Admissions Procedure

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Admission to the SANS Master's Program

STEP 1 - Qualifications, Application and Required Credentials for Admissions

We welcome your interest in the SANS Master's Programs and encourage you to use our online application to expedite your admission process. For consideration in the SANS Master's Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Have three years of significant work experience upon completion of the program
  • Be employed or have current access to an organizational environment that allows them to apply the concepts learned in the SANS Master's Program.
  • Hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized college or university, or equivalent international education, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8
  • Hold a GIAC Gold Level Certification from one of the courses in the Masters program curriculum.

Applicants who satisfy these minimum requirements, may follow the steps below to apply for admission.

Admissions Application Form and Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $250.00 must be submitted with each application. Application Forms can be downloaded at http://www.sans.edu/downloads/application.pdf

  • Application Fee must be paid via credit card, U.S. currency or check, international money order, or an international check in U.S. funds drawn on a bank in the United States.

Send checks to:

SANS Institute
8120 Woodmont Ave. Ste. 205
Bethesda MD 20814

Applications will not be considered without payment of the application fee. Application Fees will NOT be waived or deferred.

Official Transcript(s)

Applicants must request Transcript(s) from each college or university attended. SANS will only accept official transcript(s) directly from the granting organization. Current Resume Applicants must provide a current resume with three references.

Letter of Recommendation


Employer Recommendation of Candidate Form

Applicant's employer must furnish a recommendation form supporting Applicant's continuing education.

Download the Employer Recommendation Request Form at http://www.sans.edu/downloads/recommendation.pdf

International Applicants - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Applicants who are not citizens of the United States must submit the following:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for applicants whose native language is not English. We require a minimum score requirement of 213 (computer-based test) or 550 (paper-based test).
  • The TOEFL Bulletin of Information and registration form can be obtained at American embassies and consulates, offices of the United States Information Service (USIS) and U.S. education commissions.

Applicants who cannot obtain a TOEFL Bulletin and registration form locally, may request them from:

TOEFL/TSE Services
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA
609-771-7975
Web: www.toefl.com

Reapplication to SANS Masters Program

Applicants reapplying for SANS Masters Program, must submit the following:

  • Reapplication form
  • Reapplication Fee
  • Current Resume with three References
  • Employer Letter of Recommendation

Applicants are not required to provide additional supplemental materials (transcripts, test scores) unless their original application is over two years old.

Download the Reapplication Form at http://www.sans.edu/downloads/re_admission.pdf

Application Submission

The completed Application for Admission and supporting credentials should be directed to:

SANS Master Program Registration
8120 Woodmont Avenue Suite 205
Bethesda, Maryland 20814

The Application Package will be considered complete for review once SANS has obtained all required materials and all credentials become property of SANS. Neither originals nor copies may be returned.

STEP 2 - Confirmation of Application Package

Applicants will be notified by SANS within five business days of receipt of the complete Application Package signaling the start of SANS admissions review.

STEP 3 - Admission Review & Applicant Interview

Application Packages will be reviewed by SANS Admissions. All information and materials furnished will be verified to preserve the integrity of the SANS Institute and each Applicant will be scheduled for a prequalification telephone interview.

STEP 4 - Acceptance Notification

Applicants will be notified by email regarding acceptance into the Master's Program within 30 days from receipt of the complete Application Package.

Required courses for the SANS Master's Program are offered two to four times per year. Therefore, no standard semester or trimesters are employed. Upon acceptance into the SANS Master's Program, Applicants may begin taking courses immediately.