Pasco–Hernando Community College (PHCC) is the youngest two-year community college in Florida. With four campuses in Brooksville, Dade City, New Port Richey and Spring Hill, PHCC serves Pasco and Hernando counties in the central west coast of Florida. PHCC was established in 1967 by the Florida Legislature and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate's degree. In addition, the college offers many other certification programs in the fields of computer science, health occupations, and law enforcement. One of the newest programs is the Educator Preparation Institute, an alternative teacher certification program. PHCC also offers GED preparation classes to prepare students to test for the GED diploma, and dual-enrollment classes for high school students. Many students select the two-year community college as an excellent alternative to higher priced four-year institutions with the prospect of transferring. Alumni Status is open to Pasco-Hernando Community College graduates, all former students of PHCC who regularly matriculated and left the college in good standing.