TESOL at Webster University
Welcome to the information pages for the Master of Art in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Webster University
This page includes helpful information for both prospective and current TESOL candidates.
Use the menu at the top of this page to find links to more information about our program.
Important Updates
Starting August 2023, Webster's TESOL program will be offered an in-person format again. This will allow us to recruit international students again to join our MA in TESOL program. U.S.-based students will also have the option to take their program in-person in St. Louis or online.
June 1, 2022: Webster University's MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program is now the MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). We are the same program with a renewed commitment to preparing teachers to meet the growing needs of English learners around the world.
See Our Brochure for International Students seeking to Come to St. Louis for their MA in TESOL
Note that many program aspects are the same for all program options.
2023 TESOL Brochure.pdfProgram Description
The Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA in TESOL) at Webster University is designed for individuals who seek to develop the English skills of non-native speakers living either overseas or in the United States. The program allows candidates to develop a solid theoretical background in critical aspects such as culture, language structure, first and second language acquisition theory, curriculum and materials development, teaching methodology, assessment and research, while preparing them to become effective language teachers.
Here are some quick highlights:
Webster's TESOL program started more than a decade ago and currently serves more than 500 students globally
Webster's TESOL program is the first and only TESOL program in the state of Missouri to receive national recognition from Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages International and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Webster's TESOL program has receive two federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education to support Missouri K–12 teachers in obtaining their Missouri ELL Certification: a $1.9 million project in Kansas City (2012–2017) and a $2.7 million project in St. Louis (2017–2023)
Webster's TESOL program was the first U.S.-based academic program to be offered in the Republic of Uzbekistan
In 2022, a new curriculum for the TESOL program was introduced (see the Equity Iniative below)
Beginning Fall 2022, Webster University's TESOL program is excited to welcome international students to the home campus in St. Louis with a new in-person program option.
What was once an emphasis in the MA in Communication Arts with a handful of students has grown into a full master's degree program with more than 500 current students, nearly 1000 program graduates working the world over, and program faculty with professional experiences in more than two dozen countries.
Equity Initiative
We found that textbooks were becoming more expensive and not readily available to all of our students (especially those who connect to their classes from around the world).
In 2022–23, Webster University's TESOL program underwent a comprehensive curriculum revision and used this as an opportunity to address this.
Starting with the 2022–23 academic year, seven core TESOL courses were revised in a way that replaced hard-copy textbooks with carefully selected readings from contemporary e-books, academic journals, and other academic sources.
This has resulted in courses having a combination of "classic" readings by canonical scholars in the field and more contemporary readings that take a critical perspective on the field of English language teaching.
Particular attention has been paid to including more readings by diverse scholars and voices so that TESOL candidates see themselves reflected in the curriculum.
Specific readings address race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, and non-native English speaking teachers (NNEST) so that TESOL candidates can reflect on their own identities as teachers and the identities of the diverse learners and colleagues they will encounter in their classrooms and in other professional settings.
We have a goal of revising all TESOL courses to be "bookless" by 2024 (note that electives taken outside of the TESOL may require the purchase of textbooks).
By making all course readings accessible in online course shells, it ensures that all TESOL candidates have equal and immediate access to all required and recommended readings.
Curriculum revisions also include dozens of hours of carefully selected supplemental videos so that TESOL candidates can see and hear many of the authors that they are reading.
We invite feedback and suggestions from our TESOL candidates to add to available resources and make this program even stronger.
Advantages to Webster University's MA in TESOL Program
Degree Options. We offer three emphases:
K-12 ELL Education emphasis (offered in St. Louis and online; this emphasis includes advising to complete coursework needed for Missouri ELL Certification)
ESL/EFL Education emphasis (offered in St. Louis and online; this emphasis includes the option to add a TEFL Certificate that is recognized internationally)
International Education emphasis (offered at our international campuses; this emphasis also includes a TEFL Certificate that is recognized internationally)
Locations
St. Louis Home Campus (in Webster Groves) will begin offering an in-person option (adding to our online option) Fall 2023 with a focus on recruiting international students seeking to complete their MA in TESOL program (see our page about the international admission process)
Three locations in Uzbekistan, including our new international campus in downtown Tashkent on Navoi Street, in partnership on the campus of the Uzbek State University of World Languages (in Tashkent), and in partnership on the campus of Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages (in Samarkand)
At our Webster Athens campus in Athens, Greece
The TESOL program is also available fully online so that you may live anywhere in the world where you are connected to the Internet
State Guidelines. Our program is aligned with the requirements from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the standards from Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL).
Nationally Recognized. Webster's MA in TESOL is the first and only TESOL program in Missouri to receive national recognition through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). As of February 2013 Webster University's MA in TESOL is the only nationally recognized program in the state of Missouri. This recognition was renewed in 2020 for another seven years.
Scheduling Options. Courses are offered in five eight- or nine-week terms throughout the year (Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, and Summer). View the Academic Calendars for specific dates for these terms.
Rolling Admissions in St. Louis and Online. U.S.-based students may begin their master's program or certificate at the beginning of any of the five terms and may also graduate at the end of any of our five terms (currently we only admit students once per year annually in August for our programs in Uzbekistan). Click HERE to apply! You can usually be accepted provisionally in a few days, after which we can begin the registration process.
Stronger Employment Options. Program coordinators and program graduates have reported that an MA in TESOL from Webster University has helped them on the job market and in their day-to-day instruction of English. Graduates have written back about full-time positions in various K-12 districts and jobs teaching adults or children in St. Louis, Chicago, Phoenix, South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Colombia, and Ecuador. See our Alumni page to learn more.
Study While You Work. Many of our TESOL students work full time or part time while pursuing their program. Our program has supported hundreds of working K–12 teachers, university instructors, and EFL instructors working throughout the world. These "in-service" TESOL students have the opportunity to apply what they learn immediately to their classroom. TESOL students who work in a classroom with English learners may be able to use their teaching experience to meet part of their requirements for the required practicum experience.
Program Learning Outcomes
Seven core courses required of all MA in TESOL students have been aligned to address a set of five standards developed by specialists in coordination with the organization Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. These standards are known as the TESOL Standards. The five learning outcomes below are assessed through a series of summative assessments at the end of each of these core courses.
Students will be able to describe the relevant features of language that learners need to acquire (TESOL Standard 1 - Knowledge About Language)
Students will be able to describe the academic and personal characteristics of language learners and educators in order to determine culturally relevant instructional choices (TESOL Standard 2 - Sociocultural Context of Learners and Teachers)
Students will be able to design and implement standards-based instruction using evidence-based strategies and approaches (TESOL Standard 3 - Planning and Implementing Instruction)
Students will be able to analyze and interpret various language assessment tools and data in order to strengthen language instruction and/or content instruction through the target language (TESOL Standard 4 - Assessment and Evaluation)
Students will be able to model and reflect upon professionalism and leadership in language instruction, collaboration, and advocacy (TESOL Standard 5 - Professionalism and Leadership)
Admission Requirements
All candidates need a GPA of 2.5 or above from their bachelor's degree.
Non-native speakers need to pass the TOEFL with a paper-based score of 575 or above (230 on the computer-based test or 89 on the internet-based test), an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, or a Pearson score of 53 or higher. International students should also see the graduate catalog for more details (see the section "Application for International Students" under Admissions).
See the TESOL in Uzbekistan page for admission requirements and processes for Uzbekistan.
In St. Louis, come visit us in Webster Hall at 470 E. Lockwood Avenue. Look for the circle drive with all of the flags from nations representing our diverse student population (and look for the flag of Uzbekistan). Visitor parking is available in the circle drive or in the parking garage on Garden Avenue.
Applying to the Program
Applications may be completed online through the Graduate Admissions page. For Student Type please select Graduate. For Campus Options please select the appropriate campus location.
Careful: There are numerous options on the menu for programs. Please select the correct program of study and note the difference between Teaching English as a Second Language/Emphasis in K-12 Education (which requires a Missouri Teaching license) and the Teaching English as a Second Language/Emphasis in ESL/EFL Education (which does not require prior teaching experience). Please also note the difference between the TEFL certificate, which is listed as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Certificate) (and which may limit your employment possibilities), and the full MA in TESOL - ESL/EFL Emphasis (which includes the TEFL certificate and will maximize your employment possibilities for teaching adults).
If you are applying for one of our international campus locations, the only option is the International Education emphasis (which will also include the TEFL certificate).
Essay requirement: The essay is no longer required (as of Summer 2020).
Most applicants will receive a provisional acceptance within 48 hours. After receiving this acceptance, you may contact your academic adviser (Dr. DJ Kaiser) to set up an advising appointment. Please have your student ID number (which you should receive with your acceptance) ready to facilitate the advising process.
For more information on TESOL Programs at Webster University please contact
DJ Kaiser, PhD
Professor & Director, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Project Director, National Professional Development Grant (2017-2023)
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119
Office in Loretto Hall, room 102
djkaiser@webster.edu (best method)
314-246-7153