The following is a submission from SMC.
Santa Monica College (SMC) will be accepting applications from prospective students interested in its second baccalaureate program, a Bachelor of Science degree in Cloud Computing, beginning October 1, 2026. The October 1 application window is specifically for those seeking to enter the program as a junior; all relevant information—including course offerings, program launch timelines, admission requirements, schedule of upcoming info sessions, and more—is available at smc.edu/cloud.
Classes—with online, in-person, and hybrid options—are slated to begin in the Fall 2027 semester. Applications received by January 15, 2027 will fall into the “priority application” category, with the final application deadline for remaining available seats being March 1, 2027. The cost of the four-year baccalaureate degree for California residents—not accounting for financial aid—is an estimated $10,000, one of the most affordable career education options in this high-demand field. The baccalaureate program also qualifies international students for up to three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon graduation.
The four-year degree—SMC’s second, in addition to the Bachelor of Science in Interaction Design, launched in 2015—is designed to meet regional needs in a rapidly growing tech sector. A recent labor market study commissioned by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office noted that SMC’s Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing was slated to meet strong demand for software developers and cloud-related occupations in the Los Angeles region, with projections estimating 2,777 annual job openings, with 65% of workers in the field requiring a baccalaureate degree. Median annual earnings exceeding $150,000 underscore the program’s relevance and wage-earning potential for prospective students.
In addition to its unparalleled affordability, SMC’s baccalaureate program in Cloud Computing offers the following advantages: cutting-edge curriculum which builds upon the success and foundation of the lower-division cloud computing curriculum the College developed and launched in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS); experienced faculty with industry experience and academic expertise; flexibility with online, on-campus, and hybrid options; small class sizes allowing for personalized attention and a highly engaging learning environment; hands-on learning opportunities with real-world case studies, lab exercises, a pathway to obtaining industry certifications, and more; and enhanced support/personalized guidance to assist students with career services and job placement.
SMC will also be partnering with the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, a coalition that connects higher education and industry, to bring additional applied learning to SMC students, giving them more opportunities to build job-ready skills through real-world projects. SMC’s Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing program was designed to be in alignment with industry-recognized certifications, including preparation for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Professional credential.
In an April 2026 press release sharing the news of SMC’s receiving final approval from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and the Accrediting Commission of Community & Junior Colleges to launch this four-year degree, Valerie Singer, GM of Global Education at AWS, stated: “Cloud and AI expertise rank among the most sought-after skills in today’s workforce. But technical skills alone aren’t enough. Programs like Santa Monica College’s Bachelor’s in Cloud Computing are essential because they combine practical cloud and AI training with critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and hands-on capstone experiences, preparing graduates with the complete skill set employers actually need across industries.”
SMC also offers a short-term department certificate, a certificate of achievement, and an Associate degree option in the field, providing students with various options to receive hands-on training to become a cloud computing professional. Cloud computing has reshaped the IT industry, giving companies the ability to access powerful computing resources through on-demand platforms — such as Amazon Web Services — eliminating the requirement to build and maintain their own physical infrastructure.
For more information, please visit smc.edu/cloud or email cloud@smc.edu. Santa Monica College is a California Community College accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Junior & Community Colleges.
