Counseling Programs

The SMC Counseling Department has a number of specialized counseling programs to meet the specific needs you may have. To find a program for you, select from the options below where you will find the location, phone number, link (if available), and description for the various counseling programs available at SMC. If you need help in deciding which programs are right for you, you may also meet with a counselor.

• Transfer/Counseling Center
  Counseling Complex
  310/434-4210

The Transfer/Counseling Center provides educational and personal counseling to all SMC students, and is often the "first stop" for students seeking counseling assistance.

General services include counseling regarding life/school balance, overcoming barriers to success, and other related issues; assistance with course selection and academic planning; advisement on career certificates, Associate of Arts degree and transfer requirements; discussion of important dates and deadlines; and counseling for probationary or disqualified students.

Transfer services include visits from campus representatives from over 60 four-year institutions, campus tours of California colleges and universities, and workshops on the transfer application process and financial aid.

• African-American Collegians Center
  Counseling Complex
  310/434-4232

The African-American Collegians Center is dedicated to promoting, encouraging, and increasing the retention, transfer, academic success, and graduation of African American students. The Black Collegians program helps guide the transfer process of Black Collegian students, and has successfully transferred Collegians to colleges and universities including Spelman College, Howard University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford. All SMC students, regardless of ethnicity, are encouraged to visit the Center.

• Associated Students
  Cayton Center
  310/434-4000

Associated Students provides students with the opportunity to enrich their college experience by becoming involved in student government and in a variety of campus clubs.

• Athletics Counseling
  Physical Education Bldg
  215 310/434-8017

This program assists SMC athletes with academic planning, class scheduling, unit enrollment requirements, athletic eligibility, and other athlete-specific educational and counseling issues.

• CalWORKS
  Counseling Complex Bungalow
  310/434-4082

California's welfare reform program, CalWORKS, offers eligible students the support needed to successfully transition from welfare to self-sufficiency. This includes academic and training support, pre-employment assistance, work-study experiences, financial resources and childcare services.

• CARE (Cooperative Agencies and Resources for Education)
  Admissions Complex, Building C, Room 104
  310/434-4449

CARE is a state-funded program that offers educational and financial support services to single parents receiving AFDC/TANF and attending SMC full time.

• Career Services Center
  Library Village 161
  310/434- 4337

The Career Services Center offers a full spectrum of employment and career services including job and employment counseling, career counseling, job placement, internship placement, and assistance with resume writing and interviewing. The Center has a full library of career resources, as well as computer-based career information systems.

• Center for Students with Disabilities
  Admissions Complex, Building B, Room 101
  310/434-4265

The center serves students with disabilities who require assistance to succeed in their academic endeavors and to actively participate in the competitive mainstream college life. This assistance includes counseling services, technical support (including readers, interpreters, and test accommodations), and specialized support classes.

• Counseling Classes

The Counseling Department offers several Counseling classes to help students achieve success in school and in life. These courses, taught by Counseling Faculty, include: Counseling 1: Developing Learning Skills; Counseling 12: Career Planning; Counseling 15: Orientation Seminar; Counseling 16: Job Success Skills; Counseling 17: Anger Management; Counseling 18: Conflict Resolution; Counseling 20: Student Success Seminar. The Department also offers many "Counseling - Special Education" courses, covering similar topics and designed specifically for students with learning and/or physical disabilities.

• EOPS (Extended Opportunities, Programs, and Services)
  Admissions Complex, Building C, Room 104
  310/434-3650

The EOPS staff provides educational and financial assistance to full-time students who come from low-income families, are first generation college students, or face other barriers to educational success.

• First Year Institute
  Welcome Center
  Cayton Center Complex - Room 110
  310/434-8470

The First Year Institute (FYI) is federally funded program to enhance the educational experience of first-time college students. FYI offers learning communities, a summer bridge program, and other activities that are designed to help first-time college students succeed at SMC.

• Health Services Center
  Cayton Center Complex
  310/434-4262

The Health Services staff provides cost-effective primary health care services to currently enrolled students. Services include: health promotion, illness prevention, mental wellness, and health education.

• International Education Center
  1734 Pearl Street
  310/434-4218

The International Education Center offers academic and personal counseling for international students who are studying at SMC on an F-1 visa.

• Latino Center
  Counseling Complex
  310/434-4452

The Latino Center is dedicated to promoting, encouraging, and increasing the retention, transfer, academic success, and graduation of Latino students. The Adelante Program is a support program that focuses on academic achievement, cultural awareness, and personal growth, and offers classes that accentuate the Latino experience. All SMC students, regardless of ethnicity, are encouraged to visit the Center.

• Nursing Counseling
  3171 South Bundy Avenue, Room 319
  310/434-3456

This program assists SMC nursing students regarding academic planning and other nursing-specific educational and counseling issues.

• Outreach Program
  1724 Pearl Street
  310/434-4189

The Outreach Program serves as a bridge between SMC and local high schools, middle schools, and community agencies to ensure a smooth transition process from high school to college. Outreach provides services to over 60 local high schools in LA County, including college and career fairs, recruitment, financial aid presentations, and application workshops. An additional part of Outreach is Out-of-State recruitment through which the college assists prospective out-of-state students interested in attending SMC. Please refer to the Welcome Center for additional information.

• Pico Partnership
  Counseling Complex
  310/434-4926

The Pico Partnership On the Move Program is a joint effort between Santa Monica College, Virginia Avenue Park and the City of Santa Monica, and is designed to provide educational counseling and financial assistance to underserved, under-represented at-risk youth living near the College.

• Scholars Program
  Library Village 117
  310/434-4059

The Scholars Program is an honors program offering academic challenges and critical support services to students with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and provides priority consideration for transfer admission to a variety of universities including UCLA, UC Irvine, Loyola Marymount University, Occidental College, Pomona, and CSU Northridge.

• Teacher Academy
  3171 S. Bundy Avenue, Room 317T
  On campus - Library Village 125
  (310) 434-8198

A teacher preparation program that provides specialized academic counseling, early fieldwork opportunities, education courses, and a variety of support services to assist future teachers in completing their educational and career goals.

• TRIO/Student Support Services
  Counseling Complex Annex
  310/434-4347

TRIO/SSS is a federally funded program designed to provide educational and financial support services to students who are either physically and/or learning disabled, from low-income families, are first generation college students, or have demonstrated academic need.

• Veterans Program
  Liberal Arts 135
  310/434-8205

This program assists honorably-discharged veterans and qualified dependents attending SMC with academic counseling and other matters pertaining to Veterans Administration benefits. The Veterans' Office is located in Liberal Arts 135.

• Welcome Center
  Cayton Center Complex, Room 110
  310/434-8101

The Welcome Center is a convenient "one-stop shop" where new students can find the information, services, and support they need to make a smooth transition to SMC. During enrollment periods, the Welcome Center has academic and financial aid counselors, staff from the Admissions Office, and trained student ambassadors are on hand to answer questions and assist new students with the admissions and enrollment process.