The incident happened just before 10 p.m. Monday at the college's Center for Media and Design on Stewart Street, according to a statement from the school.
The victim, who has not been identified, was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
Johnnie Adams, the school's chief of police, said in a statement that the shooting was a "workplace violence incident" and not a random act.
A description or identity of the suspect was not available.
All Santa Monica College campuses will be closed Tuesday.