A M.S.W. is a professional degree that also trains individuals to work with a varied client group, similar to clinical psychologists and Psy. The field of social work has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. Most M.S.W.s are professional therapists and many have private practices. In the past, social workers tended to focus on the social forces that contributed to a client's difficulties in addition to examining an individual's internal conflicts. Now, however, there is often more overlap than difference between the clinical approaches of a M.S.W. therapist and most clinical psychologists.
Social workers do, however, tend to become more involved in the everyday lives of their clients.
They are more likely to visit clients at their homes, schools, or workplace and their roles tend to be active. They may work more closely with their clients than the typical clinical psychologist, who would see most clients in an office or other formal setting. M.S.W. programs are two-year programs that include extensive internships as part of their graduate training. Social workers are licensed in many states and all are eligible to request licensing through the National Association of Social Workers. Individuals with D.S.W. degrees may teach and do research in social work graduate programs.