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.

Career Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

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, Spring
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.

Months to Earn Degree and Credential

Average Class Size

200+

Student Teaching Sites

100%

MAT Graduate Employment Rate*

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.

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Attend an Info Session

Experience an in-depth overview and meet program leaders.

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Start Your Application

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

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Deadlines

OCT

Spring Term 2024: Priority Application Submit - Submit the application form. You may be eligible to receive a $3,000 scholarship.

FEB

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

More Information

Information Sessions

Oct

MA in Teaching Info Session (Virtual Meeting)

Nov

MA in Teaching Info Session (Virtual Meeting)

Dec

MA in Teaching Info Session (Virtual Meeting)

More Sessions

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.

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 the #46-ranked university 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

Best College Value in the West/SW

Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities

Forbes

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

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.

Passion and Purpose Driven

Reputable University

#29

Best-Value Schools

U.S. News & Report

Best College Value in the West/SW

Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities

Forbes

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

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.

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.

West LA Campus

Calabasas Campus

Irvine Campus

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.

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.

Career Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

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. What I loved most was the faculty because they went above and beyond for me.”

—Ilana Lemos, MA in Teaching '21

Alia Martinez headshot

“Pepperdine had the most opportunity for me. It had the location I love, it was affordable, and it was only one year, so I could get a job faster. And I was student-teaching in the district I ultimately ended up working in.”

—Alia Martinez, MA in Teaching '21