The Application Process
Interested candidates should follow the application process below. After applying, candidates must earn an invitation to progress to each stage of the process.
- Complete a web application form.
- Your application will be reviewed, and an online assessment sent within three days.
- Complete the online assessment within five days. (unless otherwise specified)
- Submit supporting documents to complete your application.
- Complete an interview questionnaire.
Feb
Feb 1 at 12:01 am ET – Applications Open
March
March 1 at 11:59pm ET - Applications Close
April
Mid-April - Training Begins
Dec
December 15 – Program Completion
Eligibility Requirements
- Currently enrolled as a junior, senior, or graduate student at a Historically Black College & University, or an HBCU alumnus who wants to transition into cyber security
- Not currently employed in cybersecurity or has not been employed more than 1 year in the field
- Passionate about Information Security/Cybersecurity and wants to pursue a career in the field
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident (Green Card holder) with work authorization and currently residing in the U.S.
Curriculum
Our cybersecurity courses are written and taught by the top experts in the field and focus on hands-on practical skills you will use in your new career. The GIAC certifications you’ll earn are ranked among the most valued certifications by cybersecurity professionals when selecting job candidates for interviews.
Our core curriculum sets you up for a wide variety of cybersecurity careers, covering all the basics that any practitioner will need. These courses build upon one another to develop your skillset from the ground up.
These advanced cybersecurity training courses will help you with specialization in the industry. By completing one of these courses and passing the corresponding GIAC exam, employers will take note.
Course Offerings
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Select 1 elective after passing the core curriculum.
Time Commitment
The Academy is a fast-track, intensive program. All courses are taken online via SANS OnDemand and are self-paced. Students are required to complete each course and certification in twelve weeks. Students are expected to complete all coursework and certifications in eight to ten months, with around 10 hours of study per week. On average, it takes most SANS students 120 hours to prepare for one GIAC certification attempt.
What if I'm not selected?
- You are welcome to reapply for next year’s academy or another eligible academy. To increase your chances next round, we strongly advise building your cybersecurity knowledge and skill in the following ways:
- Take advantage of our resources at sans.org/free including free Community CTFs, CyberAces, and CyberStart
- Sign-up for free training programs and courses through Cybrary, Udemy, Coursera, DFIR Diva, TryHackMe, HackTheBox, NIST and CISA
- Consider our other academies and academic pathways such as sans.edu or other SANS Scholarship Academies
- Join communities to build skills and knowledge such as WiCys, Cyversity, Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu, Black Girls Hack, GirlSecurity, Minorities in Cybersecurity, Black Girls in Cyber, Cover6Solutions, National Cyber League, etc.