Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) is a public community college which offers a diversified program designed to develop qualities of general education essential for citizens in a democratic society. The objectives of the education program are to prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate level colleges and universities, to increase vocational competence culminating in usable and marketable occupational skills, to provide a general education emphasizing basic skills and appreciation, to promote continuing education and lifelong learning, to assist the student through guidance to know and develop his/her abilities in relation to his/her potential, and to provide community service and adult education.

The College offers courses of study through a semester system. Each semester, Fall and Spring, are 18 weeks in length. Summer sessions vary in length, ranging from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. Many courses are offered in an accelerated mode.

Instruction at Mt. San Antonio College is organized under a divisional structure with departments within each division. At present, the College has six (6) instructional divisions within which there are 37 departments.