Joseph Carreno SDB, a missionary from Spain founded Sacred Heart College in the year 1951.

It started functioning with 10 teachers and 81 students and in a short period of six decades, it has grown into a postgraduate and research institution.

Recognizing its academic contributions, the University of Madras conferred the autonomous status on the postgraduate courses of MSW (Social Work) and M.Sc.

The college received the approval from AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) to commence MCA programme on self-financing basis from the academic year 1998–99.

The golden jubilee of the college was celebrated in 2001 and a memorial building was opened to accommodate additional departments which were started.