Understanding the Curricular Needs and Practice Contexts of Macro Social Work: A Community-Based Process

ABSTRACT

Macro social workers have consistently taken up the difficult task of articulating and refining our identity. Deciding on priorities for the preparation of students is a key component of this work. Standards and areas of focus set by our accrediting and organizing bodies (Council on Social Work Education [CSWE], Association for Community Organization and Social Administration [ACOSA]) are a great help toward this goal of continual refinement of standards and competencies for macro practice. Adding to this scholarship, our research uses practitioner interviews from a large, urban area (N = 16); our research goal was to examine the essential knowledge, skills, and attributes for macro social workers and to determine associated programmatic considerations. Findings highlight the need to honor and promote the unique disciplinary framework and philosophical underpinnings of macro social work, while also preparing students to work across multiple levels of practice and diverse disciplines.

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Notes on contributors

Cindy A. Sousa

Cindy Sousa, PhD, MSW, MPH, is an associate professor of Social Work at Bryn Mawr College. Margo Campbell is an assistant professor of social work and Director of Undergraduate Social Work Education at Widener University. Sarah Slates, MA, MSSW, PhD Candidate, is the director of Career Services and Writing Coach at Bryn Mawr College, Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. Casey Cook received her Bachelors in Women’s Studies and Education from Temple University, and her Master of Social Service and Master of Law and Social Policy from the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research at Bryn Mawr College. Lemuel Yutzy, PhD, LCSW-C, has over a decade of experience in therapeutic settings working with children, adolescents, adults, groups, and couples.