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Training and Education

In Washington County, students can pursue a range of higher education opportunities, from certificate programs requiring less than one year of study all the way through a Ph.D. Additional opportunities for education and training are available within a few hours of the County, including Virginia Tech, a world-class research institution.

Programs and Institutions

Virginia Highlands Community College, located in Abingdon, VA has an enrollment of over 3,000 students. Programs include:

– Electrical Technology
– Mechatronics
– Precision Machining
– Welding
– Information Systems Technology
– Cybersecurity

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, located in Washington County (Abingdon) was established in 1992 as the first multi-college and university institution of higher education in the Commonwealth. Partnerships with public and private colleges and universities provide degree programs, certificates, and professional development courses through a variety of learning options and schedules, including day, evening, and online classes. Partners include: Radford University, The University of Virginia, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, King University, East Tennessee State University, Emory & Henry College, Bluefield College, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech.

Established in 1836Emory and Henry College is a private liberal arts institution located in Washington County.  Emory and Henry College is widely recognized by several national ranking programs, including a Top National Liberal Arts College (U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges).  The college offers over 30 undergraduate and graduate majors.

Virginia Tech, located 90 minutes north of Washington County in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Tech enrolls overs 36,000 students, and offers 280 undergraduate and graduate majors, including:

– Aerospace engineering
– Chemical engineering
– Electrical engineering
– Industrial and systems engineering
– Materials science
– Packaging systems and design

Virginia Tech’s research portfolio exceeds $500 million, and helps to position the university among the National Science Foundation’s Top 50 for Total R&D expenditures.