Within social work, there are several different specialty areas for students to pursue. If you are the type of person that really wants to work with individuals, but also want to make a widespread different, degree programs in Mezzo Social Work may be the right option for you.
What is Different Between Mezzo vs. Macro and Micro?
Mezzo Social Work programs differ from Macro and Micro programs in that they do not specifically focus on individual or widespread need primarily. These degree programs may contain a subtle blend of both areas in order to create a whole new position for upcoming social workers to fulfill.
In terms of learning, students within these degree programs may have the option to dive deep into each area, so that they can both influence the lives of individuals and work to create a better environment for all people to live in.
People that are truly passionate about helping others may seek out fields in which they can exercise their ability to make a difference. The field of social work as a whole can be a great foundation for people with helpful personalities, empathy for others or even the overall desire to make the world a better place.
Social work defined is not specific to one population or discriminate to one certain type of person. Social workers of all sorts are currently working in the field in many large fields such as education, social services, healthcare and even mental health. The goal of the social worker is to help connect people with services and agencies that can help change their life.
Enrolling in a Mezzo MSW Program: What to Expect
If you enroll in a Mezzo Social Work degree program, you may have the opportunity to engage with other learners working towards the same professional goal. After you have enrolled, you can take classes that can educate you on proper research methods for social work professionals.
This can be very important when you trying to gather support for the need of new social programs within your area. You may also learn about different techniques and methods for working with members of society. Remaining unbiased and empathetic towards the people you work with are skills that may be highlighted within these programs.
The overall goal of Mezzo Social Work degree programs is to help learners become more efficient at identifying client need, while considering widespread change that can help you clients and people like them.
Online Mezzo Social Work MSW Programs
Mezzo Social Work degree programs may be popular degree choices for students that are not committed to certain fields of social work at the student level. Within these programs, students can learn more about each specialized program area so that their expertise is not limited to one particular area and not another.
Students that may be interested in even more convenience with their education may choose to pursue their degree in the online setting. A lot of upcoming college students may be choosing online degree programs for their college experience, so that they can continue to work full-time jobs and spend time at home with their families.
Expect Independent Study
Online Mezzo Social Work degrees may look very similar to students that have engaged in traditional course work at the master’s level. While the online classroom may be a new experience for students, the quality of consistency of the course work within these classes may be equal to that found in the traditional environment. In order for students to get the most out of online programs, they may be required to spend a certain amount of time each week reviewing their assignments, engaging in readings provided by instructors and completing papers or other assignments on their computer. Most courses found online may require students to submit assignments by a particular due date, which can give students the flexibility of working at hours that work for them.
Look for CSWE Accredited MSW Programs
In terms of availability, Online Mezzo Social Work programs are widespread in the online setting. Students that are intrigued by the idea of completing their degree online may be able to find hundreds of potential programs available throughout the United States, most of which hold current accreditation with the CSWE. Accreditation is particularly important for online degree programs, since it may be required for students to become licensed after finishing their degree and completing their supervised internship.
A note on internships
The internship requirement typically remains in place for most Online Mezzo Social Work programs, which means students will still have to take part in the work experience component of the program before graduating. You should review your school’s requirements on this internship prior to enrolling.
If you want to learn more about the different types of programs currently available to Mezzo Social Work students, take a look at the list below, or Online MSW Programs here or view MSW programs by state. Our team of experts was able to locate online degree programs currently accepting students. In order to help you see more about what these programs offer and where they are located, they have listed them below for you to review. See if any of these schools offers a program that meets your expectations and standards.
- Case Western Reserve University: Some of the best mezzo social work programs can be found at universities all over the country. Case Western Reserve University currently offers online MSW programs that can introduce students to relevant social work topics, methods and practices that can benefit their work in the field and the communities being served. This program consists of a 60 credit hour graduation requirements for students, which includes 24 general credits and 36 credits in specialized courses. The entire program can be finished within 2.5 years.
- Colorado State University: If you are seeking a university that has a wide variety of specializations available, look no further than Colorado State University. This schools offers an online MSW program with specializations that may be suitable for students interested in community social work practice or individual practice. This program also includes a 1,000 hour internship requirement, which can be completed during the course of the program. Most students graduate from this program within 2-3 years.
- Concordia University – Wisconsin: Flexibility may be one of the most crucial components for upcoming MSW learners. Concordia University – Wisconsin currently provides an exceptionally flexible online MSW program for upcoming students that wish to pursue mezzo social work careers after graduation. This program consists of 66 credit hours, which can be completed at a full-time or part-time rate. Students that are enrolled in the full-time program can possibly complete their degree within 2.5 years.
Mezzo Concentrated Coursework to Expect
One thing that all of these schools may have in common is the type of courses that students can take part in after they are enrolled. While colleges may provide different types of flair and other attractive features, one of the main things you should consider before choosing one is the quality of the coursework that you may be expected to participate in. A lot of different schools may provide you with detailed information about their courses on their website, making research a huge part of learning more about your degree program and what is involved in it. For Mezzo Social Work programs, the courses you take may end up being the very foundation of your professional career.
In most programs at this level, students can expect to look at topics within the entire spectrum of social work. Since Mezzo Social Work takes into consideration the needs of individuals and society as a whole, there may be a variety of courses that touch on each respectively. Some universities that offer these types of degrees may provide students with the opportunity to engaging in projects that can get them into the public domain, such as community research projects, case studies and even social reviews. These experiences can help students apply their knowledge of the course material to real-world issues current within their own communities.
Other topics of interest within Mezzo Social Work programs may include those that look further into the development of social service agencies or programs. In order to truly understand the scope of your responsibilities, you should know more about the missions and goals of the agencies you are tasked with working for. The origination of social agencies and changing social policies are also popular course topics for students at this level. Since Mezzo Social Work is also concerned with the individual, students may take courses that can teach them how to communicate effectively with clients in the field, advocate for their rights and put them into contact with services that can assist them. Our team of educational experts has pulled some common courses from social work programs in order to shed some light on the topics you may learn about throughout your experience.
Social Work Research Methods
Regardless of which social work profession you choose, it may be necessary to have a solid foundation of learning in social work research. This course can inform students about the proper methods for conducting relevant social work research, provide a overview of research principles and the different between qualitative and quantitative research. Students may also learn about various types of research designs, such as single subject, experimental and quasi-experimental throughout the duration of this course.
Social Work and Women
Throughout your degree program, you may also take courses that are specific to certain groups within society. This course specifically identifies the social service system and how it relates to women. Students may investigate differences in the field of education, welfare and even healthcare during this course. The social policies relevant to women may also be discussed in this course, in order for students to learn more about how these regulations and standards can affect women of varying ages, races and sexual orientations.
Health and Social Work
In the field of social work, healthcare and planning may be large factors that can be influential for all members of society. Students enrolled in this course can take a look at the healthcare system and how it is applied within varying socioeconomic areas throughout the United States. This course may also take a look at relevant health policies that can affect members of society in different ways, depending on their current financial standing, religion and social status. An overview of the historical evolution of social health policies may also be provided.
An Overview of Mezzo Social Work
Choosing to work with one certain group in society is not always a reasonable choice for upcoming social work professionals. Some people may determine that working with all people and groups may be a more profitable decision that just choosing one distinct category. The field of Mezzo Social Work involves social work that focuses both on individual and widespread application of social work techniques for the greater good. If you are in the group of people that wish to have a widespread influence on all members of society, this could definitely be the right type of degree program to become involved with. Read more about this program area in this section.
Mezzo Social Work is a field that may require a diverse set of skills for those involved with it. Since some of the work will be on an individual level and other will be with larger groups, the skill-set required for professionals in this field may be more diverse than those in Micro or Macro positions. For instance, communication skills can be incredibly important at either level. However, having skills to speak publicly and different skills to communicate effectively with people that have experienced trauma can be very different. Course work within these degree programs can assist you with gaining the right types of skills to do either within your career.
Societal vs. Individual Concentration
In some cases, Mezzo Social Work professionals may also blend both societal knowledge and individual knowledge within the same case. Social workers that are seeking educational support for their clients may need to contact higher tier social policy directors to learn more about how to rally for their rights. This may include attending public conferences, writing letters or even speaking with members of society that can play a role in making this level of changes. In other cases, working with individuals that have greater needs than what can be addressed at the local level may require the social worker to go above and beyond the standard level of a social worker to get the help that is needed.
Individual and Policy Advocate
Mezzo Social Workers can sometimes act as advocates for the people they serve. This may require a higher level of knowledge about the different systems and policies available to the public, as well as the channels available for you to initiate change. This field can be a great way for social workers to get involved with their community, as well as their state social service departments. If you are interested in what this degree can provide for you in terms of careers, read more about that in the section below.
What Types of Jobs or Careers within Mezzo Social Work?
The Mezzo Social Work professional can choose from a wide variety of career options after they have graduated. An interesting component about this field is that graduates can choose to work in many different areas of social work, since their degree programs may have prepared them for working with individuals, as well as bigger groups within the communities. Some of the career opportunities for professionals in the field may include those that are interested in improving the overall state of their communities through the use of state and federal resources. In order to be a successful candidate of these positions, prospects must have knowledge of both national social policies and the needs of their communities as well.
Others in this field may find it necessary to focus on smaller projects that can influence the lives of the people within their community, several people at a time. Leaders of helpful support groups can also make a difference in the lives of people within their community, all while improving their overall community at the same time. These professionals can assist people with making the right decisions, finding hobbies that can keep them away from getting back into drugs and alcohol and even allow them to open up about their struggles and feelings with other members that are going through similar circumstances.
No matter which career option you take, you could potentially help people through some of the most difficult life situations. As a Mezzo Social Work professional, you can have the knowledge to address some of the most common and uncommon issues that can arise in every day life. In some cases, having knowledge of policy and law regarding social programs can help you translate a life crisis into the first step to a happier and healthier lifestyle. Our team of educational experts has provided a list of common careers for professionals below. Read more to see if you could see yourself in any of these positions.
- Community Advocate
- Support Group Leader
- Education Advocate
- Medical Social Worker