Customer Service
Free online noncredit certificate building customer-service skills for jobs across customer-driven industries.
3171 S. Bundy Dr., Office 112, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Open-enrollment noncredit courses offered year-round across Fall, Spring, and some Summer/Winter terms; sections vary by semester
No experience required
Program Philosophy
Santa Monica College's noncredit (School of Continuing & Community Education) initiative offers tuition-free, short-term training to help adults build job-ready skills and bridge into credit college or the workforce. Classes are open to the community with no prerequisites, removing cost and access barriers so motivated learners can gain marketable, entry-level skills and a certificate of completion in a single semester.
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People seeking customer-facing jobs in service, retail, or hospitality
Two courses (BUS 911 Customer Service Level 1 and BUS 912 Customer Service Level 2); typically offered online on Thursdays (evenings), each about 6 weeks. Varies by term.
Practical customer-service skills and professional communication, plus a certificate
Cost & Outcomes
This training is completely free. Santa Monica College noncredit courses and certificates are tuition-free, with no repayment, no student debt, and no hidden program costs. Enrolled students who need a computer can borrow a free Chromebook from the Noncredit Student Services team while supplies last.
Who This Program is Built For
This program was specifically designed with these communities in mind. If you see yourself, you belong here.
What Sets This Program Apart
Tuition-free, open-enrollment noncredit certificate
Flexible online delivery
Theory and practical application of the customer-service exchange
Marketable skills for many customer-driven industries
Completed in about one semester across two short courses
Day in the Life
- Live online class on Thursday evenings, about two to three hours (6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for Level 1; 6:00 to 8:05 p.m. for Level 2)
- Lessons on the theory of the customer-service exchange
- Practice handling customer encounters, including difficult situations and service recovery
- Discussion of how customer-service skills apply across many industries
Taught by Santa Monica College noncredit faculty who meet California Community Colleges minimum qualifications, which set degree and field-experience requirements for noncredit instructors.
Soft and technical skills you'll gain by program completion.
Highs & Lows
Attending evening online classes after a workday and building the confidence to handle difficult customer interactions calmly.
Learning skills that transfer to nearly any customer-facing job and earning a free certificate in a single semester.
Employment Support
Noncredit counseling and workshops to help students plan next steps into jobs or further college coursework
Career Services Center support, including career counseling, job search help, and the HireSMC job board where local employers post openings
City of Santa Monica job resources offered with local workforce partners to connect job seekers with local employment
How It Works
Apply to SMC as a student (free) at smc.edu/apply to get an SMC ID and student email
Register for the noncredit course(s) through Corsair Connect, or email NoncreditRegistration@smc.edu or call 310-434-3399 for help enrolling
Attend classes and complete all required courses in the certificate's area of emphasis
Petition for the Certificate of Completion
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact us.All SMC noncredit courses and certificates are tuition-free.
No. SMC noncredit classes are open to the community with no prerequisites (intermediate or higher ESL is recommended for some courses).
Adults 18 and over. F1 student visa holders are not eligible for noncredit courses.
Apply at smc.edu/apply, then register through Corsair Connect or contact the Noncredit office at 310-434-3399 / NoncreditRegistration@smc.edu.