SANS Technology Institute FAQ

Admissions Questions

Cost Questions

Accreditation Questions

Why choose SANS Technology Institute ?

Scholarship & Financial Aid Questions

Community Requirement Questions

Classes and Variety of Delivery Vehicle Questions

Travel Questions

Enrollment Questions

Length of Time Issue Questions

Differences between the degree programs

Location

Exam Questions

Admissions Questions

 How many years of work experience do I need for either of the Masters Programs?

You must have a minimum of 12 months of work experience upon acceptance in the program and 3 years upon completion.

 Will STI accept credentials other than TOEFL as a measure of probable success in the program?

Yes, we will accept proof in the form of a Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) at level 5 in the Cambridge five level systems. Keep in mind you are applying for a program that is writing and speaking intensive.

 Can I start following the program curriculum and apply for The SANS Technology Insititute at a later date?

Yes, you can transfer in a course as long as it is in the curriculum, you have a score of at least 80 (averaged from your two exams) and you complete the gold level of that certification. Silver certifications can be upgraded to gold and transferred.

 Do I need to have a Gold GIAC Certification before being accepted in The SANS Technology Institute Masters Program ?

Yes, effective March 2006, the Admissions policy was changed, and one of the prerequisites for admission is the completion of a Gold Certification from at least one course in the program curriculum you are planning to pursue. If you have completed a different GIAC Gold certification, you may contact us and discuss substituting that course with a counselor.

 If I have years of related work experience, hold a Gold GIAC Certification, yet my GPA is below 2.8, will I still be accepted?

Yes, you will be provisionally accepted, and will need to score 80 % or above in your first two classes. If you hold two Gold GIAC certifications, a minimum GPA of 2.5 only is required.

 Can I be admitted before finishing my bachelors degree?

No, there will be no admittance without a bachelors degree.

 Do I need to be an American citizen in order to apply to this Masters Program ?

We are an international program, so you do not need to be an American citizen nor do you need security clearance. We welcome students from all over the world. Although based in Maryland, the SANS Technology Institute’s programs will serve students in all states and many countries around the world.

Cost Questions

 What is the cost of the Masters Program ?

The application fee is $ 250. The entire cost of the program includes the price of the SANS courses, which may vary depending on the delivery vehicle you choose (i.e. Conference, On Demand, Mentor etc). In general, the total cost of the master’s degree program will be $ 28K to $ 30K, which includes the cost of Silver and Gold Certifications. Prices may also be adjusted for Work Study, (also known as SANS Earn & Learn Volunteer Program). Payment is not required up front, it is a pay as you go program.

Accreditation Questions

 How do the credit hours determine the amount of time spent in classroom and lab instruction ?

While we are not an accredited University and are unable to offer "official" credits, the credit hours are set up to help you determine the amount of time you will spend in classroom and lab. The fewer credits means a shorter course.

One-half credit hour is given for each 6 hours of classroom time. Our 6 -day courses that have 36 hours of class are given 3 credit hours. If the course has Bootcamp ( evening training), another credit hour is given. A 2-day course is 1 credit and a 1-day course is .5 credit hour.

 When will you be accredited?

SANS Technology Institute is licensed through the State of Maryland, by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, to grant master degrees. We also have applied to be a candidate for accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).This process takes time, and we are actively pursuing it.

 Which region will you be accredited in ?

We will seek accreditation in the Middle States Accreditation region. We are also seeking to accredit GIAC via ANSI.

 Will The SANS Technology Institute be a NSA Center of Academic Excellence ?

We will look into it as soon as we complete accreditation.

Why choose SANS Technology Institute ?

 What makes the graduate degree from The SANS Technology Institute distinct from other graduate programs ?

Both degrees provide a comprehensive array of courses that will allow students to gain technical mastery of the key technologies and processes that set apart the leading security practitioners. Equally important are the additional courses SANS graduate students will take, and the special programs in which they will participate that enable them to master communications, project management, teaching, mentoring and persuasive skills that successful managers use to make security a valued part of the mission of their organization. SANS Technology Institute degree candidates will have the opportunity to study with faculty who have written many of the books that other security programs use. Many on the faculty hold PhD and Masters degrees from institutions like MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard Business School and other leading schools.

 What opportunities will The SANS Masters degree provide for me ?

The mission of The SANS Technology Institute is to prepare the next generation of security managers. Two growing trends will shape cyber security in the future contributing to an already massive and growing need for thousands of new technical cyber security managers. The first force is the exponential rise of organized cyber crime that is accompanying the growth of e-commerce and e-government. The second force is the increasing impact of cyber methods of warfare. The latest study of the field found that by 2008, more than 800,000 new security professionals will join the 1.3 million already employed. The cyber crime problem is already costing companies billions of dollars every year and is growing rapidly.

Scholarship & Financial Aid Questions

 Are scholarships available ?

Work Study Programs ( also known as SANS Earn & Learn Volunteer Programs) can lessen the cost. In addition, full-time law enforcement officers in state and local government who are otherwise eligible for admission, may apply for financial aid of up to 50% discount.

 Is there anyone who will work with students to help them with financial aid options ?

One of the ways to lessen the cost of the program is to utilize the Work Study Program (also known as the SANS Earn & Learn Volunteer Program). If a Masters program student needs financial aid, we will make reasonable effort to give them priority in the SANS Learn & Earn Volunteer Program. Every admitted Masters program student is assigned a faculty advisor.

Community Requirement Questions

 What are the Community Requirements ?

The Community Requirements consist of three (3) Residential Institutes, three (3) evening talks at SANS events based on your research, and one (1) awareness talk in your community.

 Why the Residential Institute ?

The Residential Institute provides live face to face time with the students. The SANS Technology Institute education provides opportunities for you to build your own network of security professionals from the other students and the faculty. These are the people you can call on and who can call on you, when in need. This is such an important component of your education that we have engineered team activities into the programs to enrich your educational experience, to begin contributing to the security community, and to expand your network of peers.

Classes and Variety of Delivery Vehicle Questions

 How are the classes in the Masters degree program delivered, is attending a conference the only delivery vehicle ?

There are a variety of delivery mechanisms to take the courses which are listed on www.sans.org . These include not only Conferences, but also Mentor Program, On Demand, Self Study and Webcast ( also known as @Home).

 Where are the course schedules listed ?

The course schedule is listed on www.sans.org. It can be the conference delivery mechanism or any of the other style of delivery vehicles that are available.

 Are SANS Technology Institute classes different from conference courses or the courses available via other delivery vehicles ( i.e. OnDemand, Mentor Program, etc) ?

No, they are the same classes.

 Besides attending courses, what other things count towards your degree ?

Attending courses utilizing any of the delivery mechanisms certainly counts towards your degree, as does the certification and the Gold Paper.

 I do not see MGT 525 or MGT 421/422 in the course map?

The following courses are in development and will be offered soon :

MGT 525 MGT 421/422

Travel Questions

 Will travel be required ?

Yes, some travel will be required. Over the course of the Masters program, all degree candidates will attend three (3) Residential Institutes, which run 6 to 7 days. At the conference students will study and work with other students on a full-time basis, in addition to taking a conference class.

Enrollment Questions

 Is enrollment based on a semester system ?

No, enrollment is ongoing; acceptance is rolling. You can apply to The SANS Technology Institute anytime

Length of Time Issue Questions

 How long do I have to complete the degree ?

You have up to 5 years to complete the degree.

 If I earned my Gold Certifications more than 5 years ago, does the 5 year matriculaton rule start from then ?

No, you have 5 years to complete the degree from the time you are admitted into The SANS Technology Institute. For example, if you were admitted today, you would have 5 years from today. It does not matter if your certifications held were earned prior to 5 years ago.

Differences between the degree programs

 Of the two Masters Programs, which is considered the more difficult ?

The Masters in Information Security Engineering is considered the more difficult one. It is designed for the person destined to take on technical security leadership, guiding and managing the security and networking specialists. The Information Security Management degree is designed to prepare the next generation of highly skilled chief information security officers.

Location

 Where are you located ?

Training is done across the country and around the world in a variety of different delivery mechanisms. These include Conferences in specific cities, Mentor Programs in a variety of cities, as well as On Demand, and Self Study from the convenience of your home.

Exam Questions

 Are the Gold Papers scored on an 80 % score and above ?

No, the Gold Papers are graded on pass or fail only.

 Are the exams proctored ?

We are moving in a proctored exam direction.