The Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) is a private Lebanese university with a public utility status founded in 1875 by the Society of Jesus. The University counts 13 Faculties (religious studies, medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine, nursing, engineering and architecture, law and political science, economics, USJ Business School, humanities, science, education, and languages and translation), 15 Institutes and 9 Schools operating under USJ Faculties. Education is provided on Beirut campuses as well as at the Regional campuses: North Lebanon Campus (located in Tripoli), South Lebanon Campus (located in Saida), and Zahle and Beqaa Campus (located in Zahle).

USJ manages a university medical center called Hôtel-Dieu de France (HDF) and its hospital network. Medical students, interns and residents benefit from the clinical teachings in hospitals affiliated with or accredited by the Faculty of Medicine. The University also manages the Dental Care Center, the Center for Diagnosis, Therapy and Research in Psychomotor Therapy, the Center for Diagnosis, Therapy and Research in Speech and Language Therapy, and the Center for Psychological Support.

USJ sustains several institutes and associations affiliated to it, including Berytech Technological Park, Health Technology Pole (PTS), and Recherche et Développement SARL.

USJ’s mission encompasses three main dimensions: research through new knowledge creation, teaching through knowledge transfer, and service through using knowledge in the service of society. To carry out this mission, the University defines itself as an academic institution of French language and culture, which favors pluriculturalism and trilingualism (Arabic, English and French). USJ is equally accessible to all social classes and all communities and is dedicated to the service of the country and the region. It promotes, through teaching and research, questions around sustainable development, the supremacy of human rights, of justice, of democracy, of civilizations’ dialogue, as well as questions on purpose. The University is also internationally oriented and is keen to benefit from the extraordinary potential of the network of Jesuit and catholic universities throughout the world. Its vision and mission are built around values such as the Jesuit educational tradition, autonomy, collaboration, participation, freedom of conscience, political independence and social commitment. Combined with academic, professional and ethical training of excellence, and complemented by an authentic culture rooted in questions of purpose, USJ is dedicated to the progress of humanity.

In March 2019, Saint Joseph University of Beirut received the unconditional accreditation by European educational accreditation institute ACQUIN. In addition, many of the University’s institutions have received institutional or program accreditations.

This accreditation is of significant importance for higher education institutions, and it brings recognition and a plethora of benefits for USJ itself as well as for its students, graduates, teachers and partners in general. It strengthens the national, regional and international ranking of the university. Obtaining this label positively impacts the employability of USJ graduates as well as student mobility and institutional partnerships with universities and international organizations.