Applied Cybersecurity Certificate (ACS)
Earn professional GIAC certifications as you complete the program.
Designed for working professionals with 100% online option available.
$90,000 USD median starting salary based on reported earnings from alumni.
Designated by the NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
This program supports DoD cybersecurity workforce readiness.
Get Certified. Get Hired.
You're 4 Courses Away from a High-paying Cybersecurity Job Launch your new career—or advance your current cyber career—at any age with an Applied Cybersecurity Certificate from the best college in cybersecurity. As you complete the program, you’ll earn 4 certifications that prove you've got the skills employers want right now.
Admissions Timeline
Apply by the 15th of any month.
Receive a decision 30 days later.
Start courses as soon as one month after admission.
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.
“SANS.edu made the difference between my being an unemployed college graduate and a well-compensated cyber professional.”
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 Our Applied Cybersecurity Certificate Program Works
Not just for undergrads, the ACS program is for students of all ages—from tech beginners to cyber pros looking to advance—who have at least 24 college credits.
Start When You Want To
You’re not limited to the standard semester schedule, so you can apply any month and start a few months later.
Take One Class at a Time
The program consists of 4 courses you’ll take one at a time, with personalized support from a student advisor from start to finish.
Choose the Course Start Dates That Work for You
Earn your cybersecurity certificate in 10 to 18 months while working full-time or even pursuing a degree elsewhere.
Earn 4 Professional GIAC Certifications
As part of our program, you will earn 4 of the most highly regarded certifications in cybersecurity.
Get Career Services for Life
Our Career Center will help you choose a career path, build your resume, prepare for interviews, and land a job or advance your current career.
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.
The Curriculum | 12 Credits
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 job. You will take courses one at a time, and for each course, you can choose either the Standard Term length of 13 weeks or the Accelerated Term at 8 weeks. This is the curriculum order for this program.
Click on each course title for a full description.
Core Courses | 9 Credits
Elective Courses | 3 Credits (Choose One)
Cyber Defense
Penetration Testing
Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Cloud Security
Industrial Control Systems Security
New to The Field? No Problem.
Our cybersecurity certificate program is for anyone (age 18 to 60+) with at least 24 college credits who wants to quickly join the cyber workforce.
Who Should Apply
- Career changers from any field into cybersecurity
- Bachelor’s students at other colleges who want a career-launching certificate
- Community college students or graduates
- Graduates of theory-based cybersecurity programs who want practical hands-on experience
- Cyber professionals who don't qualify for our graduate programs because they don't have a bachelor's degree
- Students who earned at least 24 college credits at any time, even if a degree wasn’t completed
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
Real-World Cybersecurity Experience
As an ACS student, you'll have the opportunity to compete in Capture the Flag (CTF) events with the national championship-winning SANS.edu Sentinels 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.
Academic Pathways
If you later enroll in our bachelor's degree program, you can bring in all 12 ACS credits. If you already have a bachelor's, you can pursue a SANS.edu graduate certificate or master's degree after working in cybersecurity for at least one year.
PRO TIP: Many ACS 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 3
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My SANS undergraduate certificate has opened up an exciting new career path. It has bolstered my resume with real-world experience and comprehensive certifications.”
Loveona JonesDatabase Engineer, SAICRead Loveona's Story - Slide 2 of 3
“
SANS.edu offers a level of support and resources that I have never seen. Support comes from the instructors, all active experts in the field; the behind-the-scenes staff; and members of the Career Center.”
Cathy SowaDirector of Information Security (CISO), Valdosta State UniversityRead Cathy's Story - Slide 3 of 3
“
There’s so much value at SANS.edu—from the education to the networking to the career support. It’s especially empowering for people like me—women, career changers, and those who’ve been out of school for a while.”
Riché WileyCybersecurity Specialist, IA Interior ArchitectsRead Riché's Story
Tuition
Total Program Cost: $18,600
Tuition includes the cost of the courses, textbooks, and 4 GIAC certification tests that serve as exams for courses.
Get the Credit You Deserve
If you’ve taken a SANS course and passed the corresponding GIAC certification, for example SANS SEC275 and the GFACT certification, you may be able to waive one course into this program.
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.