Graduate Program Checklist
Admission and Welcome Letter
Before applying for admission, look at all of the online programs and individual classes that Webster University offers to determine what meets your needs. Review the academic calendar to ensure that your schedule will be compatible with the course schedule. If you have any questions about Webster's online programs, please contact the Online Learning Center (OLC) at joinusonline@webster.edu or (855) 241-7373.
The application process requires you to submit to the Admissions Office the following credentials:
- A completed application for graduate admission
- A $50 non-refundable application processing fee
- An official, final transcript designating a degree and date of conferral from the degree-granting institution submitted to:
Webster University
Attn: Admissions
470 East Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119
Individual programs may require additional information or application materials. To learn more, access the Graduate Admissions Webpage.
Once your file has been evaluated, you will be notified of the official admission decision through the mail. You may also receive an email or a call from your admissions counselor notifying you of your acceptance and details of your next steps.
Advising
New students and students in their first academic year are required to consult with an academic advisor before registering for classes. This consultation is necessary to help you plan your schedule, address the requirements of your degree, and register for your first class(es).
Contact the School of Education at soe@webster.edu or (800) 753-6765 for more information on advising, registration, and teacher certification review.
Once officially accepted to the university, you will be connected with Academic Advising or your local campus advisor. Prior to registration, accepted students must schedule a phone, in-person, or email advising appointment to receive a degree plan. Prior to your appointment, email or fax an unofficial copy of your transcripts to your advisor. If you are a Webster University graduate, your advisor will use the transcripts on file to determine eligibility for prerequisite course waivers.
Graduate classes are held in eight or nine week terms, dependent upon the degree. There are five terms per year. One course per term is recommended, but two are allowed for students with an undergraduate GPA above a 2.5, and who have experience with online learning and have the time in their personal schedule to dedicate to this course load.
During or after the advising appointment, you will receive detailed information, including contact information for your Academic Advisor, dates of registration, links to the catalog and financial information, as well as a link to the Academic Advising website where you can find more information.
Registration
Completing your advising appointment allows you to register for classes. Your advisor or a university representative will register you for your first term. Registration for future terms can either be done on your own through your Connections account (see step 4) or by contacting your advisor. The deadline for registration for online courses is the Friday prior to the start of each term. Due to the nature of online coursework, late registrations are not allowed.
Important: You must be registered for a class in order to proceed past Step 3. Your online account credentials will be processed 24 hours after you have registered for your first class.
Important: You must be registered for a class in order to proceed past Step 3. Your online account credentials will be processed 24 hours after you have registered for your first class.
Set Up Your Webster Connections and Email Accounts
Connections is the secure student portal where you will access Webster email, access WorldClassRoom for your online courses, register for courses, view your student account, pay tuition and fees online, receive notices from Webster, and much more. After you receive your introductory email, login to Connections to familiarize yourself with the resources available. There is also a link to Connections from Webster's homepage.
Approximately 24-48 hours after you have registered for your first course, you will receive an email at the email address you noted on your application asking you to activate your Webster Connections account. You will need to activate your account within 5 days of the date the email is issued, or the link will expire. If you need assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk at (866) 435-7270. You will need to be at a computer at the time of your call.
Please make note of your Connections ID and new password you create during this process, since they will become your official Webster Connections username and password. You will use these to login to your online courses – see Step 4 for more information.
Please make note of your Connections ID and new password you create during this process, since they will become your official Webster Connections username and password. You will use these to login to your online courses – see Step 4 for more information.
Your Webster email is located within Connections. Check this regularly, as it is the university's official means of communicating with you. Once accepted, Webster will correspond only via e-mail to your assigned Webster email address. You can set your Webster e-mail to be forwarded to any e-mail account you specify. Watch the short video about forwarding email located in the Video Tutorials list to learn how.
To access your email, log in to Connections. Near the top right, you will see several icons. Click on the icon that says Email. The first time you access your email, you will need to re-enter your password. Be sure your pop-up blockers are off or you will receive an error message. If you have trouble, please contact the IT Service Desk.
To access your email, log in to Connections. Near the top right, you will see several icons. Click on the icon that says Email. The first time you access your email, you will need to re-enter your password. Be sure your pop-up blockers are off or you will receive an error message. If you have trouble, please contact the IT Service Desk.
Make Arrangements to Pay for your Courses
Payment arrangements should be in place a minimum of two weeks prior to the beginning of the term. Webster accepts several methods of payment, each with different criteria. For more information, please check the Bursar's Website.
If you are utilizing federal financial aid, allow sufficient time to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and for Webster to receive and process your FAFSA information. You will also need to complete Webster University's financial aid application. If you need assistance or have questions, contact Financial Aid at (800) 983-4263.
One to two weeks after your initial registration, you will receive a Webster Higher One debit card in the mail. Please make sure to activate your card. If at any time during your enrollment at Webster you are eligible for a financial aid or tuition refund, it will be applied to your Higher One card and your card must be activated.
Note: The Higher One card is not a credit card.
If you are utilizing federal financial aid, allow sufficient time to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and for Webster to receive and process your FAFSA information. You will also need to complete Webster University's financial aid application. If you need assistance or have questions, contact Financial Aid at (800) 983-4263.
One to two weeks after your initial registration, you will receive a Webster Higher One debit card in the mail. Please make sure to activate your card. If at any time during your enrollment at Webster you are eligible for a financial aid or tuition refund, it will be applied to your Higher One card and your card must be activated.
Note: The Higher One card is not a credit card.
Prepare Your Computer & Understand How to Navigate Your Online Course
Review the Quick Start information prior to the start of your first course to ensure your computer is properly configured for WorldClassRoom and to understand online student expectations. View the Online Course Tour while in the Demo Course to explore your online class and understand how to use various course tools. See Step 9 to learn about other resources and training opportunities that will be available prior to the start of your first online course.
Prepare Yourself
Online learning is different from classroom learning. Review the information found on the "Are you ready for online?" and the Gorlok Toolbox webpages for great information and tips. Webster's Library provides a number of online resources, including databases, books, e-reserves, webinars, and references. The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides assistance with writing, tutoring and accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability, please contact the ARC at 314-246-7620 to arrange for accommodations. All services provided by the ARC and Library are free to students.
Order Textbooks
Textbook information is available through the Follett website. Textbook requirements will be posted when registration opens. Be sure to order your books well ahead of time. Shipping can take anywhere from 3-10 days, dependent upon where you are located. If you are located internationally, shipping may take 4-6 weeks.
Students utilizing federal financial aid may be eligible for the Money for Textbooks program. Money for Textbooks provides a voucher to order books based on any undisbursed refund from financial aid. In order to be eligible for Money for Textbooks, you must be a student taking classes at a St. Louis campus or online.
Students utilizing federal financial aid may be eligible for the Money for Textbooks program. Money for Textbooks provides a voucher to order books based on any undisbursed refund from financial aid. In order to be eligible for Money for Textbooks, you must be a student taking classes at a St. Louis campus or online.
Log in to WorldClassRoom & Utilize Resources to Help You Prepare
You will have access to a WorldClassRoom Training Course roughly one week prior to the start of the graduate term. You will learn to navigate WorldClassRoom, practice using course tools, and you will interact with other students who are also in their first online course, experienced online students, and Webster staff. This is a hands-on opportunity to get comfortable with the online learning environment before your actual course begins.
There will also be an Introduction to Webster Online Webinar the week prior to each term. The Webinar covers various services and resources available to you, such as Connections, Webster email, the Library, course navigation and some important tips for success.
More information about both the Training Course and Webinar sessions will be emailed to you in the weeks prior to your first term in an online course.
There will also be an Introduction to Webster Online Webinar the week prior to each term. The Webinar covers various services and resources available to you, such as Connections, Webster email, the Library, course navigation and some important tips for success.
More information about both the Training Course and Webinar sessions will be emailed to you in the weeks prior to your first term in an online course.
- If you are a brand new Webster student, information will be sent to your Webster and personal email.
- If you are a current Webster student or have taken courses on a Webster campus at anytime in the last five years, information will be sent to your Webster University email account (see Step 4 above) .
Courses will be available by 12:00 pm (Noon, Central Time) on the Friday prior to the official start of the term. You will not be able access your actual courses any earlier than the Friday before the term starts. However, please login to WorldClassRoom prior to this date to complete the Training Course mentioned above.
Your online class and the Training Course can be accessed by logging into Connections, clicking the "Student" tab, and clicking on the "Course Login" button. You will then log into WorldClassRoom using your Connections ID and password.
Logging into WorldClassRoom is your first key to success. Attend a webinar and complete the Training Course before the term begins, login to your course regularly and actively participate. If you have any questions about your course, ask your instructor.
Your online class and the Training Course can be accessed by logging into Connections, clicking the "Student" tab, and clicking on the "Course Login" button. You will then log into WorldClassRoom using your Connections ID and password.
Logging into WorldClassRoom is your first key to success. Attend a webinar and complete the Training Course before the term begins, login to your course regularly and actively participate. If you have any questions about your course, ask your instructor.
Utilize the Online Student Commons
During terms in which you are enrolled in an online course, you will have access to the Online Student Commons, which will appear under "courses" in WorldClassRoom. Here you will find helpful resources, links to more information, and opportunities to connect with your classmates outside of the classroom environment.