SW 160 Chapter 2: Social Work as a Profession and Career

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, values, practice levels, educational pathways, and employment outlook from Chapter 2 of SW 160.

Micro Practice

Direct work with individuals and families, such as helping a client create a resource plan.

Mezzo Practice

Work with groups, teams, and organizations, such as leading a support group or improving a school program.

Macro Practice

Work with communities, systems, and policies, such as advocating for affordable housing or community services.

Guiding Questions of Social Work

The two questions that guide the field: 'How can we support this person?' and 'What needs to change around them?'

Person in Context of Environment

The core social work approach of evaluating the whole person by considering their immediate needs, existing strengths, support systems, and surrounding resources.

Social Work Core Values

Grounding principles of the profession including: 1) Respect for the dignity and worth of every person, 2) The importance of human relationships, 3) Service and social responsibility, 4) Integrity and professional competence, and 5) A commitment to justice and inclusion.

Key Social Work Skills

Professional capabilities including active listening and clear communication, empathy with healthy professional boundaries, problem-solving and resource navigation, cultural humility and curiosity, ethical decision-making, and teamwork, advocacy, and documentation.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

An undergraduate degree pathway that prepares individuals to enter the social work profession by connecting classroom learning with real-world practice.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

A graduate degree pathway for entering the social work profession, combined with field education and licensing requirements.

Supervised Field Education

Practicum learning in social work education that connects classroom instruction directly with real-world practice.

U.S. Social Work Employment Projection (2025–2035)

U.S. employment of social workers is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 69,100 openings per year projected on average over that decade.