Private Maine university specializing in healthcare, business, and professional programs with accelerated term-based scheduling.
Beal University operates on a distinctive term system dividing the academic year into six 8-week terms, enabling students to graduate approximately one-third faster than traditional semester-based institutions. The university offers diplomas (9–14 months), associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees across diverse disciplines. Core program areas include Healthcare, Nursing, Cannabis Business Administration and Sciences, Health Information Management, Business Administration, Addiction Counseling, and Welding. All programs feature hybrid options allowing 4–6 months of online coursework, with several associate and bachelor's programs fully available online, including RN to BSN, Biomedical Science, and Business Administration. Two master's programs—Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration—are offered entirely online.
Established on October 23, 1891, as the Bangor Business School by Mary E. Beal and partners, the institution began with fewer than 25 students housed on the second floor of the YMCA. Rapid growth led to expansion within six months to over 100 students. The school evolved through several name changes—Miss Beal's School of Shorthand and Typing (1922), Beal College of Business, and Beal Business College—before acquiring its current name in 2021. By its 50th anniversary, it offered multiple two-year degree programs in business, administration, secretarial studies, and bookkeeping. The institution became an accredited junior college of business in 1970 and began offering associate degrees in science in 1968.
Beal University holds accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Specialized accreditations include recognition from the American Association of Medical Assistants and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs for medical assisting, enabling graduate certification. The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, qualifying graduates for Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification. The Associates in Nursing program is approved by the Maine Board of Nursing for professional nursing education.