Santa Monica College announced Wednesday that it has received final approval to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in cloud computing, its second four-year program, aimed at meeting growing workforce demand in the technology sector.
The program, approved by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and the Accrediting Commission of Community & Junior Colleges, is expected to launch in fall 2027, according to college officials.
The new degree builds on Santa Monica College’s existing cloud computing curriculum, which includes certificate and associate degree pathways developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in cloud-based technologies, a rapidly growing field across industries, according to the college.
“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,” Santa Monica College President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery said in a statement.
She added that the program is intended to provide an affordable pathway for students from diverse backgrounds to enter high-demand careers.
A labor market analysis cited by the college found strong regional demand for cloud-related occupations, with an estimated 2,700-plus annual job openings in the Los Angeles area. About 65% of those positions require a bachelor’s degree, and median salaries exceed $150,000, according to the analysis.
Officials said the curriculum will align with industry-recognized certifications, including those from Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and CompTIA, and will emphasize hands-on training and real-world projects to prepare students for the workforce.
The program is expected to cost about $10,000 annually for California residents, making it one of the more affordable four-year degree options in the field, according to the college.
Santa Monica College launched its first bachelor’s degree program in interaction design in 2015 as part of a statewide pilot program.