Admissions Procedure

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Admission to SANS Technology Institute's Master's Program

STEP 1 - Qualifications, Application and Required Credentials for Admissions

We welcome your interest in SANS Technology Institute's Master's Programs and encourage you to use our online application to expedite your admission process. For consideration in the 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 Master's Program.
  • Hold a GIAC Gold Level Certification with scores on the silver exam of 80 (or average of 80 if there are two silver exams) or higher. For persons interested in the MSISE program, the recommended Certification is GIAC GSEC Gold (related to the SEC 401 SANS Security Essentials course). For persons interested in the MSISM program, the recommended Certification is GIAC GSLC Gold (related to MGT 512 SANS Security Leadership Essentials for Managers). Other major GIAC Gold Level Certifications can qualify as long as they are: related to the Master's Program, and equivalent to the Certifications that apply to the "six-day" courses.
  • Hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized college or university, or equivalent international education, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8. There are two exceptions to the 2.8 minimum.
    • Exception 1: A minimum cumulative GPA of less than 2.8 may be considered for acceptance if Applicant has years of related work experience, and holds at least TWO GIAC Gold Certifications of the type described above.
    • Exception 2: A minimum cumulative GPA of less than 2.8 may be considered for "Provisional Acceptance" into the Master's Program if Applicant has years of related work experience; and the "Provisionally Accepted" student must score 80 (or average of 80 if there are two silver exams) or higher in each of the first two major courses in order to receive "Acceptance" into the Masters Program.

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. We will only accept official transcript(s) directly from the granting organization.

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 Technology Institute's Master's Program

Applicants reapplying for re-admission to SANS Technology Institute's Masters Program must submit the following:

  • The application form described above. The applicant can download it. Applicant should write at the top of it: "Application for Re-Admission;" and Applicant must write one of the following at the top of it: "I have NOT consulted or corresponded with any SANS faculty/instructor or staff member regarding re-admission" OR "I have consulted or corresponded with [insert name], who is a SANS faculty/instructor or staff member regarding re-admission."
  • 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.

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 Technology Institute has obtained all required materials and all credentials become property of SANS Technology Institute. Neither originals nor copies may be returned.

STEP 2 - Confirmation of Application Package

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

STEP 3 - Admission Review & Applicant Interview

Application Packages will be reviewed by SANS Technology Institute's Admissions. All information and materials furnished will be verified to preserve the integrity of the Institute and each Applicant may 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 the Institute's receipt of the complete Application Package.

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