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Mezzo social work: a comprehensive guide

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Published Sep. 20, 2021 Updated Apr. 17, 2023 Our editorial process

Social workers help people cope with problems in their everyday lives. These could be individual problems like a recent divorce or mental health struggles, or they could be systemic problems like racism or substandard educational programs. Because of the diversity within the field of social work, experts often divide social workers into 3 groups: micro, mezzo, and macro. As their name implies, micro social workers take a narrower, individual-level focus while macro social workers focus on broad social issues.

Mezzo social workers are in the space between micro and macro. They focus on how individuals function within small systems such as neighborhoods, schools, or other organizations.

The goal of a mezzo social worker is to understand how people function within their community.

Mezzo social work is distinct from micro and macro social work, yet many social workers move between these roles throughout their careers. For example, a micro social worker who provides clinical services to children through the foster care system may decide to develop a community program for foster children (mezzo) or perform advocacy work to increase funding to the foster care system (macro). Thus, it is most useful to think about the type of work you eventually want to do rather than focusing too much on the distinctions between micro, mezzo, and macro categorizations of social work.

What is mezzo social work?

Mezzo social work is working with people in the systems that they live, learn, work, and socialize in. It is based on an understanding that individuals act and respond differently in different situations and with different people. For example, a timid child who is being abused at home may tend towards destructive behavior at school. Similarly, a vivacious old man at a community center may feel lonely and depressed when alone in his own home.

Mezzo social work is about understanding how external factors can be used to improve the life of an individual, a family, or a community.

What does a mezzo social worker do?

Mezzo social workers often think about the world in terms of organizations or systems. Although a mezzo social worker may provide direct individual services, they are more likely to focus on social relationships between groups of people. For example, a mezzo social worker might develop interventions for at-risk youth in a vulnerable neighborhood, or recently incarcerated individuals seeking employment.

Mezzo social workers are trained to identify problems within communities and develop new solutions. They interact directly with groups of people they are trying to help. This might involve establishing a new service, developing a program, or conducting a campaign to raise awareness of a social resource.

Benefits of becoming a mezzo social worker

The most obvious benefit of becoming a mezzo social worker is the feeling of accomplishment that comes with making a positive difference to individuals and communities through your work. In addition, mezzo social work provides a deep insight into how everyday situations are uniquely experienced by individuals. This insight allows the social worker to be more creative as they tailor their interventions to meet the actual needs of clients.

Mezzo social workers are trained to identify problems within communities and develop new solutions.

Mezzo vs other types of social work

Social workers focus on empowering people and improving their functioning within communities and institutions. Because the field of social work is so broad, it can be difficult to pin down exactly what a social worker may do. Thinking of social work through the lens of 3 levels of intervention often helps to define the common career paths of social workers.

These 3 levels are micro, mezzo, and macro social workers.

Micro social workers focus on helping people in a one-on-one setting. Most often, this is clinical social work that may include assessment, psychotherapy, and adjustment to psychosocial issues. Micro social workers may also work with individuals or families to help them qualify for social services.
Mezzo social workers are a step away from the individual level. These social workers focus on small communities or organizations. This could be a business, a community or neighborhood, a nursing home, or a school. The goal of a mezzo social worker is to understand how people function within their community.
Macro social workers focus on societal systems and institutions. Rather than working directly with individuals or families, macro social workers conduct research, create social policy, or engage in advocacy work.

Mezzo social work examples

Mezzo social work is conducted in any setting that employs social workers. A clinical social worker in private practice may need to liaise with a parole board or family attorney on behalf of their client: moving their work from micro to mezzo social work.

The work of mezzo social workers can also involve, for example, establishing and providing after-school programs for at-risk children, or engaging local governments to establish community living projects for older people. This type of social work involves working with both individuals and the people and organizations that impact the lives of those individuals.

Education requirements for mezzo social workers

Bachelor’s of social work (BSW)

To be a social worker, you must earn at least a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s in social work (BSW) and bachelor of arts in social work (BASW) both prepare students to practice as social workers. In general, the goal of a BSW is to help students gain an understanding of major social problems, their causes, and possible solutions. The degree may include hands-on experience such as a practicum.

Most bachelor’s degree programs prepare you for entry-level work at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. For example, you might assist a master’s level social worker in developing a new community program or work as a generalist serving older adults at a senior center.

Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in social work are not eligible to provide clinical services such as psychotherapy. You may also be limited in the complexity of work you can do as well as your ability to work independently. Regulations about licensure for individuals with a bachelor’s degree vary by state.

Master’s of social work (MSW)

Some mezzo social workers pursue a master’s of social work. There are many master’s degree programs, each of which may have specific tracks to focus on micro, mezzo, or macro work. Some mezzo social workers get a master’s degree with a clinical concentration, while others do not. Clinical social work programs typically include regular graduate coursework as well as practicum experiences to learn how to provide psychotherapy.

To become a licensed social worker, it is important to complete an accredited MSW program. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) determines whether a program meets accreditation criteria. MSW programs may be offered in person, online, or in a hybrid format.

Social work licensing and certification options

There are 4 main types of social worker licenses. However, details vary by state, making it important for you to understand the requirements for your own jurisdiction. The 4 typical levels of licensure include:

Licensed bachelor social worker (LBSW)

To earn an LBSW license, you need to have successfully completed an accredited bachelor’s degree program in social work. Most states require bachelor’s-level social workers to complete at least 2 years of full-time post-graduate experience under the supervision of a licensed master-level social worker. You need to also pass the ASWB bachelor’s exam.

Licensed master social worker (LMSW)

The first step to an LMSW license is to complete an accredited master’s degree in social work program and to then pass the LMSW exam. Typically, post-degree experience is not required.

Advanced generalist

An advanced generalist license indicates that someone has more extensive training than an LMSW. To earn an advanced generalist license, first complete an accredited master’s degree or doctoral program in social work. After your degree program, complete 2 years of relevant experience under the supervision of a licensed master’s- or doctoral-level social worker. You must also pass the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam.

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)

To be eligible for an LCSW license, you need to have graduated from an accredited master’s degree in clinical social work program. This program typically incorporates some training in clinical practice. After obtaining 2 years of direct clinical service supervised by an LCSW, you are required to pass the ASWB clinical exam.

Mezzo social workers can do their work with a license from any of these tracks. Some mezzo social workers earn a degree in clinical social work and provide some clinical services to clients. Others focus on generalist skills and do not engage in direct clinical care.

Types of mezzo social work jobs

Healthcare Social Workers

Hospital or healthcare social workers are often known as medical social workers. The majority of medical social workers have a master’s degree in social work, with most holding an LCSW license to provide clinical services. At the mezzo level, medical social workers may engage in some direct clinical practice. However, their talents may be used in a slightly different way, for example to focus on groups of people or family systems. Healthcare social workers are employed by hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare agencies.

Tasks and duties:

Investigate cases of child or elder abuse, making mandated reports as needed. Mezzo social workers may also implement programs to raise awareness about abuse and neglect.
Work with patients and family members to improve access to community resources relevant to their personal health.
Plan and coordinate patient care or rehabilitation services, including assessing the effectiveness of current processes.
Create new programs to address social programs affecting patients or families, including substance abuse, mental illness, or trauma.
Develop support groups to help patients and family members navigate medical transitions or improve their quality of life.

Projected growth (2020-2030) 13.2%

Wage estimates

$37,630 10%

$47,630 25%

$60,840 Median

$76,920 75%

$86,820 90%

Community Health Workers

Community health workers focus on improving the health of small groups or communities of people. Many community health workers hold a bachelor’s degree in social work, making this a good entry level position for social workers who do not wish to earn a master’s degree. Community health workers need to understand the cultural and community norms of the people they serve, making this a career option suitable for mezzo social workers.

Tasks and duties:

Advise clients or groups on ways to improve overall health, including implementing diet or exercise programs
Identify members of high-risk groups, such as racial or ethnic minority individuals, pregnant women, intravenous drug users, or low-income individuals
Long term communication with clients by phone, online, or through written materials to help them follow through with health recommendations
Develop informational or educational materials to help members of targeted communities achieve healthier lifestyles
Attend health fairs and community events to build relationships with key stakeholders in the community

Projected growth (2020-2030) 15.2%

Wage estimates

$46,550 10%

$58,490 25%

$74,000 Median

$93,950 75%

$118,650 90%

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Some mezzo social workers specialize in mental health or substance abuse issues. While they may provide direct clinical services to affected individuals, mezzo social workers in these areas more often create community programs for prevention or risk reduction. Most mental health and substance abuse social workers have a master’s degree in social work or post-master’s certification.

Tasks and duties:

Develop programs designed to prevent substance abuse or mental health issues
Help family members of people affected by mental illness or substance abuse as they support their loved one
Identify community resources for treatment or housing and connect vulnerable communities with these resources
Act as part of an interdisciplinary team to communicate with physicians, nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other care providers
Develop risk reduction programs (e.g., needle exchange programs) to reduce harm associated with substance abuse

Projected growth (2020-2030) 14.9%

Wage estimates

$31,010 10%

$38,630 25%

$49,130 Median

$69,260 75%

$97,300 90%

Skills and traits needed to succeed in mezzo social work

Mezzo social workers interact directly with people. Though they may or may not provide direct clinical services, they need to be understanding and responsive to people’s needs. The following are some traits that make for a successful mezzo social worker:

critical thinking skills
interpersonal skills
dependability
results-oriented personality
personal integrity
independence
cooperative nature

Why choose mezzo social work

Mezzo social workers work in a number of settings. At times, their work may more closely resemble that of a micro social worker, while at other times they may view problems through a macro lens. This is social work where you can identify a problem at the individual level, and then use yours skills and knowledge to create or uncover solutions that can benefit many people. It is the best of both social work worlds.