Throughout its history, the school has served as an institution of higher theological education. More than 20 ethnic groups and not less than 10 Christian denominations are represented each year in the student body. Until 1962, only the Th.B. program was offered. That year the Bachelor of Religious Education program was introduced and in 1976, the BD program was initiated. In 1996, no new BTh applicants were accepted for the Th.B. program as the Board of Trustees had decided that the seminary would offer only graduate programs. In 1997, MIT started the M.Div., and MTS degree programs and replaced the BD program. March 1999 saw the last batch of B.Th. graduates and the first batch of MTS graduates. March 2000 marked the graduation of the first batch of the Master of Divinity class. Year 2000 is a milestone for launching new programs such as Summer School, Summer Seminar and Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies (BARS).