Overview
Santa Monica College is a public community college in Santa Monica, California.
It offers a broad catalogue of associate degrees and certificates, and many students use it as a first step toward a four-year university. Courses are organised into more than two dozen academic departments, ranging from art, business and computer science to health sciences, life sciences and modern languages.
The college also awards bachelor's degrees. A Bachelor of Science in Interaction Design is available now, and a Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing is planned to begin in 2027.
Both are upper-division programs built on the community college pathway.
Enrollment fees for California residents are set per unit, and nonresident and international students pay additional per-unit tuition. First-time students from California high schools may qualify for the SMC Promise, which covers enrollment fees when financial aid and unit requirements are met.
International students on F-1 or F-2 visas have their own fee schedule, and the college runs a foundation-funded scholarship cycle open to all for-credit students.
Location & Contact
Geographic and contact information for Santa Monica College is listed below.
Academic Details
Santa Monica College's key academic numbers — student body size, staffing, and accreditation context.
Academic Structures
Below is how Santa Monica College is organised academically — the schools, faculties, and units.
Unit 25 items
- Art
- Athletics
- Business
- Communication & Media Studies
- Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS)
- Cosmetology
- Counseling
- Dance
- Design Technology
- Earth Sciences
- Education and Early Childhood
- English
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Health Sciences
- History
- Kinesiology & Athletics
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Music
- Philosophy and Social Sciences
- Photography and Fashion
- Physical Sciences
- Psychology
- Theatre Arts
Programs Offered
The full set of programmes Santa Monica College offers is searchable and grouped by level below.
100 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United States
Bachelor's Degree 2 programmes
Associate's Degree 54 programmes
Showing 10 of 54.
Certificate 44 programmes
Showing 10 of 44.
Scholarships in United States
the United States-wide scholarships, relevant to students considering Santa Monica College or other institutions there.
How to apply to Santa Monica College
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Santa Monica College, in five steps.
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1
Research programmes at Santa Monica College
Use the programme finder to browse Santa Monica College's 100 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Review admissions criteria
Programme-level requirements at Santa Monica College typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Gather supporting documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
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4
Lodge your application
Santa Monica College processes applications through www.smc.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Confirm receipt and track progress
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Monica College
Common questions about Santa Monica College — answers from its published profile.
What city is Santa Monica College in?
Santa Monica College operates from Santa Monica, United States.
Is Santa Monica College a public or private institution?
Santa Monica College is a public institution.
How big is Santa Monica College's student body?
Santa Monica College serves approximately 21,440 students.
What is Santa Monica College's academic structure?
The institution comprises 25 academic units.
What is Santa Monica College's official website?
Santa Monica College's official website is www.smc.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Top universities in the United States differ from flagship status: top is rankings-defined; flagship is often historically defined. The lists may overlap but are not identical.
Faculties at nearby universities
Universities located near Santa Monica College are listed below.
Where Else to Study Business Administration
Universities in the United States with Business Administration programmes appear below, alongside Santa Monica College.
Universities Compared with Santa Monica College
Below are universities sometimes compared with Santa Monica College.
Studying in United States: guides and resources
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