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 and multilingual speakers living in either English-speaking or non-English-speaking communities 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.

The MA in TESOL has three emphases:

ESL/EFL education emphasis – designed to meet the needs of future educators of adults in the United States and/or teaching English as a foreign language overseas. In this case, prior teaching experience is not required.

International education emphasis – designed for current and future teachers of English in settings outside of the United States. In this case, prior teaching experience in not required.

K-12 English language learner (ELL) education emphasis – designed to meet the needs of existing content area educators interested in expanding their knowledge of teaching ELLs. In this case, a certificate of license to teach is required.

^The ESL/EFL education emphasis is available online and at the St. Louis campus. The K-12 ELL education emphasis is available online and at the St. Louis campuses. The international education emphasis is available at the Athens, Webster University Tashkent, Webster University at Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, Webster University at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages, and Webster University at Astana International University campuses. Students in the international education emphasis at the Webster University Tashkent, Webster University at Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, Webster University at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages, and Webster University at Astana International University campuses will be enrolled in the MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages with Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language as one single program leading to both the master's degree and the graduate certificate.

As part of the MA in TESOL – the K-12 ELL education emphasis, we offer coursework leading to the Missouri ELL Certification, a 21 credit-hour certification issued through Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The certification is designed for preK-12 teachers working with non-English speakers in regular, bilingual or English Language Learner (ELL) U.S. classrooms. A valid Missouri permanent or professional certificate of license to teach (participants in the TESL program at Webster may be working toward the initial certification, but will not receive the ELL certification until initial teaching certification is awarded) and three prerequisite courses (which may be undergraduate or graduate credit) of Psychology and/or Education of the Exceptional Student, Teaching Reading in Content Fields, and Reading Assessment and Interventions are required in order to obtain the certification.

Students completing the MA in TESOL with an emphasis in ESL/EFL education or the MA in TESOL with an emphasis in international education may qualify to earn a graduate certificate in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) where the certificate is available. To gain the certificate, MA students must pay a second graduation fee. The TEFL certificate is designed for students interested in teaching outside of the United States in both adult and K-12 settings. Students seeking this graduate certificate must have earned a recognized baccalaureate degree and meet the admission and acceptance criteria, as outlined in the graduate program’s Academic Policies.