Cardinal Education - Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, Electrical & Computer Engineering and  Industrial & Systems Engineering offer distance learning classes through Cardinal Education.

Electrical and Computer Engineering:
Extended Campus Director: Dr. Joseph Tront at jgtront@vt.edu
Graduate Counselor: Mary Brewer at taylorm@vt.edu ph:(540) 231-2163

Systems Engineering:
Faculty Program Advisor: Dr. Konstantinos Triantis at triantis@vt.edu
Graduate Coordinator: Paula Van Curen at pcuren@vt.edu ph: (540) 231-2364

Engineering Administration:
Faculty Program Advisor: Ken Harmon at kharmon@vt.edu
Graduate Coordinator:Paula Van Curen at pcuren@vt.edu ph: (540) 231-2364 

Please visit the Admissions Criteria Page.

Most classes can can be taken in real person at either the Blacksburg or Northern Virginia. For those not at these locations, courses are also broadcast in real time via Zoom.

No, a student is able to take up to 12 semester hours before enrolling in a master’s degree program through the Commonwealth Campus. The graduate school website provides application. 

Cardinal Education delivers graduate engineering courses to students located across the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.  Most courses are delivered to students on-campus (Blacksburg, Northern Virginia or both) and off-campus via Zoom.

At this time there are no undergraduate degrees that can be achieved completely online. However, there are classes that are offered in an online format.  To find these classes, go to the timetable of classes and search under "Virtual Campus".

Yes, we have several courses that can be taken through the Continuing Education Center of Virginia Tech.

Required courses are typically offered during the fall and spring semesters. However, it is possible to encourage the offering of summer courses by communicating your interest to your academic advisor. Virginia Tech offers engineering courses at a distance that are not part of the Cardinal Education that may be acceptable additions to your plan of study.  To find these classes, go to the timetable of classes and search under "Virtual Campus".