Imagine finishing your degree with five years of work experience already under your belt. That is the claim behind a new program at Seton Hall University. It gives future national security experts a massive head start. They do real intelligence work before they even graduate. The program boasts an 80 percent placement rate. Graduates go straight to the CIA and NSA. This is not just theory. It is hands-on government work.
Mohamad Mirghahari founded the National Security Graduate Fellowship. He spent 14 years in the Department of Defense. He later advised the Transportation Security Administration. He says his goal is simple. Students must be ready on day one. They need to hit the ground running. The government needs them immediately. The threats facing the United States are complex. China poses a growing challenge. Foreign influence spreads online. Artificial intelligence changes the battlefield. The program tackles these issues in real time.
Most universities teach history. This program solves current problems. Government agencies are often stretched thin. They lack resources for deep research. Seton Hall students fill that gap. They answer real requirements for national security. They do the heavy lifting. Mirghahari told Fox News Digital the work is unique. Students support agencies with actual analysis. They do not just write papers for a grade. They produce work used by the government.
The curriculum focuses on modern tools. Artificial intelligence is a key component. It acts as a force multiplier for students. They use AI to mine large datasets. They track how data is distributed. They examine foreign influence campaigns. This technology saves time. It helps agencies see the full picture. Students learn to sift through noise. They extract what matters for national security. Mirghahari says this skill is critical. It is hard to find in traditional hiring pools.
Feedback from agencies has been strong. Some officials say the students are impressive. They are better than some veterans. These veterans have five to ten years of experience. The students catch up fast. They bring fresh technological perspectives. Older agencies may not consider these tools. The fellowship bridges that gap. It connects academia with the intelligence community. Guest lecturers come from across the government. They share field experience with students. This keeps the education grounded in reality.
The program addresses the changing landscape of threats. Terror groups now recruit online. Cyber threats evolve every day. The United States must adapt quickly. This fellowship prepares students for that reality. They learn to use graph theory and analytics. They understand how data impacts security. The training is intensive. It mimics the pressure of real jobs. Students do not have time to waste. They must deliver results. The 80 percent placement rate proves the model works. Employers want these graduates. They want people who can work immediately. The program fills a critical need in the workforce. It turns students into practitioners. They are ready for the job market. The skills they learn are in high demand. This approach changes how we train experts.