Macro Social Work Education and Practice Over 1980-2024 Through Multiple Lenses: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature

Over the past 40 years, conceptual and empirical scholarship on macro social work has grown, particularly as the social work profession has turned to macro practice to respond to crises of neoliberalism and increasing social development needs. Using a systematic literature review with a sequential mixed methods (quant→Qual) study design, we synthesize over four decades of empirical research (1980–2024) on master’s-level macro social work education, practice, and professional identity development. Our findings testify to the growth and diversity of macro practice from the perspective of social work educators, students, and alumni. Yet we find that this trend is accompanied by significant challenges in how macro practice is viewed and experienced. In response to the concerns raised, we identify strategic opportunities for needed change in macro social work education and practice.