Accreditation
Santa Monica College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at: accjc.org.
ACCJC is one of seven institutional accrediting bodies recognized by the national Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Accreditation is a voluntary system of self-regulation developed to evaluate overall educational quality and institutional effectiveness and to provide public assurance of the quality of education based upon this evaluation.
Each institution affiliated with ACCJC voluntarily accepts the obligation to participate in a cycle of evaluation that requires a comprehensive evaluation visit by an external team of peers. The cycle includes a mandatory Midterm Report in the third year as well as any other reports requested by the Commission.
Santa Monica College's accreditation was most recently reaffirmed through a 2016 comprehensive visit.
Santa Monica College’s 2022 Institutional Self-Evaluation Report was submitted to the ACCJC on December 14, 2022.
SMC Mission Statement
Changing Lives in the Global Community Through Excellence in Education
Santa Monica College provides a safe and inclusive learning environment that encourages personal and intellectual exploration, and challenges and supports students in achieving their educational goals. Students learn to contribute to the global community as they develop an understanding of their relationship to diverse social, cultural, political, economic, technological, and natural environments. The College recognizes the critical importance of each individual's contribution to the achievement of this mission.
Santa Monica College provides open and affordable access to high quality undergraduate degrees and certificates and participates in partnerships with other colleges and universities to facilitate access to baccalaureate and higher degrees. The College’s programs and services assist students in the development of skills needed to succeed in college, prepare students for careers and transfer, and nurture a lifetime commitment to learning.
Learn more about Santa Monica College's vision and goals.
