Discovery and spreading of new knowledge is the main goal of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Through its emphasis on teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement, the university creates, delivers, and applies knowledge to expand personal growth and opportunity, improve social and community development, foster economic competitiveness, and improve the quality of life.

Since its beginning in 1999, Virginia Tech's Institute for Distance and Distributed Learning continues to provide leadership, coordination, management, and support of the university's distance and distributed activities and reinforce the University's role as a recognized leader in eLearning through its holistic approach.

Virginia Tech offers eLearning degrees and certificates at the graduate level. Bachelor's degrees are not offered. Program courses are delivered online, via interactive videoconferencing, or by a mix of online and videoconferencing components.

Virginia Tech presents three types of eLearning courses:
* Online courses are accessed over the internet and can usually be taken from any computer in the world. Courses take place over a set term.

* Interactive videoconferencing courses are in-classroom courses linked by interactive video to multiple classrooms. These courses also take place over a set term. Students need to attend scheduled lectures at a connected location.

* Online training for personal and professional development courses are accessed over the internet and can be taken at any time from any computer. Theses courses are self-paced.

Financial Aid
The Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid supports the University’s student access, enrollment, and retention goals by providing the financial means to encourage economic, social, cultural, and academic diversity in the student body. We offer different types of Financial Aid: Scholarships, Federal Work Study, Loans, Grants, Waivers, and Graduate Assistantships.

Accreditation
Virginia Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).