Santa Fe College is a state college located in Gainesville, Florida, and is a member institution of the Florida College System. Santa Fe is accredited by the Florida Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in North Central Florida, its main campus is in Gainesville, Florida. More than 50 Technology and Applied Sciences programs are accredited in their respective fields. In 2009, Santa Fe was listed 6th in the nation in awarding AA degrees. Santa Fe College was established by the Florida Legislature in 1966 in response to a request from the Alachua and Bradford County Boards of Public Instruction, which had canvassed the area and learned that the community would be well served if all citizens have the opportunity for an education. There are programs at Santa Fe that match the interests and meet the needs of almost every student. Most of these programs can be completed in two years. In 2008, Santa Fe College officially changed its name to emphasize the bachelor's degree programs that it will be offering. Offering the Associate of Arts Degree, the Arts and Sciences Program consists primarily of liberal arts and sciences courses.