Generally speaking, several coordinated nouns require a plural adjective when this refers to each one of them. However, if these nouns are seen as a whole unit, rather than individual unrelated items, the adjective can agree with the last item of the list:

La lengua y la literatura española.

In your examples I'd definitely say "especiales".

The name of the cap for graduates is "bonete", by the way. "Otorgar" could be "to give", but I'd say that only if done by whoever has the authority to make the decision. The degree is "otorgado" by the principal (or whoever), but that does not mean that he is going to be the one who hands over the diploma.

Thanks for the confirmation, Lazarus. Any thoughts on my question about ortogar/present'

The name of the cap for graduates is "bonete", by the way.

Yes, in English the correct name for this is mortarboard, but in normal speech we often just call it a cap, and especially when used as a pair in "cap and gown," which always refers to the graduation uniform. I assumed that gorra was used similarly in Spanish. Is that not correct?

I see now that you have edited your post (as is your modus operandi) and answered by other question. So, it sounds to me like you agree that present and ortogar are not really the proper translation pair in this context. I don't know whether the English or the Spanish came first (this was a phrase of the day), but I think the second one was poorly translated.