Master of Arts in Teaching

Program Benefits

• Prestigious program at the #46-ranked university in the US committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values.*
• Pepperdine's Graduate School of Education and Psychology generously offers $5,500,000 in scholarships every year, with the majority of students receiving some form of financial assistance.
• Degree and teaching credentials awarded in 11 months. For Fall Term start class in September and be prepared to start teaching by the following August, saving time and advancing your career sooner.
• Hybrid format with 65% face-to-face and 35% online instruction is ideal for working professionals allowing you to take advantage of the best features of both face-to-face and online learning. The online portion provides flexibility, while the classroom component offers an enhanced experience, a personalized/hands-on approach, relational interaction with peers, and increased quality of learning.
• Classes meet two nights each week.
• No GRE Required. We offer an equitable admission process that considers your ability and commitment to succeed rather than scores on standardized tests.
• Robust online modules feature engaging learning experiences.
• Cohort model designed for strong peer support and lifelong professional relationships.
• Set apart with a well-rounded curriculum that includes learning development, instructional design, pedagogical theory, teaching for single or multiple subjects, and many opportunities for practical, hands-on experience.
• Relationships with over 200 school sites for student teaching.
• Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals.
• GSEP hosts an annual Meet the Schools networking event in March with over 40 potential employers.
• Career Services Center dedicated exclusively to the field of education to support students' professional advancement.
• Average class size of 14 students (as of 2019) and a low faculty: student ratio provides a supportive learning environment, meaningful student-faculty interactions, and long-term professional and personal relationships.
• Nationally-recognized faculty of scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, professional expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.

* U.S. News & Report, Best Colleges Rankings, National Universities

Campus Locations

• West Los Angeles
• Calabasas

* Please note that your campus of choice cannot be guaranteed. Campus offerings are contingent upon availability and subject to change.

Career Outcomes

Elementary School Teacher

Elementary school teachers are responsible for teaching young kindergarten through the sixth grade (K-6) students basic subjects in order to train them for future schooling.

Elementary school teachers work in both public and private schools. They usually work during school hours while students are present and will often dedicate time in the evening and weekends to grade papers and plan lessons. Many kindergarten and elementary school teachers do not work in the summer.

High School Teacher

High school teachers are responsible for teaching students in the ninth through twelfth grade in both public and private schools.

High school teachers typically specialize in one or two topics, such as math, English, science, art, history, Spanish, French, or music, and generally teach several classes in the course of a day. The primary goal of these teachers is to train and prepare students for college and/or the job market.

High school teachers must have the ability to express information effectively to teens. Calmness and patience are qualities that teachers need; their role can be seen as both an educator and mentor.

School Principal

In education, a school principal is like the center of a wheel, responsible for keeping everything running smoothly. A principal is responsible for ensuring the school operates effectively so that teachers, students and support staff can perform and complete their respective jobs.

A school principal must be a versatile leader. On any given day, a school principal can serve a variety of functions from curriculum consultant, public relations representative, budget analyst, mediator, manager, or disciplinarian.

All facets of a school are the responsibility of the principal. Typically, school principals report to the school superintendent or an assistant superintendent.

Employment Potential

• 1.9 MIL Job Openings: Nearly 1.9 million job openings for Preschool through Postsecondary School Teachers are projected between 2014 and 2024*
• 77K Average Annual Wage: The average annual wage for Elementary and Secondary School Teachers in California was over $77,000 in 2017*
• Employment Level: California had the highest employment level of Elementary School Teachers nationwide in 2017*

*U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017