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SANS Cyber Immersion Academies

To help reduce the cybersecurity labor shortage, the SANS Institute launched the Cyber Immersion Academy programs. Accelerated, intensive, technical training and mentorship in cybersecurity prepares students to pass multiple industry-recognized certification exams in six months.
SANS Academy ProgramsPartner ProgramsAcademy ScheduleHow it WorksEmployer FeedbackScholarship GuideNews

Get Training and Certification to Launch a New Career in Cybersecurity

100% scholarship-based, our four academy types cost nothing for participants. Look below for a schedule of the enrollment periods for each.
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HBCU+ Academy
The SANS HBCU+ Cyber Academy was founded to provide talented scholars from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) with free access to industry-leading cybersecurity training and certifications. Through this program, SANS hopes to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cybersecurity workforce of today and the future.
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Cloud Diversity Academy
The SANS Cloud Diversity Academy offers the skills to secure cloud infrastructure and sensitive data through SANS OnDemand training and hands-on labs with industry experts. Launch your career in cloud security by earning globally recognized GIAC certifications with the support of a dedicated community manager and post-career placement with access to an alumni network.
Cyber Academy Maryland
Cyber Workforce Academy Maryland
These Academies are made possible by grants, sponsors and organizations looking to hire cybersecurity talent or help advance the field by bringing in new talent.
Cyber Workforce Academy Maryland
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Women's Academy
This Academy is open to career-changers and college seniors with a background in IT, but not currently working in cybersecurity roles.
Women's Academy
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Cyber Diversity Academy
SANS and Cyversity are partnering to create the SANS Cyber Diversity Academy - CDA, combining efforts to increase career opportunities for minorities and women in the cybersecurity field.
Cyber Diversity Academy
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VetSuccess Academy
Open to transitioning veterans and those transitioned in the last ten years and not currently working in cybersecurity in a civilian role.
VetSuccess

SANS Academy - Partner Programs

SANS partners with institutions with aligned missions so that together we can amplify outcomes. Students get access to the same top-notch SANS training and GIAC certifications, plus added support from our partners.
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Cyber Reskilling Program Bahrain
Partnering with Tamkeen, the Cyber Reskilling Program aims to close the skills gap in Bahrain by training and certifying students with two GIAC certifications. The program is open to Bahraini nationals over the age of 18 who are seeking to move into the cybersecurity industry and aims to assist in positioning them into roles both in Bahrain and internationally.
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WiCyS Security Training Scholarship
Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) members can apply for this multi-staged scholarship opportunity made possible by Google, Bloomberg, and Facebook. Designed for students and career changers, this program will provide selected participants with a reliable pathway to cyber security employment within the next 1.5 years.
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Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitain University
This program is an intensive cybersecurity training and certification program designed to give promising individuals from diverse backgrounds the skills they need to launch careers in the cybersecurity sector. Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst created the program in partnership with the SANS Institute, the world’s leading cybersecurity training, and certification firm. The program is supported through the generous partnership of the Government of Canada, Rogers Communications, and Royal Bank of Canada.
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SANS-SD Leadership Academy
Women and other underrepresented genders can take advantage of three programs focused on increasing gender diversity in cyber security leadership. The three programs—transformational cyber leader, operational cyber executive, and cloud security leader—offer SANS training and GIAC certifications to US-based, 18+ years old cyber professionals with at least three years’ experience.
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Mission43 CyberSecurity Academy with SANS Institute
This is a multi-stage program designed to provide a reliable pathway for high-potential veterans and military spouses in Idaho to enter the cybersecurity workforce.
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Upskill in Cyber
Upskill in Cyber aims to meet the widening demand for skilled cyber security practitioners. Through intensive training, the program creates GIAC certified professionals, ready to be deployed into junior cyber security roles in just 10 weeks. Upskill in Cyber is designed for people new to cyber security. It prepares them for security roles by introducing them to basic cyber security principles. Our students are taught using material from SANS’ training courses, through real-life, practical simulations and team exercises.
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Cyversity
Cyversity SANS Diversity Academy
In partnership with Cyversity with additional funding from Google and Palo Alto Networks, this multi-staged program is available to a global audience serving underrepresented communities in the cybersecurity industry.
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Virginia Cyber Skills Academy
This regional academy was created to help reduce the impact of covid-19 on residents of Northern Virginia. Scholarships for the program are funded by incoming contributions from organizations and state-funded grants.

2023 Immersion Academy Schedule

AcademyApplications OpenApplications Close
HBCU+ AcademyFebruary 1, 2023April 14, 2023
Cloud Diversity AcademyMarch 1, 2023April 14, 2023

Cyber Workforce Academy Maryland

April 10, 2023May 31, 2023
Women's Immersion AcademyJune 1, 2023June 30, 2023

Cyber Diversity Academy

June 1, 2023

June 30, 2023

VetSuccess Academy

June 1, 2023June 30, 2023

Numbers at a Glance

90%
Graduates land new jobs in cybersecurity with a 90% success rate within 6 months of program completion.
2650+
SANS Mission based program scholarships have funded internally and externally across the globe to bring more talent into the cybersecurity industry.
$90k
The average salary of program graduates is $90,000
Application and Academy Roadmap

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 six months.

For questions about the SANS Cyber Immersion Academies, applications, or process please contact academies@sans.org.

View Roadmap

Alumni Feedback

SANS Cyber Immersion Academy was the best way to accelerate my cyber career and get my foot in the door. The resources provided and personnel exceed my expectation. They were very professional and easy to work with.
Irving Rangel
Cyber Analyst - COLSA
SANS Academy allowed me to gain knowledge in a new career area I couldn't have afforded myself. Also, its (SANS Cyber Academy) receptions with employers landed me my first job in cyber security.
Amy Riley
Mid Cyber Security Engineer - Iron Vine Security
The Cyber Workforce MD program gave me added clout of having sought-after certifications that are highly respected in the industry. Also, they fulfill DoD benchmarks for highly desirable positions.
James Schultz
Cyber Engineer - CACI
I can say with absolute confidence that I couldn’t have made the career switch if I hadn’t taken SANS courses. Taking the courses provided me the knowledge necessary to land a job in cybersecurity.
Hanan Saleh
Detection and Response Analyst - Rapid7
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    Dragos is excited about the expansion of the SANS Cyber Workforce Academy's Maryland program, and we welcome the state's continued investment and support. Because we operate in OT cybersecurity, an emerging cybersecurity sector, we rely on programs like the SANS Cyber Workforce Academy to help expand the pool of available professional talent - as we focus on building diverse teams that have the knowledge and skills to help defend our customers from cyber threats. We have hired SANS graduates at every level of our organization, and I am continually impressed with their understanding of our industry and command of the highly specialized skills we seek. The SANS focus on diversity and increasing the number of skilled professionals aligns completely with our mission to Safeguard Civilization.

    - Bill Seaman Talent Acquisition Manager at Dragos
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    Read About the Academy Program

    Learn more about our immersion academy scholarship partners, the graduates of our academies, and the jobs they've secured after graduation in this academy report.

    Download Scholarship Guide
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    View the latest news about SANS Cyber Academies

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