Madras Christian College traces its origin to the General Assembly School founded by the Rev. John Anderson, a Missionary from the Church of Scotland on 3rd April 1837. Anderson was a pioneer in introducing English medium education in South India. He was ably assisted by Rev. Johnston, Rev. Braidwood and Margaret Locher Anderson. Rev. William Miller who arrived in 1862 upgraded the school to a college by adding F.A. and B.A. courses in 1865 and 1867. Autonomy also enabled the College to introduce diploma and certificate courses through the School of Continuing Education. The College introduced vocational degree programmes in the Departments of History, Zoology and Commerce in 1994. The College now has thirty-four departments under both the Aided and Self – Financed Streams offering Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research programmes (M.Phil.& Ph.D).