About
About Santa Monica College
Welcome!
You've come to a special place. We believe that Santa Monica College offers an outstanding and unique
educational experience. We also believe that we provide the community a wealth of resources.
What makes us special? Aside from our academic excellence, we have features unique to us –
including the John Drescher Planetarium; the beautiful Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center,
a premiere performing arts venue; and the Academy of Entertainment & Technology.
Santa Monica College – a two-year community college accredited by the Western Association of
Schools and Colleges – opened in 1929 with just 153 students. It has now grown to a thriving campus
with approximately 34,000 students and offerings in more than 80 fields of study.
We have an impressive academic record. We are the leader among the state's 112 community colleges
in transferring students to the University of California, University of Southern California and other fouryear campuses.
We also pride ourselves on preparing students for careers of the 21st century – in such fields as
nursing and health care, solar technology and other “green― careers, entertainment technology,
computer technology, early childhood education, business, graphic design and other occupations.
Santa Monica College is one of the most affordable institutions of higher education in the world. And
we have an active Financial Aid office that will help you get the funds you need to pay for your college
education.
Set on a 38-acre main campus less than two miles from the beach and several nearby satellite
campuses, Santa Monica College has everything today's student needs to succeed – computer labs,
athletic facilities, performing and visual arts spaces, and active student clubs. Our state-of-the-art
facilities have won numerous architectural and sustainability awards, as has our beautiful Quad with
fountains, palm trees and benches. Our award-winning faculty works closely with students to ensure
their success, and we have numerous student services to help students meet their goals.
Our academic excellence and prime location in a vibrant urban area attracts students from all over the
world. Santa Monica College boasts one of the largest international student populations of any
community college in the nation, with approximately 3,300 from more than 100 countries.
Members of our community are invited to take advantage of a wealth of affordable cultural and
recreational offerings, including concerts, plays, art and photo shows, and lectures. The college has
attracted world-renowned speakers, including President Clinton.
Our Continuing & Contract Education program offers year round a broad range of classes – in such
fields as computers, career enhancement, the arts, self development, and fitness.
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History