Sciences Po Saint-Germain, a highly-regarded French university, just put into motion a very cool short course. That new, specialized diploma—Diplôme sur le Renseignement et les Menaces Globales—is all about intelligence and global threats. Political scientist and sociologist Professor Xavier Crettiez is the head of this innovative program. More importantly, it prepares its students with the skills necessary to understand the increasing complexities of 21st century intelligence and global threats.
The course consists of 120 hours of classes over four months. It attracts the widest variety of students. You’ll meet not just fresh young adults in their early twenties, but seasoned spies from the French government. It’s this unique blend of backgrounds that fosters a collaborative, vibrant, and creative learning environment that immerses theories from the academic world into practice with industry leaders.
The price tag for the diploma program is €5,000 (roughly $5,900 or £4,400) for non-internal students. Despite these drawbacks, it is largely open to non-French citizens, with the exception of some dual nationals. Each year, the course attracts a wonderfully diverse mix of participants. Risk management practitioners line up, hoping to improve their risk management “IQ.”
“I rarely know the intelligence agents’ backgrounds when they are sent on the course, and I doubt the names I’m given are genuine anyway.” – Prof Crettiez
Our cohort this year has 28 students, with almost half of them being women. Constable Sebastien-Yves Laurent, one of the course’s trainers, says this surge of interest among women to get into intelligence gathering is a big change.
The curriculum is filled with fun, interactive modules covering a variety of cool topics. Learn the economics of organized crime, Islamic jihadism, business intelligence gathering and political violence. Together, these topics represent the changing nature of global security threats.
“Women’s interest in intelligence gathering is new,” – Sebastien-Yves Laurent
Plus, their access to top industry professionals enhances the overall learning experience. In fact, one of the modules is taught by the Chief Security Officer of the French energy giant EDF. Recent graduates have secured positions with prominent companies like the French mobile phone operator Orange, aerospace and defense firm Thales, and luxury goods conglomerate LVMH.
The diversity of students enriches classroom discussions. Young learners interact with experienced individuals from the intelligence community, typically aged between 35 and 50. As highlighted by students like Valentine Guillot, who expressed enthusiasm for joining the security services after her studies:
Another participant, Roger, emphasized the practical applications of the course for his consultancy work in West Africa:
“Coming here to discover this world which I didn’t know anything about except for the TV series has been a remarkable opportunity, and now I am very keen to join the security services.” – Valentine Guillot
Since the 2015 terrorist attacks on public spaces in Paris, the course has become even more timely and topical. These events triggered a huge recruitment push in French intelligence agencies. As Professor Crettiez notes, the needs for spies today are decidedly in favor of tackling financial crime.
“I provide consultancy across west Africa, and I joined the course to provide risk assessments to my clients there.” – Roger
Students quickly discover that today’s intelligence work takes more than the spy romance fictionalized on the silver screen. What we’re really trying to teach them about intelligence gathering is risk analysis and risk counteraction strategies, as opposed to Indiana Jones-type goofiness,” noted Alexandre Hubert.
“Fighting financial crime is a now key job for spies.” – Prof Crettiez
Students learn that modern intelligence work requires more than the romanticized portrayals seen in movies. According to Alexandre Hubert, understanding intelligence gathering involves risk analysis and counteraction strategies rather than adventure-seeking antics.
“Looking at intelligence gathering from a James Bond viewpoint is not relevant; the job is analysing risk and working out how to counteract it.” – Alexandre Hubert