Educating those that serve in the military is an important commitment of NC State as a Land Grant institution through Distance Education (DE) program offerings. In July 2004, Distance Education established strategic partnerships with all NC military bases Education Service Centers as part of the new UNC consortium. The importance of bringing DE and online learning to service members and their families provides flexible access to high quality learning opportunities, courses and degree programs that would not have been otherwise available. DE provides proctoring support, student services and student recruitment through the military partnership to the seven military Education Service Centers.
The NC General Assembly approved legislation to provide service members and their families in-state tuition for DE and online degree/programs. This provided the opportunity for hundreds of service members to expand their education and receive an NC State University degree without coming to campus and still meet their service requirements.