National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Introduction

According to the National Association of Social Workers (2016), as of 2016, its membership totals 132,000, making it the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. Prior to its establishment in 1955, many social workers identified themselves professionally by areas of specialized practice or practice settings, eventually forming separate organizations to promote and advance the specialized interests of its members. For example, organizations such as the American Association of Medical Social Workers (AAMSW) became home for social workers interested in and practicing in medical settings, while the American Association of Group Workers (AAGW) became the home of social workers interested in and practicing group work.

Prompted by the need to unify the profession and for an organizational structure to better utilize the resources of the profession to improve and strengthen social welfare programs, seven organizations (American Association of...