Santa Monica College starts accepting applications Thursday, Oct. 1, for a Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing that costs California residents an estimated $10,000 before financial aid.

The four-year degree is SMC's second bachelor's program, following its B.S. in Interaction Design launched in 2015. The application window targets students entering as juniors, with classes set to begin in fall 2027.

Students who apply by Jan. 15 receive priority consideration. The final deadline for remaining seats is March 1. Applicants can apply while still finishing prerequisite courses but must pass them with a C or better by the end of spring 2027, according to SMC's program page. A college-level math course, statistics or higher, is required for eligibility.

The program offers online, in-person and hybrid options to support working students. Part-time course patterns are also available.

SMC developed the curriculum in collaboration with Amazon Web Services and plans to partner with the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance for applied learning projects. The college has shared its cloud computing coursework with 19 other LA-area community colleges. The program prepares graduates for AWS Solutions Architect credentials, according to SMC.

A labor market study commissioned by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office projected 2,777 annual job openings in software development and cloud-related fields in the Los Angeles region. Median annual earnings in the field exceed $150,000, and 65% of workers hold a bachelor's degree, the Santa Monica Mirror reported.

"This new baccalaureate degree marks an important moment for Santa Monica College …" SMC Superintendent/President Kathryn E. Jeffery said in an April statement, when the program received final approval from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and the Accrediting Commission of Community & Junior Colleges.

Valerie Singer, general manager of global education at AWS, said in a Sept. 25 statement that the program combines cloud and artificial intelligence training with critical thinking and hands-on capstone work.

Howard Stahl, chair of SMC's Computer Science & Information Systems department, helped develop the curriculum.

International students who complete the program qualify for up to three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT). SMC also offers a short-term certificate, a certificate of achievement and an associate degree in cloud computing.

Program details and info session schedules are available at smc.edu/cloud or by emailing [email protected].