In 1949, the Lebanese Ministry of Education granted the University a permit to offer studies in higher education. The University's academic programs and awarded degrees are fully recognized and accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Learning.

The Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (AAA) has also granted tertiary status to Middle East University.

The University has an association agreement with La Sierra University, Riverside , California . This means that La Sierra University has examined and approved the curricula of the University and is satisfied that the policies announced in the University's Academic Catalogue are academically sound.

The University has two further international partnerships. The agreement with Griggs University , Silver Spring , Maryland , makes it possible to study toward a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Business Management. The cooperation agreement with Intercollege, Larnaca , Cyprus , makes it possible to study toward a Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree from Maastricht School of Management, The Netherlands.