Saint Joseph University (French: Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth) is a private Catholic higher institute of education founded by the Jesuits in 1875 in Beirut, Lebanon, known for its school of medicine and its hospital, Hôtel-Dieu de France. The Lebanese state officially recognizes the university and the diplomas it grants in accord with the law organizing higher education in Lebanon. Medium of teaching is French. Its Beirut campuses include: The three regional centers are located in Sidon (south), Zahlé (Bekaa), and Tripoli (north). In addition, the university operates 12 facilities and 22 specialized schools or institutes including the Museum of Lebanese Prehistory in Saint Joseph Street. USJ has more than 70 conventions with foreign universities mainly Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C, USA. It also has more than 200 professors on mission abroad, an administrative office in Paris, a center for banking and business studies, three centers for dental care, orthophony, and psycho-motility. Saint-Joseph University is known for its faculty of medicine and its engineering programs.