to follow the steps listed below. Students who do not complete these steps will experience delays in their registration.
How to prepare for the Fall Semester:
How to prepare for the Spring Semester:
Advising – Final Degree Audit
Schedule a Final Degree Audit appointment by going to star.hawaii.edu/appointments to go over all requirements and determine your projected graduation date.
Email: dcordial@hawaii.edu
Schedule a virtual appointment through STAR Balance.
Virtual Express Advising (Mondays 9am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm) Except on holidays.
eForm – Capstone Registration Request and Instructor Approval
Following the Final Degree Audit appointment with your College Success Advisor and confirmation of your expected final semester, you will be emailed a link to complete your Humanities Capstone Registration Request eForm. The Capstone Registration Request eForm is where students will provide their information and identify the desired capstone course and instructor.
Students should refer to the Class Availability and/or STAR GPS to review the capstone course options, sections, CRN (Course Registration Number), meeting dates and times.
After completion of the eForm, the college success advisor will review students eligibility to take the senior capstone course and students eligibility to graduate.
Students’ requests will go to the instructor indicated on the form. The instructor will review and either approve or deny the students request. If the student’s request is approved the instructor will provide the student with the override to register and the student will be notified via email to their hawaii.edu email address.
Register – via STAR GPS
After a student has been granted the instructor override for the course, students must go to STAR GPS and register. Don’t forget to click “SUBMIT”. Students are advised to register for all other semester courses at their designated time ticket and not to wait for the capstone registration override.
Grad Application Form
After registration is completed and finalized, students must notify the campus of their intent to graduate by filling out a Graduation Application form. Submission of this form ensures the student will be added to the mailing list for Commencement information.
Prepare – Senior Project / Practicum
SSCI 486(alpha) – Senior Project
Students preparing for SSCI 486(alpha) Senior Project should start considering project topics and conduct preliminary research on potential topics.
Guidelines for Senior Project:
- Students and Professors will determine and agree on: (a) a well-defined set of goals and objectives, (b) scheduled meeting times, and (c) section and/or draft due dates before beginning work on the projects
- The Capstone Professor will approve, supervise and guide the senior project development.
SSCI 490(alpha) – Social Sciences Practicum
Students interested in completing SSCI 490(alpha) Social Sciences Practicum (Internship) are required to initiate the preliminary search for internship sites, as well as updating their resume and cover letter.
Guidelines for Social Sciences Practicum:
- Students and Professors will determine and agree on: (a) a well-defined set of goals and objectives, (b) scheduled meeting times, and (c) section and/or draft due dates before beginning work on the practicum.
- Faculty, student, and site supervisor, must complete the UH West O‘ahu Memorandum of Agreement that includes the functions, objectives, and tasks for the practicum experience. Professor will provide the appropriate forms.
For more specific information please contact your senior capstone instructor directly.