The Application Process
Interested candidates should follow the application process below.
- Complete a web application form.
- Your application will be reviewed, and an online assessment sent within three days.
- Complete the online assessment before applications close.
- Submit supporting documents to complete your application.
- Complete an interview questionnaire.
- All candidates receive notification of acceptance or denial, the notification timeframe is dependent on the volume of applications.
- The application process is competitive. You must be invited to each of the stages listed above.
- All applicants will lose access to the online assessment when applications close.
For questions about the SANS Cyber Academy, applications, or process please contact academies@sans.org.
Women's Academy Timeline
Nov.
November 1 - Application Window Opens
Nov.
November 30 – Application Window Closes
Feb.
February 2024 – Training Begins
Oct.
October, 2024 – Program Completion
Eligibility Requirements:
- Senior in college; preferably pursuing a degree in a Computer/IT-related field or technical STEM discipline.
- College graduate OR career changers currently not working in the information security field or with prior work experience from the information security field.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident (Green card holder) currently residing in the U.S.
- Graduates currently pursuing or having achieved a Master's or Ph.D. in information security are not eligible to apply.
- If you are currently working in the information security field, or with prior work experience from the information security field, including risk & compliance, auditing, security governance, security awareness, information security program/ project management, and similar, you are not eligible to apply.
Note: Transitioning military service members, active members of the reserves forces, US Coast Guard members, and military veterans less than 10 years out of the military service cannot apply. Applicants in these categories are encouraged to apply to the Veterans Cyber Academy instead.
Curriculum

The first course you take will be SEC275 Foundations & GFACT Certification

The second course you will take is SEC401 Security Essentials & GSEC Certification

The third and final course you will take is SEC504 Incident Handling & GCIH Certification
Step by Step Information on the Application Process
Learn more about the application process and how the academy helps launch your new cybersecurity career in less than a year.
For questions about the SANS Cyber Academy, applications, or process please contact academies@sans.org.