You’re one cybersecurity certificate away from a high-paying cyber job.
Launch your new career from the best college in cybersecurity. As you complete the program, you’ll earn 4 cybersecurity certifications that prove you're got the skillset employers need right now.
100% online option available.
Applications are accepted monthly.
Earn Top Ranked Cybersecurity Certifications
Cybersecurity professionals ranked GIAC certifications as the most valued certifications when selecting job candidates for interviews. (Source: cio.org)
Students in all of our undergraduate programs earn the GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies (GFACT) certification, which validates your knowledge of essential foundational cybersecurity concepts.
Students in our upper division undergraduate programs earn multiple GIAC certifications, including GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) and GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), which were named among the Top Ten Cybersecurity Certifications by Datamation.
“After I passed my GCIH certification exam, I got a job offer for twice my current salary. I’m happy where I am, but it’s great to see recruiters going after GIAC certified professionals.”
- Agnel D’Silva, IT Administrator, City of Danville, IL
Set Yourself Up for Success
Our Applied Cybersecurity Certificate graduates have an average starting salary of $104,000 — and more than half of our students received their first job offer before finishing the program.
How It Works
Start when you want to.
We don’t have fixed semesters, so you can apply any month and start a few months later.
Take one class at a time.
The program consists of 4 courses you’ll take one at a time, with personalized support from a student advisor from start to finish.
Complete the certificate at your pace.
Earn your undergraduate cybersecurity certificate in 10 to 18 months while working full-time or pursuing a degree.
Earn 4 professional GIAC certifications.
As part of our program, you will earn 4 of the most highly regarded certifications in cybersecurity.
Get career services for life.
Our Career Center will help you choose a career path, build your resume, prepare for interviews, and land a job or advance your current career.
Join an Online Info Session for Undergraduate Cybersecurity Programs
Learn more about SANS.edu undergraduate cybersecurity programs for students of all ages at a free online info session.
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate (CSF): Build the foundational skills and tools you’ll need for advanced studies in cybersecurity.
- Applied Cybersecurity Certificate (ACS): ACS graduates have an average starting salary of $104K.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity (BACS): BACS graduates have an average starting salary of $110K.
- Career Support: Learn about resources for job search success available to ACS and BACS students through our Career Center.
Bring your questions. Some info sessions are encore presentations of recent events, but Admissions representatives will always be available to answer your questions live.
Wednesday, May 7 at 1 pm (ET)
New to the field? No problem.
Our cybersecurity certificate program is for anyone (age 18 to 60+) with at least 48 college credits who wants to join the cyber workforce. It provides the quickest route we offer to a cybersecurity career. No prior technical experience is required.
Who Should Apply
- Career changers from any field into cybersecurity
- Bachelor’s students at other colleges, who want a career-launching certificate
- Community college students or graduates
- Holders of a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Graduates of theory-based cybersecurity programs, who want practical hands-on experience
- Students who earned 48+ college credits at any time, even if a degree wasn’t completed
Success Stories
Join the Winning Team
The SANS Technology Institute once again showcased its dominance in cybersecurity education with outstanding performances in the fall 2024 National Cyber League (NCL) competition.
- #1 Power Ranking (NSA Centers of Academic Excellence)
- #1 Power Ranking (Experienced Student Bracket)
- #1 Team (Standard Student Bracket)
- #2 Power Ranking (Standard Student Bracket)
- #3 Team (Experienced Student Bracket)
- 26% of the Top 100 individual players were SANS.edu Sentinels (Experienced Student Bracket)
Our Grads Get Hired
Job Titles Earned
SOC Analyst |
Cyber Threat Intel Associate |
Information Security Analyst |
Security Engineer |
Security Consultant |
Cyber Software Engineer |
Penetration Tester |
Detection & Response Analyst |
Incident Handler |
Cyber Risk Consultant |
Intrusion Analyst |
Cybersecurity Specialist |
InfoSec Specialist |
Security Administrator |
Forensics Examiner |
Vulnerability Management Engineer |
Incident Response Team |
Take Your Next Step
Need more information? We’re happy to answer your questions. Join us for an info session, email info@sans.edu or call 301.241.7665.
Ready to apply? We look forward to learning about you and your cybersecurity career goals.
What makes someone good at cybersecurity?
You don’t need a background with computers to succeed. In fact, some of our most successful students didn’t. As part of our admissions process, students interested in our Applied Cybersecurity Certificate and bachelor's degree programs take a 1-hour quiz that tests their natural ability to succeed in cybersecurity.
Applicants to our Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate program don't need to the assessment exam since that program starts at a more foundational level.
If you like solving puzzles and have a desire to learn about technology, cybersecurity could be a great fit for you.
Course Delivery Options
Funding Options
Get More Info
About the SANS Technology Institute
Founded in 2005, the SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) is the independent, regionally-accredited, VA-approved subsidiary of SANS, the world's largest and most trusted provider of cybersecurity training, certification, and research. Offering undergraduate and graduate programs at the cutting edge of cybersecurity, SANS.edu is strengthening the cyber workforce through a career-focused curriculum built on proven SANS courses and industry-recognized GIAC certifications.
The SANS Technology Institute is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
(1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801 - 267.284.5000), an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.