Social work master's degree programs generally focus on different areas of social work. For instance, micro level social worker programs focus on teaching students how to help individuals. These programs train students in clinical social work, and offer information on how to help people understand their problems by talking about them in group, family or individual therapy.
Macro level programs concentrate on teaching students about broader programs. Students learn to help people through community organizing, program development, advocacy and policy work.
Accredited master's degree social work programs require a minimum of 900 hours of fieldwork experience done under a licensed, qualified supervisors. Fieldwork and supervision are essential elements to social work graduate training. Fieldwork gives the student the opportunity to gain experience first hand, working with people in a specific setting. Working closely with a licensed supervisor, the student is able to apply academic knowledge to practice.
Supervision is a core part of social work training. Supervisors work to orient the student to agency and governmental policies that influence social work practice. They also support the student in the workplace and provide education. Social work supervision generally involves the discussion and analysis of the work that the student is doing with clients with a concentration on how the social worker interacts with clients individually. The supervisor guides the student in thinking about his approach to the work.
All master's degree social work programs have requirements for coursework. Coursework generally includes learning about the ethical obligations of social workers, understanding cultural diversity, working with at-risk populations and ways to promote social and economic justice. Coursework can include classes focused on human behavior, social welfare policy and social work practice. Some programs require the student to conduct an independent research project or masters thesis, while for some schools a research methods class fulfills this requirement.