Before applying for admission, be sure to look at all of the programs and individual classes that Webster University has to offer online to determine if what we offer meets your needs. We recommend reviewing 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, feel free to contact the Online Learning Center (OLC) at studyonline@webster.edu or (866) 622-0888.

Completing the Application Process

Students must be admitted to the university before being able to register for classes. Complete information regarding university admission is available here.

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
• Each applicant must submit an official, final transcript designating a degree and date of conferral from the degree-granting institution in order to complete the application file. It is also encouraged that transcripts from all colleges and universities attended be submitted. Please submit all transcripts to the following address:

  Office of Admission

  Webster University

  470 East Lockwood Ave.

  St. Louis, MO 63119

In addition to the requirements above, individual programs may require additional information or application materials to be submitted. Please refer to the admissions link at the beginning of this section for more information.

Activating Your Connections Account

After your application is submitted, you will receive an email at the email address you noted on your application asking you to activate your Webster Connections account. This will allow you to check your application status online. You will need to activate your account within 5 days of the date this email is issued, as the link expires. If you need assistance, please contact the Office of Admission at (800) 753-6765 or admissioninfo@webster.edu.

Please make note of your Connections ID and new password you create during this process, as it will become your official Webster Connections username and password, which you will use to login to your online courses – see Step 4 for more information.

Admission Letter

Approximately 72 hours (3 business days) after you submit your application for admission to Webster University, you will receive an email from the university letting you know about your admission. (Note: If you did not apply online you will not receive an acceptance email.) You will be connected to Academic Advising via this email, who will then provide some information to schedule your initial advising session. You will also receive a formal acceptance letter in the mail at your permanent address approximately 10 days after acceptance.

Once your file has been evaluated, you will be notified of the official admission decision through the mail. You may also receive an email from your admission counselor notifying you of your acceptance.

Your next step in the enrollment process is to schedule an appointment with the Academic Advising Center. You will be contacted by the Advising Center to schedule your initial advising and registration appointment.

New students (and students who have not been enrolled for one academic year or longer) 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.

Students in Any School of Education Program

Contact the School of Education at soe@webster.edu or (800) 753-6765 for more information on advising, registration and teacher certification review.

Students in All Other Programs

Accepted students in all other programs must schedule an online, phone or email appointment with Academic Advising or a local campus in order to receive a degree plan, which is required before students can register for their first course.

Once officially accepted to the university, you will be connected with Academic Advising to begin the advising process. To prepare for your advising appointment, please consider the following:

• A. How you would like to conduct your appointment. Your options include:
  • in person at a local campus or the Academic Advising Center in St. Louis, MO
  • phone appointment
  • via email
• B. We will need to see a copy of your transcript(s) to determine whether or not you meet the pre-requisites of your program. The following programs require prerequisite courses:
  • Master of Business Administration
  • MS Environmental Management
  • MS Finance
  • MS Computer Science
  • All School of Communications programs

Please be ready to either email of fax an unofficial copy of your transcripts to your advisor prior to your appointment. Official transcripts must also be mailed to the university. If you are a Webster University graduate, your advisor will use the transcripts on file to determine your pre-requisite course waivers.

C. How many classes you think you want to take. Our graduate classes are held in eight or nine week terms, and 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 who have experience with online learning and the time in their personal schedule to dedicate to this courseload.

During or after the advising appointment, all students pursuing a graduate degree will receive detailed information including contact information for Advising, 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.

Completing your advising appointment as described in Step 2 above 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.

Important: You have to be registered for a class in order to proceed past Step 3. Your online account credentials will not be processed until you register for your first class.

Note: The deadline for registration for online courses is the Wednesday prior to the start of each term. Late registrations are not allowed, due to the demanding nature of online coursework.

After your initial registration, you will receive an email introducing you to Webster's Connections portal. If you do not receive this email or need assistance, please contact the Webster University IT Service Desk at (314) 968-5995 or toll free at (866) 435-7270.

Connections Account

Connections is the secure student portal where you will access the WorldClassRoom for your online courses, Webster email, 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. There is also a link to Connections from Webster's homepage.

Webster Email Account

Your Webster email is located within Connections. You'll want to make sure to check this regularly, as it is the university's official means of communicating with you after you are accepted. Webster will correspond with you only via e-mail to your assigned Webster email address. If you'd like, you can set your Webster e-mail to be forwarded to any e-mail account you specify. Please watch the short video on forwarding email located in the Video Tutorials list to the right to learn how.

To access your email, log in to Connections. Near the top right, you will see several icons. Click on the one that says Email. The first time you access your email, you will need to re-enter your Connections 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.

Payment arrangements should be in place a minimum of two weeks prior to the beginning of the term. Webster accepts several methods of payment, with different criteria for each. Please check the Bursar's website for more information on payment options.

Students who plan to utilize federal financial aid should allow time 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, please 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.

Review the Quick Start information linked to the right prior to the start of your first course, both to ensure your computer is properly configured for WorldClassRoom and to understand the expectations of you as an online student, so that you may be successful as you learn online.

We also highly recommend you view the Online Course Tour from the list on the right to learn how to find your way around your online class and understand how to use various course tools. Please also see Step 9 below to learn about other resources and training opportunities which will be available to you just prior to the start of your first term in an online course.

Online learning is much different than classroom learning. We recommend you review the information found on the "Are you ready for online?" and "Planning for Success" tabs above for great information and tips for online learning.

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 reasonable accommodations.

Webster's Library provides a number of online resources, including databases, books, e-reserves and references.

Career Services can also assist you with career planning and development during your enrollment at Webster.

All services provided by the ARC, Library and Career Services are free to students.

Textbook information is available through the MBS Direct website, and is typically posted 4-6 weeks prior to the start of each term.

Students utilizing financial aid may be eligible for the Money for Textbooks program, which provides a voucher to order books based on any expected refund from financial aid.

If your textbook doesn't arrive by the start of class, it is possible that your instructor has copied the first few reading assignments for you. If so, they will be available to you electronically within the Textbook eReserves folder on your course homepage. Check in your course for details.

Training Course and Webinar Sessions

You will have access to a WorldClassRoom Training Course roughly one week prior to the start of the term. In this course you will learn to navigate WorldClassRoom, practice using course tools, and interact with other students 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, and the Library. A demonstration of how to navigate your online course, typical items to look for and the use of course tools will also be provided.

More information on 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 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).

Logging into WorldClassRoom for Your Online Course

Courses will generally 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 participate in 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.

You should plan to attend a webinar and complete the Training Course before the term begins, and then be sure to login to your course regularly and actively participate. Typically, readings, discussions and assignments are given in week-long blocks. If you have any questions about your course, don't hesitate to ask your instructor.

During terms in which you are enrolled in an online course, you will have access to the Online Student Center, which will appear as a "course" in WorldClassRoom. Here you will find helpful resources, links to more information and opportunities to connect with your fellow classmates outside of the classroom environment.