Santa Monica College (SMC) offers free, fully online sustainability classes that lead to noncredit certificates. They are a low-risk way for anyone in California to learn the basics of sustainability work and earn a credential to show for it.
Quick answer: Santa Monica College’s Sustainability Systems & Technology program offers free, online, noncredit certificates, including Sustainability Services Technician and Sustainability Assistant, that prepare students for entry-level sustainability jobs. Classes are free for California residents.
What the SMC sustainability program offers
The program is run by SMC’s Earth Sciences Department and is built for people getting started in green and “circular economy” careers. All classes are online, with no in-person requirements, and SMC says the classes are free for all California residents (Santa Monica College).
The certificates are noncredit certificates of completion. That means they are a fast way to build skills and show employers what you have learned, but SMC notes they are not a substitute for a credit certificate or an associate degree.
The certificates
When this program was first announced, SMC offered two certificates. It now lists three:
- Sustainability Services Technician: Covers sustainability principles, materials and environmental assessment methods, and clean technology systems. It is a pathway to jobs like entry-level sustainability assessor or program technician.
- Sustainability Assistant: Covers sustainability principles, community engagement, education and outreach, and policy. It is a pathway to roles like sustainability assistant or coordinator and community engagement representative.
- Sustainability in Organics Aide: Covers sustainability principles, small-scale composting and sustainable food systems. It is a pathway to entry-level work in composting operations and food systems.
Why sustainability skills are worth learning
Green skills are useful in many kinds of jobs, from building operations to city programs to customer service at clean energy companies. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for environmental science and protection technicians will grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations (BLS).
California’s climate laws also create local demand. Rules like SB 1383, which requires cities to keep food scraps and yard waste out of landfills, mean more programs that need people who understand composting, outreach and recycling.
How to get started
- Visit the SMC Sustainability Systems & Technology page to read about each certificate.
- Apply to Santa Monica College online at smc.edu/apply.
- Talk with an SMC counselor about which classes count toward the certificate you want.
- Register for your first online class and plan a steady pace each term.
Why the Accessible Sustainability Alliance supports it
The Accessible Sustainability Alliance (ASA), operated by the Wann Heritage Foundation, works to make sustainability easy to understand and act on. Free, online coursework from a local community college fits that mission. We fully recommend this opportunity and support its hands-on learning.
Frequently asked questions
Are the SMC sustainability certificates really free?
SMC says the classes are free for all California residents. Check with the college about any costs for books or materials, and about options if you live outside California.
Do I need to go to campus?
No. SMC says all classes in the program are online with no in-person requirements, so you can take them from anywhere.
Is a noncredit certificate the same as a degree?
No. A noncredit certificate of completion shows you finished a set of courses, but it does not replace a credit certificate or an associate degree. It can be a good first step before more study.
Explore your own footprint
Want to practice the kind of thinking these classes teach? Our free Sustainability Lab lets you explore your household’s carbon, water, energy, waste, transportation and food impacts in one place.
Related guides
- Beyond the Runway: Why Sustainable Fashion Takes Center Stage at SMC’s LA Mode 2025
- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Disaster Support Distribution at Santa Monica College
- Individuals Matter! Small Collective Actions Drive Meaningful Outcomes
Sources
- Santa Monica College, Sustainability Systems & Technology
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
Written and reviewed by the Accessible Sustainability Alliance editorial team. Last updated October 5, 2026.
