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Pepperdine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Female teacher calling upon students

Master of Arts in Teaching

Become a Leader in the Classroom

Prepare to make a difference with the skills and tools needed to become an effective PreK-12 teacher with your MAT from a top-ranked university.

Our 11-month Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) features a 100% graduate employment rate and over 200 teaching sites.

Students experience a hybrid format on the West LA, Calabasas, or Irvine Campuses. Graduates earn a multiple or single-subject preliminary teaching credential along with their degree.

 

Program Benefits

11 Months

Earn your degree and teaching credential in 11 months. For the fall term, start in September, and begin teaching by the following August.

Hybrid Format

Classes meet two nights each week in a hybrid format with 60% in-person and 40% online instruction and a cohort learning model.

Quick Facts

Terms: Fall
Location: West Los Angeles, Calabasas, Irvine
Length: 11 months / 30 units
Tuition: $1,510 per unit

 

 

Comprehensive Curriculum

Includes learning development, instructional technology, pedagogical theory, and single or multiple subject concentrations.

 

200+ Student-Teaching Sites

With more than 200 high-quality teaching site partners, students experience hands-on practice as part of a comprehensive approach to preparing educators.

 

100% Employment Rate*

*Of the 2021 and 2022 graduates who pursued a full-time position within PreK-12 environments, 100% successfully secured full-time employment.

 

Average Class Size of 14 Students

Low faculty:student ratio provides a supportive learning environment and meaningful interactions.

 

No GRE Required

We offer an equitable admission process that considers your ability and commitment to success rather than scores on standardized tests.

 

Meet the Schools Fair

MAT hosts an annual fair every spring that attracts employers from private, charter, and public school systems.


11

Months to Earn Degree and Credential

14

Average Class Size

200+

Student Teaching Sites

100%

MAT Graduate Employment Rate*

3

Campus Options: West Los Angeles, Calabasas, and Irvine

$7K+

Scholarships Available

 

Take the Next Step

Reach out to us to learn more about Pepperdine's MA in Teaching program.

Get in Touch

Fill out the Request Information form to learn more and get in contact with an enrollment officer.

Attend an Info Session

Experience an in-depth overview and meet program leaders.

Start Your Application

Submit the application form early to meet scholarship and enrollment deadlines. It takes fewer than 15 minutes.

 

Deadlines

MAR
26

Fall Term 2024: Early Application Submit - Submit the application form. You may be eligible to receive an additional $4,000 scholarship.

 

Alumni and Faculty Spotlight

"The MAT program impacted my personal growth by challenging me. It was a very difficult program at times, very rigorous, but I think it showed me that I can succeed with the right support and the right tools." - Alia Martinez (MA '21), Alumni

Hear directly from the program chair and various alumni. 

 

Why Pepperdine

Passion and Purpose Driven

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a Christian faith and values.

Our graduate programs empower students to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives. That legacy is alive today more than ever, as we help students all over the world gain the skills they need to achieve personal fulfillment, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact in the lives and communities they serve.

Reputable University

GSEP offers prestigious programs at one of the top universities in the US, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study, Pepperdine is where you're inspired to learn as you learn to inspire.

#29

Best-Value Schools

U.S. News & Report

#9

Best College Value in the West/SW

Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities

Forbes

 

Distinguished Faculty

  • GSEP faculty are nationally recognized scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, industry expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
  • Professors are accomplished professionals who balance theory and real-world application in a practitioner-based curriculum informed by their desire to prepare students to make a difference.
  • The average class size of 14 students and a 12:1 faculty-student ratio provides a supportive educational setting, meaningful interactions, and long-term professional and personal connections.

Alumni Network

  • Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals. Our alumni network has 32 chapters and affinity programs in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents make themselves available to offer the resources you need and help graduates build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
  • As a Pepperdine alumnus, you have exclusive access to the PeppConnect Mentoring Program, a global network of alumni who are willing to mentor and offer career or industry advice.

Student and Career Support

  • GSEP Student Services supports our rigorous curricula through academic advising, records, writing support, library, student groups, and much more.
  • Students are further supported through our Office of Student Accessibility, world-class facilities, and highly competitive programs, all of which contribute to our exceptional programs and rankings.
  • GSEP Career Services operates from an innovative model of career education and holistic career counseling for today's rapidly changing job market helping students and alumni construct their career narrative, build lifelong employability skills, and connect with alumni and industry leaders.
  • The Office of International Students Services (OISS) values our international students for what they bring to our campus—diversity, global perspective, cultural respect, determination, and a wonderful sense of adventure. We welcome students from all nationalities, faiths, and education systems, as they provide a diverse perspective in our classrooms.

Veteran and Military Support

Pepperdine has served veterans and their family members for over 75 years and is proud to support nearly 500 enrolled veterans, service members, and dependents. 

As an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, we proudly offer tuition support to Yellow Ribbon-eligible students. Pepperdine invests almost $3M annually to help cover 100% of tuition costs for eligible students.

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Pepperdine in the VA matches all remaining tuition costs. Pepperdine also does not limit the number of eligible students who can utilize the Yellow Ribbon program. 

  Passion and Purpose Driven

Passion and Purpose Driven

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a Christian faith and values.

Our graduate programs empower students to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives. That legacy is alive today more than ever, as we help students all over the world gain the skills they need to achieve personal fulfillment, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact in the lives and communities they serve.

  Reputable University

Reputable University

GSEP offers prestigious programs at one of the top universities in the US, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study, Pepperdine is where you're inspired to learn as you learn to inspire.

#29

Best-Value Schools

U.S. News & Report

#9

Best College Value in the West/SW

Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities

Forbes

 

  Distinguished Faculty

Distinguished Faculty

  • GSEP faculty are nationally recognized scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, industry expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
  • Professors are accomplished professionals who balance theory and real-world application in a practitioner-based curriculum informed by their desire to prepare students to make a difference.
  • The average class size of 14 students and a 12:1 faculty-student ratio provides a supportive educational setting, meaningful interactions, and long-term professional and personal connections.
  Alumni Network

Alumni Network

  • Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals. Our alumni network has 32 chapters and affinity programs in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents make themselves available to offer the resources you need and help graduates build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
  • As a Pepperdine alumnus, you have exclusive access to the PeppConnect Mentoring Program, a global network of alumni who are willing to mentor and offer career or industry advice.
  Student and Career Support

Student and Career Support

  • GSEP Student Services supports our rigorous curricula through academic advising, records, writing support, library, student groups, and much more.
  • Students are further supported through our Office of Student Accessibility, world-class facilities, and highly competitive programs, all of which contribute to our exceptional programs and rankings.
  • GSEP Career Services operates from an innovative model of career education and holistic career counseling for today's rapidly changing job market helping students and alumni construct their career narrative, build lifelong employability skills, and connect with alumni and industry leaders.
  • The Office of International Students Services (OISS) values our international students for what they bring to our campus—diversity, global perspective, cultural respect, determination, and a wonderful sense of adventure. We welcome students from all nationalities, faiths, and education systems, as they provide a diverse perspective in our classrooms.
  Veteran and Military Support

Veteran and Military Support

Pepperdine has served veterans and their family members for over 75 years and is proud to support nearly 500 enrolled veterans, service members, and dependents. 

As an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, we proudly offer tuition support to Yellow Ribbon-eligible students. Pepperdine invests almost $3M annually to help cover 100% of tuition costs for eligible students.

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Pepperdine in the VA matches all remaining tuition costs. Pepperdine also does not limit the number of eligible students who can utilize the Yellow Ribbon program. 

 

 

west la campus

Convenient Campus Locations

Pepperdine GSEP has convenient campus locations* to meet the needs of our students. Choose to complete the in-person portion of the MA in Teaching program on the West Los Angeles campus, conveniently located off the 405 freeway by LAX, the Calabasas campus off the 101 freeway, or the Irvine Campus, located off the 405.

*Campus locations are subject to enrollment.

scholarship form

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Pepperdine GSEP generously offers over $6,000,000 in scholarships every year, with the majority of students receiving financial assistance. There are numerous scholarship opportunities that are both merit and need-based in addition to discounts for meeting application deadlines.

GSEP welcomes federal and state aid eligibility and veteran benefits which may further reduce tuition cost.

The Financial Aid Office is available to answer questions and help you navigate funding your education at GSEP through numerous scholarship, grant, loan, and other opportunities.

To help determine your total cost of tuition and living expenses for this specific program, please refer to our GSEP tuition calculator

female teacher with students

Expand Your Career Possibilities

Graduates of our MA in Teaching program have many career options waiting for them. Employment demand is very high with a favorable projected job growth in many fields. Here are some of the career outcomes students can expect after attaining their MAT.

The National Center for Educational Statistics demonstrates that teachers entering the field with a combined master's and California teaching credential will have increased earnings compared to their fellow teachers with a bachelor's degree.

What Our Alumni Are Saying

 

Ilana Lemos headshot

“The 11-month program was appealing because I could start right after my bachelor’s and be in the classroom within the year, which is exactly what I did.”

—Ilana Lemos, MA in Teaching '21

Alia Martinez headshot

“Pepperdine had the most opportunity for me. It had the location I love, was affordable, and was only one year. Also, I was student-teaching in the district I ultimately ended up working in.”

—Alia Martinez, MA in Teaching '21

MJ Saltz headshot

"The education was top-notch, but finding a community of like-minded people and friends was really the most important part to me."

—Hazel Arroyo, MA in Teaching '11

Hazelle Arroyo headshot

"The education was top-notch, but finding a community of like-minded people and friends was really the most important part to me."

—Hazel Arroyo, MA in Teaching '11

Accreditations and Recognitions

WASC logo

California Commission on Teaching Credentialing seal

CCTE logo

AICCU Logo

AACTE Logo

CABE Logo

US National News Universities

US News Best Colleges for Veterans

Yellow Ribbon Logo

Contact Us

Kelley Hill headshot

Kelley Hill
Enrollment Officer
Pepperdine GSEP

310.568.5664
Email 
Schedule a Phone Appointment

Take The Next Step

Learn more about Pepperdine's MA in Teaching program.