We support numerous Internships in career fields where English majors, creative writers, and journalists and editors are in very high demand. You can receive up to four academic credits for an academic internship. If you are interested in doing an internship for credit, contact Dr. Elizabeth O’Connor, the department’s internship coordinator, to discuss your plans and options.

Apply for the Sophie Kerr Promise Grants, a program that gives students funding to support experiemental learning and professional opportunities. Learn more by visiting the Sophie Kerr Promise Grants page. 

The Lit House

A pretty unique place in the world. For students interested in any and all forms of writing, literature, editing & publishing, and creative endeavor, the Rose O'Neill Literary House is the metaphorical candy store.

Prizes

In addition to the big one, the $65,000 Sophie Kerr Prize, there are other opportunities for Washington College writers to make their mark, and make a few bucks. The English department each year awards the Lamond Senior Capstone Award, a cash-prize, for the best SCE in English.

The Rose O'Neill Literary House awards prizes for poetry, genre fiction, and environmental writing.

Publications

While studying on campus, you can submit your work to several entirely student-led and award-winning publications including The Collegian (literary magazine), The Elm (newspaper), The Pegasus (yearbook), and The Washington College Review (journal of the liberal arts and sciences).  You might also become an editor of one of these publications with a paid internship.

Sophie Kerr Scholarships

In addition to the largest undergraduate literary prize, Sophie Kerr Scholarships are available to incoming students. These scholarships are awarded annually to entering students who intend to major in English and who show outstanding promise in the field of English or American literature. Scholarship finalists are selected by members of the English Department. The Sophie Kerr Promise Grants provide up to $3000 for every English major for things such as Senior Capstone research, travel and study abroad, internships, and graduate school application fees. Hear more about Emma Campbell's grant that paid for her to travel to Canada to research her SCE topic, Anne of Green Gables.

Studies Abroad

English majors and minors fluent in a language taught at Washington College, such as French, German, Spanish, Italian, or Japanese, may be applicable for certain non-English-language exchange programs that may offer courses on English-language literature.

For students not fluent in another language, the Washington College exchange programs listed below have been known to offer English-language courses suited to English majors and minors (course availability may vary from semester to semester). Please check with Washington College’s Office of International Programs for availability.

Some of the most popular destinations for English Majors are Royal Holloway, University of London; University College Cork, Ireland; University of St Andrews, Scotland; and, Bond University, Australia.

Honor Society

Sigma Tau Delta is an international English Honor Society for students who excel in the study of English language and literature.

This honor society offers students opportunities to enrich their education and careers. The Alpha Mu Nu chapter at Washington College is headed by Professor Courtney Rydel.