Saint-Germain of Sciences Po, one of France’s leading universities, which has recently launched an unusual educational program. This program provides current government officials and future leaders of the intelligence community critically needed skills and knowledge in global security. The institution offers a specialized diploma course titled “Diplôme sur le Renseignement et les Menaces Globales,” or Diploma of Intelligence and Global Threats. This four months long program consists of 120 hours of classroom instruction. It has drawn 28 students, including the first six of a new breed—spies.
The production of the course is a joint initiative between Sciences Po Saint-Germain and French national and local authorities. From math to science to social studies, you uncover a universe of diverse topics. These are the economics of organized crime, Islamic jihadism, business intelligence gathering and political violence. The curriculum is designed to provide insights into the complexities of modern threats to national security, preparing students for careers in intelligence and related fields.
Prof Xavier Crettiez, who directs the course, highlights the essential need for pragmatic practice in intelligence work. He said that’s the case for all varieties of intelligence gathering, which is very different in reality than how it’s depicted on the big and small screens.
“Looking at intelligence gathering from a James Bond viewpoint is not relevant; the job is analyzing risk and working out how to counteract it.” – Alexandre Hubert, a 21-year-old investment banker enrolled in the program.
The student body includes a mix of traditional university students in their early twenties and seasoned government agents on day release. One of them talent exchange operators Valentine Guillot of Bordeaux, also 21. She was motivated to take this path after binge-watching the French intelligence service series “Le Bureau.”
“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.
The course challenges its students to a high level of intellectual discipline. Only citizens of France can apply, but some French dual citizens may still be admitted. External students usually spend an average of €5,000 ($5,900, £4,400). Most consider this investment worth it, as it grants access to some of the most rewarding, high-demand careers.
Recent graduates of this program have found positions at top firms including Orange, Thales and LVMH. This tremendous success underscores the incredible demand in the public and private sectors for professionals with intelligence skills. Reel says that with actual intelligence agents standing in front of students—sometimes on a stage conceived on a boom lift—the whole learning experience becomes immersive and authentic.
Prof Crettiez understands the difficulty of merging these two different student populations. In agreement, he continued that much of the time he doesn’t really know who’s behind the curtain for a lot of the participants.
“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.
The course’s reputation is drawing rising interest from women—both young and old—in the new science of intelligence gathering. Sebastien-Yves Laurent, a lecturer who has played an active role in launching the new program, recognized this nascent trend.
“Women’s interest in intelligence gathering is new,” – Sebastien-Yves Laurent.
He explained further that women are motivated by the notion that their labor will help build a better world. It is this unshakeable belief that inspires and drives their passion. This change reflects a larger effort to change the narrative around the intelligence community and security sector roles.
Prof Crettiez warned against overplaying the fortunes of graduates when it comes to career paths. He noted that tons of students aspire to be field agents. Only the best of the best will ever land those positions.
“Few new recruits will end up in the field,” – Prof Crettiez.
Roger Roger has recently graduated, and he provides consultancy services across West Africa. He enrolled in the course to better refine his abilities when performing risk consultants for his clients. To improve intellectual capital, his motivation speaks to the wider attraction of the course outside conventional smart city functions.
Our international environment is one of increasing and new threats, from organized crime to terror networks. Domestic programs, like the one at Sciences Po Saint-Germain, are critical to producing the next generation of intelligence- and security-minded leaders. This combination of the academic classroom experience with real-world impact fully equips their graduates to more effectively tackle today’s most complex global challenges.