Cybersecurity Degree and Certificate Programs | SANS Technology Institute

Cybersecurity Degree and Certificate Programs | SANS Technology Institute
Discover the Best Cybersecurity Degree and Certificate Programs
Whether you're just getting started in cybersecurity or you're a seasoned InfoSec professional, SANS.edu gives you the skills you need to advance and the GIAC certifications to prove it. Cybersecurity is all we teach — and nobody does it better.

SANS.edu is proud to be an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
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Cybersecurity Is All We Teach
Unlock opportunities at every stage of your cybersecurity career. No other college matches the depth and breadth of our hands-on, state-of-the-art cybersecurity courses — or offers industry-recognized GIAC certifications with every program.
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate
Gain the skills and confidence to pursue our more technical upper division undergraduate programs.
Applied Cybersecurity Certificate
Prepare to launch a high-paying cybersecurity career at any age with just four hands-on courses.
Applied Cybersecurity Certificate
Bachelor's Degree
Transfer your college credits to SANS.edu and become one of the most job-ready candidates in cybersecurity.
Graduate Certificates
Advance your InfoSec career through technically focused sets of courses that sharpen job-specific skills.
Graduate Certificates
Master's Degree
Take your InfoSec career to the highest levels — developing both hands-on technical skills and the ability to lead.
Cybersecurity Education, Rebuilt for the Real World
Not education as usual. Education that works.
Traditional colleges teach
about
cybersecurity. At the SANS Technology Institute, you
do
cybersecurity, guided by experts who live it every day. Our practitioner-led programs skip outdated theory and focus on the hands-on skills, real-world experience, and certifications that matter in the field right now.
Discover the SANS.edu Advantage
Explore Alumni Outcomes
SANS.edu Named One of the Top 10 Innovators in Cybersecurity Education
The SANS Technology Institute has been recognized as a global leader in cybersecurity education by
Help Net Security
, joining the ranks of top institutions like Stanford, MIT, Carnegie Mellon and Oxford.
Read the Help Net Security Article
SANS.edu Is Designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the NSA
“The CAE-CD designation is a testament to the quality of our cybersecurity faculty and programs. Our graduates are helping to meet the urgent cybersecurity needs of the U.S. government, industry, academia, and research, and we are proud to be part of a select group of cyber programs to have received this important designation.”
- Ed Skoudis, SANS Technology Institute President
Read the Press Release
Learn About the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity
Explore the Data Behind Our Graduates’ Success
The Alumni Outcomes Report highlights how SANS Technology Institute graduates are launching and advancing cybersecurity careers with high satisfaction, strong ROI, and real-world impact.
Read the Report
SANS.edu Sentinels Excel at Fall 2025 NCL Competition
Facing off against more than 7,800 students and over 1,200 teams across the country, the SANS.edu Sentinels delivered another standout performance, confirming their reputation as leaders in collegiate cybersecurity.
#1 Power Ranking
in the Experienced Student bracket
#1, #2, and #4 Individual Players
in the Experienced Student bracket
#3 Team
in the Experienced Student bracket
5 teams
in the Top 100 of the Standard Student bracket
10 teams
in the Top 100 of the Experienced Student bracket
30% of the Top 100 Individual Players
were SANS.edu Sentinels in the Experienced Student bracket
Read the Press Release
SANS.edu Sentinels Earn 2nd Place in the NSA Codebreaker Challenge
Congratulations to the SANS.edu Sentinels for earning second place in the Division I category of the National Security Agency’s 2025 Codebreaker Challenge — and to the 8 SANS.edu students who successfully completed the challenge.
The NSA Codebreaker Challenge is a highly competitive, annual cybersecurity competition that tasks students with solving realistic, hands-on problems modeled on real-world national security and cyber defense scenarios. Strong performance in this challenge reflects technical skill, persistence, and the ability to apply classroom learning to complex, real-world environments.
NEW: Research Review Journal Volume 5
Explore the latest research from SANS.edu graduate students — professionals on the front lines of cybersecurity — tackling today’s toughest threats across AI, cloud security, digital forensics, zero trust, malware detection, and more.
Download the Journal
Join us for a free online info session to learn more.
See All Info Sessions
The SANS.edu Advantage
Because cyber threats are constantly changing, our courses are continually updated for real-world relevance. But that's just the beginning.
GIAC Certifications
Earn professional certifications employers recognize and respect in each of our programs.
World-class Faculty
Learn the latest skills and techniques from the world's top cybersecurity practitioners.
100% Online Option
You have the option of completing our programs through live or rewindable online courses.
Flexible Schedule
Our programs are designed to fit into your busy life and work schedule.
Powerful Network
Make connections with some of the most talented students and teachers in the industry.
Learn from the Best
SANS Technology Institute faculty members are rock stars of the cybersecurity field, with a broad base of expertise in government and industry. Their up-to-date examples and deep knowledge ensure that what you learn in class will be useful immediately on the job.
100%
Every member of the SANS.edu faculty is a highly skilled professional currently working in cybersecurity.
150+
More than 150 open source cybersecurity tools have been created by SANS Faculty.
40+
SANS faculty members have authored more than 40 books on information security.
3.5K+
SANS faculty members have produced more than 3,500 research papers and webcasts on information security topics.
SANS Courses and GIAC Certifications
Cybersecurity employers send more than 40,000 of their employees to pursue SANS courses and GIAC certifications each year, confirming the value they see in up-to-date, real-world SANS courses and in the skills validation of GIAC certifications. These are the same courses and certifications you’ll complete at SANS.edu — with support from a student advisor, for college credit, at SANS.edu academic pricing.
Hands-on Courses with Proven Results
SANS courses are continually updated for real-world relevance and feature more than 1,700 hands-on labs, so you’ll be prepared to apply the skills you learn in class on the job from day one.
Certifications Ranked #1
Cybersecurity professionals ranked GIAC certifications as the most valued certifications when selecting job candidates for interviews. (Source: cio.org)

Students earn GIAC certifications, along with their degree or certificate, as part of every SANS.edu program.
Course Delivery Options
Your mind has no borders. Why should your college? Our online and in-person course options are designed to fit your life and how you like to learn. (Note that the Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate is a 100% online program.)
OnDemand
Our most flexible option gives you 24/7 access to online courses recorded by top cybersecurity practitioners. You can rewind and repeat content, including hands-on labs, quizzes, and exercises.
Live Online
Study from home — and save on travel and lodging expenses — through live, interactive scheduled online courses with SANS instructors and hands-on labs in a virtual environment.
In-Person
Immersive weeklong courses with hands-on labs are held across the country and around the world throughout the year. Meet fellow students and instructors and have the chance to attend special events, NetWars, vendor presentations, and more.
Success Stories
The SANS Technology Institute prepares some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity for lasting careers that make a meaningful difference. See why these students chose SANS.edu for their cybersecurity education and what they're up to now.
Loveona Jones
Loveona Jones completed the Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity during her senior year at a different college. Learn how she got her start in cybersecurity and won prestigious internships with the U.S. Department of State and a Fortune 500 company.
Cody Williams
Cody Williams completed the Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity in just under a year and landed his first cybersecurity job before completing the program. See why Cody thinks there’s a place for everybody in cybersecurity, particularly for those who fear having a boring desk job.
Cathy Sowa
Cathy Sowa made a mid-career change to cybersecurity. Discover how this former middle school teacher and adjunct professor gained the skills and confidence to enter the cybersecurity field.
Will Green
Will Green's talent for cybersecurity capture the flag (CTF) competitions earned him a place on the US Cyber Team. Discover his tips for aspiring CTF competitors and cybersecurity professionals.
Kaela Manger
Kaela Manger chose the bachelor’s degree program at SANS.edu to gain skills that would enhance her value as an information security professional and to secure highly valued GIAC certifications.
Jesse LaGrew
Between completing his bachelor’s degree at SANS.edu and starting the SANS master's degree program, Jesse LaGrew was named Chief Information Security Officer of his organization and helped the SANS.edu Sentinels win the National Cyber League competition.
Shawna Turner
Shawna Turner earned a master's from SANS.edu while working full time at Nike, so online course options and the ability to adjust her schedule to her life needs were critical to her success. Discover how this former theater tech transformed herself into a cybersecurity subject matter expert.
Karim Lalji
Karim Lalji, Senior Manager and North America Penetration Testing Lead for Accenture, considered other cybersecurity master's programs, but found them too theoretical. He chose SANS.edu because it was the “gold standard,” but was still blown away by the depth of knowledge provided. Learn more about Karim’s story.
Richard “Rick” Halsell Jr.
Richard “Rick” Halsell Jr. defended the Army against network breaches and today is Principal Security Program Manager at Microsoft. Learn about his career journey and see why this master's degree holder chose to pursue two graduate certificates at SANS.edu.
SANS.edu Programs are DoD 8140 Approved
If you're a Department of Defense (DoD) employee or contractor who wants to earn a career-focused cybersecurity degree or certificate, our DoD 8140 approved college programs can open new doors of opportunity.
US Department of Defense 8140 Cyber Workforce Qualification Program
DoD 8140 establishes baseline standards for qualifications that directly support operational needs and workforce readiness. All DoD personnel assigned to positions requiring the performance of cyberspace work are affected by DoD 8140.
Service members
DoD civilian employees (including non-appropriated fund employees)
Contractors
Foreign nationals
Learn more about DoD 8140
"SANS courses are fully aligned to what is happening in the industry. Course materials are continuously updated based on new developments in cybersecurity. It is rigorous, challenging, and relevant." - Karim Lalji, Senior Manager and North America Penetration Testing Lead, Accenture
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.
Request Info
Apply Now
Our Grads Get Hired
Our alumni work for organizations large and small, including Fortune 500 companies, military and government organizations, and leading cybersecurity firms. Here are just a few.
Accenture
Discover Financial Services
Northrop Grumman
Adobe
Dragos
OpenSecurity
Akamai
Epic
Oracle
Alert Logic
Expel
Prudential
Amazon
EY
PwC
Aon Cyber Solutions
Raytheon
Apple Inc
Fortra
Red Canary
Artic Wolf Networks
Highmark Health
Rendition Infosec
Bank of America
IBM
RSA
Blizzard Entertainment
JHU/APL
SAIC
Boeing
Jigsaw Google
Salesforce
Booz Allen Hamilton
JPMorgan Chase
Sandia National Laboratories
CACI
KBR
SixGen
Capital One
KPMG
Symantec
Cisco
Mantech
Synack
Coalfire
Mastercard
Tanium
Coretelligent
Microsoft
Verizon
CrowdStrike
MITRE
Walmart
Deloitte
NIST
Wells Fargo Bank
Student Reviews
The decision to choose a master's degree from SANS.edu was the best one I have ever made. This transformed me into a true cybersecurity professional.
Viswanath Srinivasan Chirravuri
Software Security Director - Thales DIS USA
SANS.edu made the difference between my being an unemployed college graduate and a well-compensated cyber professional.
Cody Williams
Cybersecurity Analyst III, Security Automation - Sutter Health
SANS gives you both the technical knowledge and the soft skills to persuade and convince an audience. It offers the highest quality technical security training on the planet.
Michael H. Matthee
Principal Application Security Engineer
Questions?
We're happy to help.
Email info@sans.edu or call 301.241.7665.
Request Info
Apply Now