Santa Monica College

What is the history of Santa Monica College?

Santa Monica College is a public community college founded in 1929 as Santa Monica Junior College. It began by offering local students a way to pursue college-level study close to home and later adopted its current name as its programs and role expanded.

Today, SMC offers associate degrees, career-focused certificates, transfer preparation and a bachelor's degree in interaction design. That combination matters to applicants: although transfer remains a prominent pathway, students can also pursue credentials intended for entry into particular fields. The college is part of the Santa Monica Community College District.

What are the faculties and departments at Santa Monica College?

Santa Monica College organizes instruction across academic departments and programs rather than the graduate schools or professional colleges typical of a research university. Its offerings include arts and humanities, business, computer science, mathematics, natural and social sciences, health fields and technical education.

Students can pursue associate degrees and certificates in areas such as business, film and media, computer-related fields, nursing and the performing arts. SMC also offers a bachelor's degree in interaction design, a distinct option that should not be mistaken for a general expansion of the college into four-year degrees. Some career programs have prerequisite courses, limited space or separate application steps; students should check the catalog requirements for the exact credential they want.

What is the location of Santa Monica College?

Santa Monica College's main campus is at 1900 Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, California, within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is an urban college with additional instructional locations, including facilities used for media, design and performing arts programs.

The setting gives students access to employers and cultural institutions across the region, but travel time can be significant. The Metro E Line's 17th Street/SMC station and local Big Blue Bus routes provide alternatives to driving; prospective commuters should check the route to their actual class location, not just the main campus. Los Angeles International Airport is the nearest major airport and is chiefly relevant to students traveling from farther away.

What is the mission and vision of Santa Monica College?

Santa Monica College describes its purpose in terms of accessible public education, student learning, transfer preparation and career development. Its stated priorities also encompass supporting a diverse student population and offering more than one route toward an educational goal.

Those priorities are reflected in the college's mix of transfer courses, occupational programs, continuing education and student support services. A mission statement describes institutional intentions, however; applicants should assess whether the particular program, schedule and services they need are available to them.