Be certain to refer to the Graduate Catalog for all official Webster University policies. Please note that the Graduate Catalog includes all of the most recent and the official policies. This page is made available to help highlight those policies that most affect students in the TESOL program and to help specify how these policies relate to the specific TESOL programs. If you have any questions about these policies, please contact your academic adviser.

The following documents are provided for quick reference.  The first is the summative assessment, which describes the requirements for the final portfolio for TESL 5040.  The second is a guidebook, designed to describe the roles and responsibilities of those involved in a practicum placement for TESL 5040.  If you will be completing TESL 5040 through Practicum by Portfolio, please complete the application linked below and then you will be added to the appropriate Canvas shell.

Options to Complete the Practicum Experience 

To complete credit for TESL 5040, you may either receive a Practicum Placement or do Practicum by Portfolio (formerly called Credit by Exam)

• A practicum placement is designed for pre-service teachers (TESOL candidates who are not already teaching English learners in classrooms)

  • For the International Education Emphasis (in Uzbekistan and Athens) work directly with your home campus on Practicum

  • For TESOL candidates in the K–12 ELL Education Emphasis, please contact Sheila Anglin Jordan, Coordinator of Field Placements, for a separate application process that is compliant with K-12 district requirements (she may be reached at anglinsh@webster.edu)

  • For TESOL candidates in the ESL/EFL Education Emphasis, apply for a practicum placement here

• Practicum by Portfolio (formerly called "Credit by Exam") is available to in-service teachers in the K–12 ELL Education Emphasis and the ESL/EFL Education Emphasis

  • To qualify for Practicum by Portfolio, you must have at least one full year of instruction with English learners (e.g., in an ESL or EFL class)

  • For more information on requirements to qualify for Practicum by Portfolio, see below

  • For Practicum by Portfolio, apply here

Online Application Form for Practicum Placements and Practicum by Portfolio 

In an effort to reduce paperwork there is now one application for both Practicum by Portfolio and requesting a practicum placement.  If you are in the K-12 ELL Education program, please contact Sheila Anglin Jordan, Coordinator of Field Placements, for a separate application process that is compliant with K-12 district requirements (she may be reached at anglinsh@webster.edu)

Note that TESOL candidates in our Uzbekistan programs and in our Athens program should not use this application (see your local coordinator).

Click this link for the online application form

• Both the K-12 ELL Emphasis and ESL/EFL Education Emphasis require a Practicum in ESOL (TESL 5040).

  • K-12 emphasis teacher candidates need to register for Practicum through the Office of Field Placements (contact Sheila Anglin Jordan at anglinsh@webster.edu.) 

  • ESL/EFL emphasis teacher candidates need to fill out the Practicum Application and make an appointment to meet with their academic adviser

  • All online teacher candidates outside of St. Louis should also fill out the online Practicum Application

  • For Summer and Fall terms the deadline for Practicum Applications is mid February

  • For Spring term the deadline for Practicum Applications is mid September

• Practicum through Webster University is only available to candidates who have successfully completed at least three TESL courses through Webster University, and at least two of those courses must be from the following three: TESL 5230, TESL 5139, and TESL 5220.

• Be certain to review the TESL Practicum Handbook (toward the top of this page)

• Some students may qualify to complete their practicum through the process of Practicum by Portfolio (PbP).

• Below are the eligibility requirements for doing Practicum by Portfolio:

  1. For candidates pursuing the MA in TESL - K-12 ELL Emphasis: One full academic year of ELL teaching experience. Or 135 hours (45 hours per credit hour) of ELL classroom teaching experience (work as an aide, assistant or substitute is acceptable). Most recent work will be submitted in the form of Unit Plans/Lesson Plans in a PbP Portfolio.

  2. For candidates pursuing the MA in TESL - ESL/EFL Education Emphasis: One full academic year of ESL experience in the U.S. at an academic ESL program (i.e., Community College, University); experience teaching at least 2 different language levels and 2 different academic ESL courses (i.e., ESL Grammar, Conversation, etc). Most recent work equaling one semester (at least 2 different courses/levels) of classroom teaching will be submitted in the form of Unit Plans/Lesson Plans in a CBX Portfolio.

  3. Acceptance to a degree program or classification as a non-degree seeking post-baccalaureate certification (PBC) student or a non-degree seeking graduate certificate student at Webster University.

  4. Good academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or better).

  5. Successful completion of most coursework towards the MA in TESOL degree, Webster TEFL Certificate or Missouri ESOL certification and approval of Academic Advisor. (Practicum as Practicum by Portfolio through Webster University is only available to candidates who have successfully completed at least three TESL courses through Webster University, and at least two of those courses must be from the following three: TESL 5230, TESL 5139, and TESL 5220.)

  6. For candidates pursuing the MA in TESOL - K-12 ELL Emphasis: Confirmed teacher certification status at Webster University.

• If you meet the eligibility requirements for Practicum by Portfolio, contact your academic adviser or Dr. DJ Kaiser to initiate the process and fill out the Practicum Application online.

• Special Note: You cannot use Financial Aid to pay for Credit by Exam (because you do not register for it like a typical course), but the cost of Credit by Exam is significantly less. After you complete your PbP, you will be billed by the Business Office for the Practicum by Portfolio fees according to the Credit-By-Exam fee scale published in the Undergraduate Studies Catalog.  (The listed amount for a three-credit course completed using the Credit-by-Exam fee scale was $1020 for the 2022-23 academic year.)