SANS Technology Institute

What you'll study

The degree is organized into a junior year block (courses taken in sequence) and a senior year block (courses taken in any order). Junior (Block 1) core courses include:

• BACS 3275: Security Foundations (SEC275 + GFACT)
• BACS 3401: Security Essentials (SEC401 + GSEC)
• BACS 3504: Incident Handling and Hacker Exploits (SEC504 + GCIH)
• BACS 3402: Effective Cyber Writing and Speaking (SEC402 and SEC403)
• BACS 3373: Introductory Python
• BACS 3573: Automating Information Security with Python (SEC573 + GPYC)
• BACS 3001: Portfolio Practicum: Experiential Learning Through Cyber Challenges (Foundational)

Senior (Block 2) coursework includes:

• BACS 3500: Windows Forensic Analysis (FOR500 + GCFE)
• BACS 3503: Intrusion Detection In‑Depth (SEC503 + GCIA)
• Three upper‑division specialization electives (each paired with a GIAC certification)
• BACS 4499 / BACS 4001: Field Experience Practicum
• BACS 3002: Portfolio Practicum (Advanced)

Specialization elective categories and example courses include Cyber Defense, Penetration Testing, Security Leadership, Digital Forensics & Incident Response, Cloud Security, and Industrial Control Systems Security. The program includes a total of nine GIAC certification opportunities aligned with courses.

Entry requirements

Applicants must provide 70 transferrable college credits from an accredited institution or approved alternative credit sources (including Sophia Learning, StraighterLine, CLEP, AP, and Joint Services Transcript). The program accepts applications monthly; applicants may apply by the 15th of any month and typically receive an admission decision within 30 days. No prior technical experience is required.

Career prospects

SANS.edu reports that 90% of job‑seeking BACS graduates gained employment in cybersecurity within six months and the median starting salary reported by alumni is $120,000. More than 60% of job‑seeking bachelor's students were hired before finishing the program. The site also cites a large national demand for cybersecurity roles (over 514,000 unfilled openings per referenced source).

Scholarships & funding angle

The program highlights lower total program cost by transferring 70 credits and points to affordable transfer pathways through Sophia Learning, StraighterLine, CLEP, AP exams, and military JST credits. SANS.edu also offers academic pricing on SANS courses and GIAC certifications and provides career‑center support for job placement; specific scholarships or tuition figures should be confirmed with admissions.