What Is Social Work?
Social Work Is a Profession that Empowers People and Communities
You came to this page because you want to do work that matters.
You may have come across a social worker in your lifetime. Maybe you searched online about the helping professions and want to learn more about social work, what social workers do, and where they do it.
Whatever brought you here, this page will help you understand the social work profession, explore career opportunities, and learn how a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can prepare you to create meaningful change.
What Do Social Workers Do?
Social workers help individuals, families, groups, and communities improve their well-being and navigate life's challenges.
Unlike professions that focus only on one aspect of a person's experience, social work takes a person-in-environment approach. This means social workers consider not only an individual's circumstances, but also the relationships, communities, institutions, and systems that influence their lives holistically.
Social workers support people experiencing challenges related to:
- Mental health
- Health care and illness
- Family relationships
- Poverty and economic insecurity
- Education
- Housing instability
- Trauma
- Addiction
- Community needs
- Social justice issues
Social workers recognize their clients' strengths and empower them to create positive change. They connect them to vital resources that will improve their lives. And they advocate on their behalf when those individuals or groups need a voice in their corner.
Where Do Social Workers Work?
Social work is defined by its versatility, and social workers are embedded throughout nearly every sector of society. Learn more about some of the most common social work settings in the slideshow below:
The Three Levels of Social Work: Micro, Macro, and Mezzo
In your search, you may have come across the terms “Micro,” “Macro,” and “Mezzo” social work. Let’s clear up exactly what those mean.
Micro, Macro, and Mezzo are names for the three primary levels of social work intervention. They describe the different levels at which social workers create change. A social work position’s scope and focus will determine whether it is a micro, macro, or mezzo job.
Let’s talk specifics:
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“Micro” social workers typically work with individuals or families, providing one-on-one support and interventions to address challenges.
Micro Social Work Job Examples:
- Clinical Social Worker: Provides individual and family therapy
- School Social Worker: Offers counseling to students facing academic, behavioral, or emotional challenges and connects them to resources.
- Medical Social Worker: Helps health care patients and their families navigate medical decisions, understand diagnoses, and access resources.
- Child Welfare Social Worker: Investigates child abuse or neglect allegations, assesses family dynamics, and develops safety plans for at-risk children.
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“Macro” social workers operate at the societal and systemic levels. They focus on larger social issues, influencing policies and developing programs that impact entire communities or populations.
Macro Social Work Job Examples
- Policy Advocate: Influences and shapes social policies and legislation to address systemic issues, such as poverty, health care access, and civil rights.
- Program Developer: Designs and implements community-wide programs to address specific social challenges, such as homelessness prevention initiatives or workforce development programs.
- Social Work Researcher: Conducts research to analyze social trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and inform evidence-based practices.
- Nonprofit Executive: Leads and manages nonprofit organizations focused on addressing social issues, overseeing strategic planning, fundraising, and program development.
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Think of “Mezzo” social workers as in the “middle” of micro and macro, thus combining skills from both. They work with small groups — families, communities, and organizations — to improve group dynamics, relationships, and communication.
Mezzo Social Work Job Examples:
- Family Therapist: Facilitates family therapy sessions to address conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen family relationships
- Community Organizer: Coordinates community efforts to address local issues, build social networks, and promote civic engagement.
- Group Facilitator: Leads support groups for individuals facing common challenges, such as addiction recovery, grief, or parenting issues.
- Corporate Social Worker: Applies social work principles and practices within a corporate or business setting, addressing the social and human resource issues that arise within the workplace.
Importantly, social workers do not always fit neatly into one category.
A clinical social worker may use macro skills when advocating for better mental health systems. A policy professional may use micro skills to understand how policies impact individual lives.
An MSW education prepares students to understand all three levels of practice.
How Do You Become a Social Worker?
Earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree
While some social workers begin with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), many enter the profession through a Master of Social Work (MSW) program after earning an undergraduate degree in another field.
An MSW prepares graduates for advanced social work practice, including clinical practice, community leadership, advocacy, and specialized roles.
Do You Need a BSW to Get an MSW?
You do not need a BSW degree to start an MSW program. At Fordham, you need:
- A bachelor's degree (any major) from a regionally accredited college or university
- 18 undergraduate credits in liberal arts content.
Many successful social workers began their careers in other fields before pursuing graduate education in social work. Students entering MSW programs often come from backgrounds including:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Health Care
- Nonprofit work
The common thread is a desire to understand people and create positive change.
MSW Licensure: Becoming a Professional Social Worker
Social work is a licensed profession, much like law and medicine. Licensure comes with heightened responsibility for professional and ethical conduct and lends important authority to social workers.
After earning an MSW, graduates may pursue licensure pathways, including:
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
The LMSW credential allows social workers to provide services in a variety of settings and is often the first step toward advanced clinical practice. An LMSW is obtained after completing an MSW program and fulfilling specific requirements, which vary by state. The most important of these is passing the LMSW exam.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW credential allows qualified social workers to provide independent clinical services, including psychotherapy. LCSWs possess advanced knowledge and skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health and behavioral issues.
Read related article: LMSW vs. LCSW: What's the Difference?
Why Earn an MSW at Fordham?
Fordham's Graduate School of Social Service will prepare you for a fulfilling, diverse, and flexible career as a social worker. Our MSW program offers:
Diverse Practicum Education Experience
Gain hands-on experience through internships designed to provide you with the knowledge and network for your career. Fordham has partnerships with many agency sites and programs within the tri-state area and across the nation.
Learn more about practicum education opportunities at Fordham.
Flexible Learning Options
Fordham MSW students can pursue their degree through full- and part-time pathways, including online and hybrid options. On-campus students can arrange their schedule to be on campus only one day per week.
More information on our plans of study can be found here.
A Commitment to Human Rights and Social Justice
For over 100 years, the Fordham MSW education has been rooted in human rights and social justice. Students learn to understand both individual experiences and the larger systems that shape people's lives.
Want to Learn More About Social Work at Fordham?
The social work field may be broad, but all social workers are driven by one mission: to help others and make the world a little better than it is today.
If you're interested in social work but not sure where to start, we hope you'll check out a few of our guides on the profession and the MSW education. These guides are meant to be digestible but comprehensive; after reading them, you'll feel more confident as you navigate the admissions process.
