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Santa Monica College is a dream destination for students from around the world. As an SMC student, you’ll enjoy a world-class educational experience with dedicated professors and advisors who help you achieve your academic goals. The college has approximately 26,000 students and offers more than 180 certificate and degree programs, with excellent opportunities to transfer to top four-year universities in the United States. SMC has an international and culturally diverse student community with more than 1,800 international students from over 110 countries.
Why Study at Santa Monica College?
Excellent university transfer opportunities.
Affordable, world-class education.
Dedicated, highly qualified instructors.
An exceptionally large network of academic advisors.
Santa Monica College is located in sunny Santa Monica in Southern California. From campus, you’re close to the beach, where you can sunbathe, swim, surf, cycle along the coast, visit the amusement park at Santa Monica Pier, or shop along the pedestrian-friendly Third Street Promenade. The Santa Monica Mountains are ideal for scenic excursions, and a short road trip takes you to the ski resorts of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. The college is also close to famous Los Angeles attractions such as Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Dodger Stadium.
Santa Monica College offers more than 180 degree and certificate programs, ranging from short career-focused certificates to two-year Associate Degrees and four-year Bachelor’s Degrees. The programs combine a strong academic foundation with practical career preparation and provide excellent opportunities to continue your studies at a four-year university. The college also offers individual courses through Study Abroad and language studies through the Intensive English Program. With a wide range of study formats and program lengths, you can tailor your study plan to your goals and timeline.
Study Abroad allows you to take individual courses for one semester up to one year, with the option to continue beyond that. You choose your courses after being admitted to the college, and upon arrival, the college’s academic advisors help you register for your preferred classes. In many cases, the courses you take can count toward a university degree in your home country. It is not uncommon to begin with Study Abroad and then continue toward an Associate Degree.
A Certificate Program allows you to complete a shorter, more focused program in a specific career field. Unlike Study Abroad, where you freely choose individual courses, you follow a set curriculum leading to a formal career credential. The program consists only of courses in your chosen field, unlike an Associate Degree, which also includes general education courses. Programs take approximately six months to two years to complete, depending on the certificate, making them a flexible option for quickly building practical career skills. Some Certificate Programs may also make you eligible to apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training) and work in the United States in your field of study after graduation.
An Associate Degree is a two-year program that gives you a strong academic foundation and prepares you both for a career in your field and for further study. After completing an Associate Degree, you can transfer to a four-year university and enter as a junior (third-year student), making the program a cost-effective way to begin a university education. Santa Monica College offers Associate Degrees in a wide range of subjects, giving you the flexibility to find the right area of study.
Santa Monica College also offers Bachelor’s Degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Interaction Design. The program takes four years: the first two comprise a Graphic Design Associate Degree, and the final two consist of advanced, full-time IxD courses. Developed with extensive industry expertise, the program prepares you for competitive careers in design, user experience (UX), and technology. SMC is gradually expanding its range of Bachelor’s Degree programs in high-growth fields of the future, including Cloud Computing.
The Intensive English Program (IEP) helps you improve your English until you are ready to take college-level academic courses. The program has several start dates throughout the year, and the length of your studies depends in part on your English proficiency and when you begin. After completing the program, you can continue to SMC’s regular academic courses.
Santa Monica College offers programs in seven broad areas of interest, from Business and STEM to Art, Media and Entertainment, and Health and Wellness. Coursework combines academic theory with hands-on experiences such as studio work, laboratory work, and industry collaborations in the Los Angeles area, giving you real-world experience in your field of study. International students receive ongoing support through academic advising and career guidance throughout their studies, helping you find the right program for your goals.
Santa Monica College follows a semester system, with two main semesters of approximately 16 weeks each, beginning in the fall and spring. The college also offers a winter session of approximately six weeks and a summer session of six to eight weeks, allowing you to take additional courses and accelerate your study plan. Exact start dates may vary from year to year.
Semester start: Late August
Semester end: Late December Application deadline: July 15*
Winter Session 6 weeks
Semester start: Early January
Semester end: Early February Application deadline: November 15*
Spring Semester 16 weeks
Semester start: Mid-February
Semester end: Mid-June
Application deadline: January 5*
Summer Session 6–8 weeks
Semester start: Mid-June
Semester end: Mid-August or earlier Application deadline: May 15*
* Please note that the application deadline is the college’s official deadline. We recommend applying at least a few months in advance to ensure you have enough time to meet the admission requirements, complete the application documents, and arrange your student visa. Do not hesitate to submit your application even if you are applying late. We will help you through the process.
Prices for Studying at Santa Monica College
Calistudies’ close partnership with Santa Monica College means that we help you free of charge with your entire application to the school, as well as applying for a visa and student financing. Below are the school’s estimated costs.
Estimated annual cost (2 semesters, 24 credits per year):
Tuition and fees*: $14,099
Living expenses**: $19,901
Total estimated cost: $34,000 per year.
*Includes tuition ($486 per credit), college fees, and mandatory health insurance. If you take more than 24 credits during the year, the cost increases because tuition is charged per credit.
**Includes housing, food, books/course materials, and personal expenses. Students with access to free housing and meals in the Santa Monica area can deduct $13,869 from the estimated cost. The cost is an estimate.
*Includes tuition ($486 per credit), college fees, and mandatory health insurance. If you take more than 24 credits during the year, the cost increases because tuition is charged per credit.
**Includes housing, food, books/course materials, and personal expenses. Students with access to free housing and meals in the Santa Monica area can deduct $13,869 from the estimated cost. The cost is an estimate.
**Includes housing, food, books/course materials, and personal expenses. Students with access to free housing and meals in the Santa Monica area may deduct part of the annual cost; contact Calistudies for more information. The cost is an estimate.
Once you have been admitted to the college, you will receive additional payment instructions. Payments are made directly to the college.
Financing Your Studies
Scholarships and Loans for Studying in the USA
There are several ways to finance your studies in the USA, including scholarships, grants, and student loan programs. In many cases, these options can help cover tuition fees, living costs, insurance, and travel.
Small scholarships are available to students at Santa Monica College. Many scholarships can be applied for after you have begun your studies and meet the scholarship requirements. Scholarships are competitive and should not be relied on as the primary source of funding for your studies.
International students with F-1 visas may work on campus while studying. Open positions can be found through the college’s Career Services Center or by contacting campus departments directly. After at least two semesters in an academic program, students may in some cases be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if the internship is part of their program. Students who complete a qualifying program may also be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
Housing at Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College is located in a residential area near a variety of housing options for students. Many students choose to live in apartments close to campus or rent rooms from host families. Staff at the International Education Center can advise you on student-friendly neighborhoods and answer other housing-related questions. The center also maintains a list of available housing that is updated daily. SMC does not offer residence halls or on-campus housing.
Apply to Santa Monica College
Start Your Application
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