The Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work Outstanding Student Paper Award

The WSSCSW sponsors an award each year for the best clinical paper submitted from 2nd year MSW students from the University of Washington Seattle campus, the University of Washington Tacoma campus, and Walla Walla College. This year, one winner will be selected from all submissions from the three MSW programs in our state. We will be awarding one Honorable Mention Paper from each MSW Program as well. The WSSCSW feels strongly about supporting the clinical aspirations of the students at these three universities and values its relationship with their graduate programs in Social Work.

What is the actual award?

As the winner, you will receive a $500 cash award and a certificate suitable for framing presented to you by the WSSCSW President at your graduation ceremony, recognition on a plaque permanently displayed at your school, mention in the WSSCSW newsletter, and a one year membership in the WSSCSW. One Honorable Mention Award will be given to a deserving student from each MSW program as well. The Honorable Mention Winners will each receive a one year membership in the WSSCSW.

What are the evaluation criteria for the paper I submit?

Papers submitted for consideration will be evaluated by the following criteria:

• Overall Paper and Cover Page should be Double Spaced and 12 Point Font
• Cover Page should answer the question: "Why I Want to Be a Clinical Social Worker"- no more than one page
• Theoretical ideas are cogently presented
• Clinical material integrates the theoretical ideas presented and illustrates application to clinical practice; in other words, your paper should contain both theory and direct case material
• The writing style, including grammar and clarity of presentation, is of high quality
• The paper should be no longer than 20 pages in its entirety (Not including the cover page)
• The overall style of professional writing should conform to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
• The Clinical Paper does not have to be a new paper- you may submit a paper that was previously written for your practice class in your senior year

Is there a contact faculty member at my school I can talk with about the award?

Lana Martin, Ph.D. (lana.martin@wallawalla.edu)
Walla Walla College, School of Social Work and Sociology

Gary Olson, Ph.D. (garyo@u.washington.edu)
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle

Marcie Lazzari, Ph.D. (mlazzari@u.washington.edu)
Director, Social Work Program, University of Washington, Tacoma

How do I apply for the outstanding student paper award?

You will receive an email from the WSSCSW inviting you to send in a clinical paper by the deadline in the Spring. You will be asked to send 4 copies of your typed, double-spaced paper to our Student Paper Award Representative. Please make sure your name, the name of your school and your contact information including phone and email are on the paper and/or in the cover letter. In addition, a poster should be visible at your school with information for applying for the award.

The deadline for postmark is no later than April 30th, 2009.

Please send submissions to:
WSSCSW
c/o Lyla Ross, MSW
5619 Latona Ave. N.E.
Seattle, WA. 98105

Questions from WSSCSW?
Email Lyla at lylaross@hotmail.com

Congratulations to the 2008 Outstanding Student Paper Award winners!

UW Seattle Winner: Alexandra Fleming, MSW for her paper "Re-conceptualizing Pre-natal Care in the African American Childbearing Population: a Socio-cultural Contextual Framework."

Walla Walla University Winner: Josh Bratton, MSW for his paper "Intersexed: The Ultimate Schism Between the Real and False Selves."