Master of Arts in Teaching

Become a Leader in the Classroom

Our Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program prepares students to make a difference in the classroom with the skills and tools needed to become effective K-12 teachers with an MAT from a top-ranked university.

This cohort-based program provides an excellent professional foundation, combining explorations of theory with practical application. Engaging online and face-to-face instruction is paired with hands-on classroom experience and culminates with a capstone opportunity in place of a thesis.

MA in Teaching students will pursue a multiple or single subject preliminary teaching credential in conjunction 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:	$1,425 per unit

Comprehensive Curriculum

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

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.

Average class size of 14 students

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

100% Employment Rate*

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

200+ Student-Teaching Sites

With over 200 high-quality teaching site partners, MAT students experience hands-on clinical practice as a signature component of a comprehensive approach to preparing educators.

Months to Earn Degree and Credential

Average Class Size

200+

Student Teaching Sites

100%

MAT Graduate Employment Rate*

Campus Options: West LA, Calabasas, & Irvine

$10K+

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

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Fall Term

May

Extended Priority Application Form Submit: Submit the application form. Supplemental materials are not required. You may be eligible to receive a $3,000 scholarship.

Jun

International Student Deadline: Submitted application and supplemental materials required.

More Information

Information Sessions

Jul

MA in Teaching Info Session (Virtual Meeting)

More Sessions

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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 San Diego Freeway (405).

*Irvine Campus will be offered for Fall 2022. Campus locations are subject to enrollment.

West LA Campus

Calabasas Campus

Irvine Campus

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Year In Review Newsletter

Stay up to date with the most current information about the teaching field.

2020

2021

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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

scholarship form

Tuition and Scholarships

Pepperdine GSEP generously offers $5,500,000 in scholarships every year, with the majority of students receiving some form of financial assistance. Incoming GSEP students may be eligible for approximately $10,000 in Pepperdine scholarships.*

Total Tuition	$42,750
GSEP scholarships available	-$10,000
Total tuition after GSEP scholarships	$32,750

*GSEP scholarship amount is based on data from 2021-2022 academic year and only includes new incoming students who received aid from Pepperdine within the MAT program. Does not include other external forms of financial aid.

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, 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.