The Micro Pipeline in Social Work

1 CE Credit — General

This course explores the “micro pipeline in social work”, a framework for how education, licensure, and job market incentives systematically funnel social workers into clinical practice while overlooking macro roles and leaving them lacking visibility and legitimacy. 
Target Audience: Social workers and mental health professionals
Course Format: 1-hour, recorded asynchronous distance course
Content Level: Beginner
Date updated: 7/18/2026

Course Learning Objectives

Define the "micro pipeline in social work”
Describe the systemic factors that contribute to the "micro pipeline" and the imbalance between clinical and macro social work practice
Summarize survey findings on social workers' interest in and access to macro practice roles

About the Instructor

About the Instructor

Patrick Taylor, LCSW

Instructor Name Here

Patrick Taylor, LCSW, DSW(c), is a macro social worker, Air Force veteran, and founder of Macro Pathways, an organization dedicated to macro social work career navigation and field-building. He is a doctoral candidate at USC's Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and an emerging voice in the movement to expand the profession beyond the Micro Pipeline in Social Work™ (MPISW), the systemic tendency to funnel social workers primarily and disproportionately into client-centered and interpersonal service roles, leaving macro practice underrepresented and underutilized. His work centers on helping social workers discover, pursue, and thrive in systems-level practice.

Ways to Listen to the Episode

Tune in to the full podcast episode on your favorite platform (or listen inside the course), then return to this site to complete the post-test and evaluation to earn your CE credit.
Social Work to Wealth, 2807, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 4/14/26 - 4/14/27. Social workers completing this course receive 1 general education credit.

This course is NOT eligible for NBCC CE credit. 

Additional Course Information

Agenda (60 Minutes)

0:00–1:00 Instruction (60 minutes, uninterrupted)

Total CE Credit: 1 hour of content; breaks are not included.

Delivery Method & System Requirements

This course is delivered as an asynchronous, non-interactive recorded audio program. Learners will need a stable internet connection, an audio-capable device, and an updated web browser compatible with LearnWorlds.

Completion Requirements

To receive CE credit, learners must:

  • Complete the full audio course
  • Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the posttest. You may take the posttest up to three times.
  • Complete the course evaluation form

Certificate Issuance

Certificates are available to be downloaded from the learning platform immediately upon successful completion of both the posttest and the course evaluation.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The presenter reports no conflicts of interest and no commercial support influenced the content of this course.

Accessibility & Support

To request accommodations under the ADA or for support, please contact: 
info@socialworktowealth.com
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