Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity (BACS): A Guide for Montgomery College Students
Earn professional GIAC certifications as you complete the program.
Designed for working professionals with 100% online option available.
Median starting salary of $120,000 USD based on reported earnings from program graduates.
SANS.edu is an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
This program supports DoD cybersecurity workforce readiness.
Earn a Bachelor's Cybersecurity Degree That Prepares You to Win a High-Paying Cybersecurity Job
Transfer your college credits to SANS.edu and complete your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity for less. See why more than 60% of our job-seeking students are hired before they finished the program.
Admissions Timeline
Apply by the 15th of any month.
Receive a decision 30 days later.
Start courses as soon as one month after admission.
Bachelor's Degree: Career Outcomes at a Glance
We know the employment status of 99% of our upper division undergraduates. The results below are based on student survey responses and represent employment in cybersecurity roles.
“I didn't just want a bachelor's degree; I wanted to strengthen my skillset to become a better employee and advance in my career. I wanted to gain knowledge that I could use right away on the job. SANS.edu did all of that and more.”
The SANS.edu Advantage
Discover why 99% of our graduates would recommend SANS.edu to their peers.
SANS Courses + GIAC Certifications
Our programs are packed with hands-on labs and include GIAC certifications that employers trust.
World-Class Faculty
Learn the latest skills and techniques from the world's top cybersecurity practitioners.
Flexible for Working Professionals
Start when you want to and learn on a schedule that fits your life—with 100% online options.
Powerful Network
Make connections with some of the most talented students and teachers in the industry.
Dedicated Student Advising
Get personalized guidance from experienced success coaches who support you from enrollment to graduation.
SANS.edu Academic Pricing
Receive SANS.edu academic pricing on SANS courses and GIAC certifications.
How the Cybersecurity Degree Program Works
Step 1. Begin Your Studies at Montgomery College
You'll need to bring in 70 transferrable college credits from Montgomery College and/or any other accredited college (or colleges). You can start the SANS.edu program when you’ve earned 60 of 70 required transferable credits, but you’ll need to complete all 70 credits to earn your bachelor’s degree.
Step 2. Complete Your Studies at the SANS Technology Institute
Continue your studies (50 credits) and earn a Bachelor of Science in Applied Cybersecurity from SANS.edu while earning 9 GIAC certifications and building real-world experience through immersive labs, a virtual internship, and capture-the-flag challenges.
Step 3. Get Expert Support for Your Job Search from the SANS.edu Career Center
Get personalized guidance from a Career Center built for cybersecurity professionals, offering resume review, interview prep, salary negotiation tips, and access to a global employer network.
Need Credits? Here Are Options.
If you don’t have the required prior credits to start one of our undergraduate programs, don’t worry. You can earn them through several affordable options beyond community colleges or universities.
- Take low-cost Sophia Learning courses to earn general education credits 100% online. Through Sophia, you can complete some or all of your required transfer credits. Learn more.
- Earn CLEP credits by testing out of subjects you already know. Learn more.
- Submit AP exam scores for eligible credit. Learn more.
SANS.edu Course Sequence
Nobody matches the depth and breadth of our hands-on cybersecurity courses, continually updated to address the latest threats. Most SANS.edu courses pair a SANS training course with a corresponding GIAC certification.
Block 1 (Junior Year)
Courses in this block must be taken in the specified order.
Block 2 (Senior Year)
Courses in this block can be taken in any order.
Upper Division Specialization Elective Options (Choose 3)
Cyber Defense
Penetration Testing
Security Leadership
Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Cloud Security
Industrial Control Systems Security
Flexible Learning 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.
OnDemand
Our most flexible online option gives you 24/7 access to 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 are held across the country and around the world throughout the year. Meet fellow students and instructors and attend exclusive in-person events.
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 what you learn in class is immediately applicable on the job.
Build a Strong Foundation for Your Future
Gain Real-World Cybersecurity Experience
As a bachelor’s student, you’ll compete in Capture the Flag (CTF) events with the national championship-winning SANS.edu Sentinels, complete a virtual internship, and build a portfolio that proves your cybersecurity skills.
Career Services For Life
The SANS.edu Career Center offers professional advice and resources to help you each step of the way—whether you are entering cybersecurity, advancing your current role or fine-tuning your career strategy.
Pathway to a Master's Degree
If you enroll in the SANS.edu master's degree program after you complete the bachelor's program, you can bring 18 credits into the 36-credit master's program, so you'll start ahead and pay less.
PRO TIP: Many BACS grads working in cyber use employer tuition assistance to fund further studies at SANS.edu.
Join Us For a Free Online Info Session
SANS.edu offers a career-focused cybersecurity education with a lot more flexibility and personalized support than you'll find in a "traditional" college. Join a free online info session to learn how our world-class programs can help you meet your cybersecurity career goals.
Success Stories
- Slide 1 of 4
“
My SANS certifications have taken me to places I never knew I could reach. They have significantly boosted my career and opened doors to opportunities I didn't think were possible.”
Fritz VillanuevaThreat Hunter, ScotiabankRead Fritz's Story - Slide 2 of 4
“
I explored cyber bachelor’s degree programs at a few different universities. SANS’ GIAC certifications really set the program apart. This industry is competitive, and I wanted to ensure that I would have an edge over others when seeking a job.”
Kaela MangerConsultant, JRPC InfoSecRead Kaela's Story - Slide 3 of 4
“
When evaluating SANS.edu alongside other comparable degree programs, I found its quality to be unmatched. The availability of on-demand courses and rolling admissions offered the flexibility I required. Moreover, the curriculum and instructors at SANS are truly exceptional.”
Keegan HamlinCyber Warfare Operator, US Air ForceRead Keegan's Story - Slide 4 of 4
“
SANS.edu is one of the best investments I've ever made. When I look at my career trajectory since joining SANS, I can confidently say that the bachelor’s degree program has already paid for itself.”
Rachel DownsPrincipal Consultant, BridewellRead Rachel's Story
Tuition
Total Program Cost: $41,750 USD
Tuition includes the cost of the course, textbooks, and certification tests that serve as mid-term or final exams for courses.
Application fee: $75 USD
Seamless Credit Transfer to Bachelor’s Degree
Graduates of the SANS.edu Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate program may apply 2 courses toward their bachelor's degree and receive up to 3 credits toward their transfer credit requirements.
Graduates of the Applied Cybersecurity Certificate program can apply all 12 credits from that program toward their bachelor's degree.
Funding Options
A degree or certificate from SANS.edu is a great investment in your career. Explore funding options that can make your cybersecurity education more accessible.
Pay Per Course
Students pay tuition per course which allows you the financial flexibility to pay smaller amounts as you go.
Employer Assistance
Because we are regionally accredited, our tuition is eligible for most employer-sponsored education benefit programs.
VA Education Benefits
All SANS.edu programs are eligible for US and Canadian Veterans Education Benefits.
Tuition Payment Program (TPP)
Eligible students can spread out the cost of their degree or certificate program in monthly installments with no interest.
Step Up Payment Program
Eligible undergraduates in the ACS and BACS programs can manage tuition costs through an interest-free graduated payment plan.
Education Benefits for Federal Employees
All SANS.edu programs are eligible for the education benefits available to US Federal Government employees.
529 College Savings Plans
529 College Savings Plan funds may be used to pay tuition for any SANS.edu cybersecurity degree or certificate program.
SANS Voucher
If you’d like to use a SANS Universal Voucher Account, confirm with your voucher administrator that course tuition is an eligible expense.
Canadian Funding Options
All SANS.edu programs are eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and Canadian veterans’ education benefits.
External Cybersecurity Scholarships
Explore independent cybersecurity scholarships administered outside of SANS.edu.
Where Innovation Meets Real-World Performance
The SANS Technology Institute’s innovative, hands-on approach to cybersecurity education translates directly into success—in competitions and in the cyber workforce.
SANS.edu Sentinels Excel at Fall 2025 NCL Competition
Competing against more than 7,800 students and 1,200 teams across the US, the SANS.edu Sentinels delivered another standout performance, earning the #1 Power Ranking and fielding the #1, #2, and #4 individual players in the Experienced Student bracket.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need More Information?
We’re happy to help. Join us for a free info session or request more information today.