Revised 2.12.24
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REVERSE. SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
An Associate degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum grade
point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) in degree applicable coursework and a minimum of 60 degree applicable
semester units, including:
• Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course
was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
• Completion of one of the following general education patterns: SMC GE, CSU GE, or IGETC;
• Completion of the SMC Global Citizenship graduation requirement.
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
A Certificate of Achievement is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum
overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) and a designated minimum number of units, including:
• Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each Course, or with a P if the
Course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
• Completion of at least 50% of area of emphasis units at Santa Monica College. Department Chairs
have the discretion to waive the 50% minimum units required at SMC to meet the major or area of
emphasis. All major Coursework must be completed with a “C” or better grade.
DEPARTMENT CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
A Department Certificate is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a designated
minimum number of units, including:
• Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each Course, or with a P if the
Course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
• Completion of at least 50% of area of emphasis units at Santa Monica College. Department Chairs
have the discretion to waive the 50% minimum units required at SMC to meet the major or area of
emphasis. All major Coursework must be completed with a “C” or better grade.
Note: Department Certificates are not noted on student transcripts. Students must submit a petition to the
relevant academic department to be awarded a Department Certificate.
CATALOG RIGHTS
A student may satisfy the requirements of a degree that were in effect at any time of the student’s
continuous enrollment. Continuous enrollment means attendance in at least one semester (Fall or Spring) in
each academic year.
TRANSFER PREPARATION
Many colleges/universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-
year college or university should complete the lower-division major requirements and the general education
pattern for the specific transfer institution. SMC has articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU
campuses, as well as several private and out-of-state institutions.
Exact major requirements for UC and CSU campuses can be found online at assist.org.
A listing of private, nonprofit California colleges and universities can be found online at aiccu.edu. For
articulation agreements between SMC and some of these institutions see smc.edu/articulation.
The University of California system has a transfer pathway for any UC campus that offers Computer Science.
For more information, visit pathwaysguide.universityofcalifornia.edu