Micro social work refers to advanced social work practice with small client systems (individuals, families, and groups) and collateral persons, professionals, and organizations relevant to practice with these small systems.

Micro field assignments may include in-depth assessment of client systems and resources, crisis intervention, application of intervention theories and skills, formulation of short and long-range goals, utilization of empowerment strategies to meet these goals, identification of and connection to community resources, and evaluation of intervention outcomes.

Micro social workers are employed in a variety of fields, including:

• mental health
• child welfare and children’s services
• health clinics and hospitals
• rehabilitation clinics
• family service settings
• school social work
• services for the elderly
• housing agencies

Macro social work refers to advanced social work practice with large client systems (organizations, neighborhoods, and communities) and focuses on supervision, management and administration, research, planning, grant writing, policy formulation, advocacy, and impacting the legislative process.

Macro field assignments may include development/implementation of needs assessment methodologies, identification of strategies and outcome measures, participation in grant preparation, design and/or implementation of programs and service delivery systems, involvement in program evaluation, work with client groups for the purpose of organizing and policy change, and evaluation of intervention outcomes.

Macro social workers work in a variety of positions, including:

• Program developers and directors
• Health and welfare planners
• Community organizers for local action groups
• Consultants and policy analysts for state and federal agencies
• Legislative advocates
• Organizational development specialists
• Health educators
• Youth workers
• Program evaluators
• Human service managers and supervisors