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spring 2026
Photograph from Adobe Stock
In a first for New England, Suffolk has partnered with the SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) to give undergraduates a powerful edge: the chance to earn a highly regarded Applied Cybersecurity Certificate (ACS) alongside their bachelor’s degree at no additional cost.
Demand is soaring—the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 29% increase in information-security jobs over the next decade—and SANS reports ACS holders earn average starting salaries of $104,000. Eligible students who enter Suffolk beginning in fall 2026 may apply to take courses and earn four industry-valued Global Information Assurance Certifications (GIAC), the top benchmark for cybersecurity expertise, during their junior and senior years.
“We’re proud to partner with Suffolk University to create a direct, hands-on pathway into cybersecurity careers,” said Ed Skoudis, president of the SANS Technology Institute. “This collaboration gives students access to world-class instruction, industry-recognized GIAC certifications, and the practical experience needed to defend organizations from real-world threats.”
Created as part of Suffolk’s Pioneering Innovations in Learning Outcomes & Teaching (PILOT) initiative, the new Suffolk–SANS.edu Cybersecurity Certification Program will be available to students without any additional fees—representing approximately $18,600 in advanced-training value. Suffolk students will also have access to specialized SANS.edu career-counseling services.
“This new program in partnership with SANS and other initiatives emerging from PILOT reflects our ability to rapidly develop and launch innovative academic programs that respond to student and employer demands and contribute to career readiness,” said Suffolk University Provost Rick Oches.
Suffolk has also introduced a comprehensive, interdisciplinary cybersecurity major, which draws on courses from both the Business School and the College of Arts & Sciences. Cybersecurity majors will master the skills needed to manage complex data privacy and compliance issues. The Suffolk–SANS.edu certification track will be open to students majoring in either cybersecurity or computer science, with eligibility contingent on departmental approval and passing the SANS.edu assessment exam.
“At a moment when the country faces more than 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity roles, this program offers a transformative advantage for our students and an essential investment in the future of the cybersecurity workforce,” said Andrew Perlman, vice president for academic innovation at Suffolk University and dean of Suffolk University Law School. “This partnership gives Suffolk students access to the most rigorous, industry-validated cybersecurity training available—and does it without increasing their tuition cost.”
—Andrea Grant
