The next application round for the SANS Diversity Cyber Academy will open in Summer 2025. Exact dates will be announced soon—thank you for your patience!
Curriculum
Via our SANS OnDemand modality, students will take:
How the application process works
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 application 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 a competitive process. You must be invited to each of the stages listed above.
All applicants will lose access to the online assessment upon application close at 10 am ET.
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.
Eligibility
- 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 reserve forces, US Coast Guard members, and military veterans are encouraged to apply to the VetSuccess Academy instead. Applicants must be within six months of separation.
- If you are currently earning above $80,000 annually, regardless of the industry, you are not eligible to apply.
Time Commitment for Students
The SANS Cyber Academy is a fast-track, intensive program, and students are expected the time required to complete the program will vary by student. Students are given three months to complete the training modules for each course and pass the corresponding GIAC Certification exam. Each student will complete three courses, and the the full program will take no longer than twelve months to complete.
On average, it takes most SANS students 150 hours to prepare for one GIAC certification attempt.
All courses are taken online via SANS OnDemand and are self-paced. Students are required to complete each course and certification in twelve weeks depending on the particular academy's schedule.
Employer Partners
Non-Profit Partners
