Types of Schools
Master of Arts in Teaching
The online Master of Arts in Teaching from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology prepares students to become leaders in their classroom and in their communities. The 11-month program combines weekly online classes with hands-on, in-person student-teaching placements to equip students with the technical and soft skills they need to become an effective PreK-12 teacher. The MAT program empowers students to directly apply key topics in the classroom, including learning development, instructional technology, pedagogical theory, and more. Students will choose from two teaching credential specializations: Elementary Teaching (Multiple Subject) or Secondary Teaching (Single Subject).
- No GRE, GMAT, or other standardized tests required to apply.
- Choose from two teaching credential specializations: Elementary Teaching (Multiple Subject) or Secondary Teaching (Single Subject).
- Application fee waivers are available.
- Complete the program in 11 months, full time.
Just as teachers may teach a broad spectrum of subject matter from math, science, English, to foreign languages, technology and the arts, they also teach across a wide age range and in many different classroom settings around the country.
The specific type of school in which a teacher teaches can have a huge impact on many aspects of their teaching career. From public schools -- including magnet schools, charter schools, urban schools, rural schools and high needs schools -- to private schools including military schools and boarding schools, every classroom setting is different and each has it's own unique benefits and challenges. Deciding where you are best able to make a difference can be difficult.
Interested in developing your skills as a teacher? Explore online education short courses designed to give you an in depth understanding of various skills in teaching.
Maybe you want to teach somewhere with a low student-to-teacher ratio so that you can spend more time focusing on individualized attention with your students. Or maybe you want to teach in a classroom where students have traditionally had trouble -- somewhere you can have a real impact on the students. Or maybe you want to teach somewhere that focuses on a specific discipline or subject like science or the arts. Maybe you want to have more control over you curriculum. Like everything in K-12 education, it's hard to say exactly where these types of classrooms are located, but by looking at the different types of schools out there we are able to make a few reasonable assumptions.
Learn more about each type of school to help you decide where you can fit in best:
Information last updated: August 2026