Stella Maris College, a Catholic institution of higher education for women, is affiliated to the  University of Madras and is partly residential. Founded by the Society of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, this minority institution provides University education in a Christian atmosphere for deserving students, especially those belonging to the Catholic community. Others are also admitted irrespective of caste and creed. Besides, the college commits itself to serve the economically weak, socially backard and needy students.

The aim of Stella Maris is to prepare young women to continually search for Truth, to grow into mature and responsible women, ready to face the challenges of life in the home and in society. 'Truth and Charity' is the motto of the college. All seeking after knowledge is the pursuit of truth. It is the truth and the spirit of selfless service that Stella Maris strives to impart to all her students.

Beginning in a small one - story building on August 15, 1947, with an enrolment of 32 students in the Intermediate Class, the college was granted permanent recognition in 1951. To the college belongs the credit of introducing the Bachelor's degree in Western Music and History of Fine Arts as well as the Master's Degree in Social Work of the Madras University. The college has also the distinction of being the first to introduce the M.A. Degree course in Indian Music, and the first women's college to offer M.A English, Economics and Fine Arts.

In 1960 the college moved to its present, more spacious campus, 'The Cloisters', on Cathedral Road, Chennai. The next few decades saw tremendous growth and development of the college with several firsts and distinctions. The college was also one of the few chosen to start the pilot project of National Service Scheme in 1968. A spacious library was erected on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the college in 1972 and occupies a pride of place on the campus.

From 1978 onwards there was a shift in the admission policy keeping in mind the thrust of the college towards social justice. The 1980's and 90's  saw the college offering several new job oriented courses and as well as additional sections for the B.Com and Mathematics classes.

Conscious of the growing need for academic freedom, the college launched into autonomy in 1987. Restructuring our present system of education, with ten years of experiential learning process behind us, the college introduced the Credit Based System in 1997. Today the college has over 150 faculty with nearly 3400 students in 13 undergraduate departments and 12 post graduate departments. The college also offers research in a few departments.

The dynamism of the institution is displayed in all its aspects particularly in the manner in which Stella Maris has evolved  in response to societal needs and aspirations.