Saint Joseph University of Beirut: Programs, Faculty, and Legacy

Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), a private research university rooted in the Catholic tradition, stands as a prominent institution in Lebanon's capital city. Established in 1875, USJ has evolved into a multifaceted center of higher education, offering a wide array of programs and contributing significantly to the region's intellectual and cultural landscape. As the oldest French university in Lebanon, it promotes Lebanese culture and upholds a policy of equal admission opportunity without consideration of ethno-religious affiliations. USJ is the only university in the Middle East and the Arab world to follow the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), as well as having official recognition and compliance with the higher education regulations of Lebanon.

A Historical Overview

The origins of USJ trace back to 1839 when French Jesuit missionaries established a modest French Catholic school in Beirut. In 1855, the Jesuits founded a larger seminary-college in Ghazir, which later moved to Beirut in 1875 and merged with the original school. Public authorities soon granted the new institution the title of "university," empowering it to award academic degrees, particularly doctorates in philosophy and theology.

The university expanded with the establishment of the Institute of Medicine in 1883, which became the French Faculty of Medicine in 1888, and subsequently the French Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in 1889. Further developments included the opening of a maternity clinic in 1896, the founding of the Oriental College in 1902, and the establishment of the School for French Law in 1913 under the patronage of the University of Lyon. The Institute for Political Sciences, now known as "SciencesPo Beyrouth," was established in 1920, later evolving into the Faculty of Law and Political Science in 1946.

Academic Structure and Programs

USJ comprises 13 faculties and 24 institutes and schools, spread across five campuses in Beirut, with regional centers in other major Lebanese cities and a foreign center in Dubai. The university offers courses in Arabic, French, and English, reflecting its commitment to pluriculturalism and trilingualism.

Faculties and Institutes:

Faculty of Medicine (FM): Founded in 1883, this faculty plays a vital role in medical education and research.
Faculty of Humanities (FLSH): Reorganized in 1976, this faculty encompasses specialized departments for western literature, sociology and anthropology, history, geography, philosophy, and psychology.
Institute of Theatre, Audiovisual, and Cinema Studies (IESAV): Founded in 1988, IESAV focuses on training professionals in the fields of theatre, film, and audiovisual arts.
Higher School of Arts and Fashion Design (ESMOD): Established in Paris in 1841, ESMOD's Beirut campus offers programs in fashion design and related fields.
Faculty of Religious Sciences (FSR): With a history dating back to 1875, this faculty explores religious studies and related disciplines.
Faculty of Law and Political Science (FDSP): Founded in 1913 and reorganized in 1946, this faculty offers courses in various areas of law and political science.
Center for Legal Studies in the Arab World (CEDROMA): Established in 1997, CEDROMA focuses on legal research and studies related to the Arab world.
University for All (UPT): This initiative aims to provide educational opportunities for a diverse range of students.

Key Programs:

USJ offers a wide range of programs across various disciplines, including:

Law: The Faculty of Law offers courses in corporate law, family law, private international law, and other areas of international law.
Business and Management: The USJ Business School provides undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs, combining academic rigor with practical relevance.
Medicine and Health Sciences: The Faculty of Medicine and related institutes offer programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and other health-related fields.
Humanities and Social Sciences: The Faculty of Humanities offers programs in literature, history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and other disciplines.
Engineering: The School of Engineering offers programs in various engineering fields, including civil, electrical, and computer engineering.

The university's Social Sciences Campus prepares students for advanced master's degrees in top business and law schools in Europe, the United States, and other countries.

The table below displays academic fields with programs and courses that lead to Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees offered by Saint-Joseph University of Beirut.

Programs	Bachelor	Master	Doctoral
Art & Design	Yes	Yes	Yes
Biology	Yes	Yes	Yes
Business	Yes	Yes	Yes
Chemistry	Yes	Yes	Yes
Computer Science	Yes	Yes	Yes
Economics	Yes	Yes	Yes
Engineering	Yes	Yes	Yes
Environmental Science	Yes	Yes	Yes
Liberal Arts & Social Sciences	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mathematics	Yes	Yes	Yes
Medicine	Yes	Yes	Yes
Physics	Yes	Yes	Yes
Psychology	Yes	Yes	Yes

Prominent Faculty Members

Throughout its history, USJ has been home to numerous distinguished faculty members who have contributed significantly to their respective fields. Some notable past and present faculty members include:

Dennis Barone, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1986-2020, specializing in English and American Studies.
Stanley Battle, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 2013-2019, focusing on Social Work/Equitable Community Practice.
Nancy Billias, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 2004-2023, specializing in Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies.
Kathleen A. Butler, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 2001-2015, specializing in Education.
Vivian Carlson, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 2001-2017, focusing on Human Development & Family Studies.
Lydia M. Conca, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1994-2016, specializing in Education.
Ronald W. DeGray, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1981-2004, specializing in Mathematics.
Nancy Drew, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1990-2005, specializing in Nursing.
Kerry Driscoll, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1990-2018, specializing in English.
Judith C. Durham, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 2001-2014, specializing in Counseling.
Margaret Gaughan, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1994-2023, specializing in Nutrition.
Linda Geffner, M.L.S.: Member of USJ from 1971-2017, serving at the Pope Pius XII Library.
Esther Haloburdo, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1977-2002, specializing in Nursing.
Richard Halstead, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1995 - 2021, specializing in Counseling & Applied Behavioral Studies.
James Henkel, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 2009-2022, specializing in Pharmacy.
Joan Hofmann, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1991-2015, specializing in Education.
Catherine Hoyser, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1990-2023, specializing in English.
Barbara A. Kathe, ’64, M’67, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1979-1995, specializing in English.
Dorothy Keller, M’85, C’97, DAA’99, H’17, M.Ed.: Member of USJ from 1967-2021, specializing in Fine Arts.
Barbara E. Lacey, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1982-2006, specializing in History & Society.
Margery Lawrence, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1986 - 2021, specializing in Nutrition & Public Health.
Robert G. Madden, LCSW, J.D.: Member of USJ from 1986 - 2025, specializing in Social Work/Equitable Community Practice.
Elizabeth Markham, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1964-1999, specializing in Mathematics.
Peter Markow: Member of USJ from 1985-2014, specializing in Chemistry.
Harold McKone, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1968-2006, specializing in Chemistry.
Joseph Ofosu, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 2009 - 2020, specializing in the School of Pharmacy & Physician Assistant Studies.
Karen Palmunen, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1986-2012, specializing in English.
Judith Perkins, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1978-2011, specializing in Culture, Arts, & Languages.
Shyamala Raman, Ph.D.: Member of USJ from 1983-2016, specializing in History & Society.

Research and Publications

Saint-Joseph University of Beirut has a strong research profile, with 6,928 scientific papers published and 101,776 citations received. Research areas cover a wide range of fields, including medicine, biology, liberal arts & social sciences, chemistry, pathology, genetics, engineering, environmental science, physics, and computer science.

Research Output by Field:

Medicine: 4,702 publications / 68,702 citations
Biology: 4,289 publications / 77,227 citations
Liberal Arts & Social Sciences: 2,936 publications / 36,483 citations
Chemistry: 2,611 publications / 54,541 citations
Pathology: 2,484 publications / 40,824 citations
Genetics: 2,417 publications / 45,660 citations
Engineering: 2,269 publications / 38,484 citations
Environmental Science: 2,168 publications / 30,574 citations
Physics: 2,128 publications / 34,187 citations
Computer Science: 2,106 publications / 33,773 citations

Campus Life and Resources

USJ provides a comprehensive campus environment with a range of resources and activities for students, faculty, and staff.

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Libraries: The university boasts modern libraries, including the Pope Pius XII Library and the Bibliothèque Orientale de l'Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth.
Museums and Theaters: USJ houses the Museum of Lebanese Prehistory, the Mim Museum for minerals and fossils, and two theaters: Le Béryte and Théâtre Monnot.
Sports and Recreation: The USJ Sports Department organizes sports activities and competitions for students, professors, and staff. The Beirut Unisports Festival is a major event that attracts students from various countries.
Housing and Catering: The university provides modern and well-maintained student dorms, with accommodations for international students. Cafeterias are available on the Beirut and regional campuses.
Student Life: USJ offers a vibrant student life with various clubs, organizations, and social activities. The university also focuses on promoting mental health awareness.

Alumni Network

USJ has a distinguished alumni network that includes prominent figures in various fields, including politics, journalism, and the arts. Notable alumni include:

Bachir Gemayel: Lebanese militia commander and President-elect of Lebanon.
Amin Maalouf: Lebanese-born French author.
Nadine Labaki: Lebanese and Canadian actress, director, and activist.
Dorra Zarrouk: Tunisian actress living in Egypt.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Saint Joseph University of Beirut offers undergraduate programs with early, regular, and late admission options. The application process involves submitting an application within the specified deadlines and paying an application fee. The university also provides financial aid programs and on-campus housing.

USJ in Dubai

In 2008, Saint Joseph University opened a branch in Dubai, offering a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), a Master of Laws (LLM), and a Master of Arts (MA) in translation. The campus is located in the Dubai International Academic City.

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