SMC to Launch Bachelor’s Degree in Cloud Computing

Santa Monica College Receives Approval to Offer Baccalaureate Degree in Cloud Computing

SMC’s Second Four-Year Program Will Meet Regional Demands for Cloud-Related Occupations with Strong Competitive Salaries, Expected to Launch Fall 2027 

SANTA MONICA, CA—Santa Monica College (SMC) has received final approval from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and the Accrediting Commission of Community & Junior Colleges to launch a Bachelor of Science degree in Cloud Computing. The four-year degree will be SMC’s second, after its B.S. in Interaction Design (IxD)—which was launched as part of a landmark statewide pilot program in 2015—and is slated to meet regional needs in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy.

This new baccalaureate program will build upon the success and foundation of the lower-division cloud computing curriculum SMC developed and launched in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Currently, the college offers a short-term department certificate, a certificate of achievement, and an Associate degree option in the field, enabling students to receive hands-on training to become a cloud computing professional. The advent of cloud computing transformed the IT landscape, enabling businesses to leverage computing services via cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

A labor market study commissioned by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office noted that SMC’s proposed 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.

SMC’s Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing is expected to launch Fall 2027, with applications to be accepted prior. Updates will be posted at smc.edu/Cloud.

“This new baccalaureate degree marks an important moment for Santa Monica College, in fulfilling our mission of continuing to be a leader in preparing students for careers, as well as transfers,” said SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery. “SMC, with its longstanding record of academic rigor and comprehensive student support, is uniquely positioned to train students in this innovative field. And by providing a highly affordable pathway that will meet regional needs while enabling our students—who come from diverse backgrounds—to thrive, now, that is a win-win!”

California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs James Todd added that “Santa Monica College’s Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing reflects our system’s continued promise to Californians of expanding access to affordable, workforce-aligned programs.”

“Developed with regional industry partners, these bachelor’s degrees create direct pathways to high-demand careers,” Todd stated. “Statewide, approximately 90% of our baccalaureate graduates work in the same field as their degree and typically double their earnings. Equally important, this program will give place-bound students in Santa Monica a clear path to an affordable, career-ready bachelor’s degree close to home.”

The new baccalaureate program was designed to be in alignment with industry-recognized certifications, including preparation for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate credential (other industry certifications SMC’s cloud computing curriculum prepares students for include AWS, Microsoft Azure and CompTIA). 

“Cloud and AI expertise rank among the most sought-after skills in today's workforce," said Valerie Singer, GM of Global Education at AWS. "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."

Howard Stahl, the chair of SMC’s Computer Science & Information Systems department—who helped develop the curriculum—said SMC’s alignment with industry-recognized certifications like AWS Solutions Architect - Professional “prepares students to transition from the college into high-demand roles that employers desperately need and have a hard time filling.”

“Our faculty, in collaboration with industry partners, have built a curriculum that emphasizes applied learning, combines hands-on tools, industry technologies, best practices, and pairs it with a real-world capstone project to prepare our graduates for a fantastic future in tech,” Stahl added.

SMC Vice President of Academic Affairs Jason Beardsley further stated that the expanding Cloud Computing program “opens a bright new pathway to a four-year degree for hundreds of local students and supports the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s goal of increasing bachelor’s degree attainment 30% by 2030.”

For California residents, the cost of SMC’s baccalaureate degree in cloud computing—not including financial aid—is an estimated $10,000 annually, making it one of the most affordable four-year options in the field available in the region. Prospective students may fill out an interest form at smc.edu/Cloud to receive updates on program launch timelines, course offerings, and more. 

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