The Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) provides graduates with the theoretical and practical skills required to work as a professional social worker. Social workers typically work with disadvantaged and marginalized individuals, groups, and communities within a social justice and human rights framework in counselling, advocacy, and the enhancement of health and well-being. Social workers address the barriers, inequality and injustices faced by many groups in our community.

The University of New England's social work program embraces a framework that examines the dynamic interaction of human behaviour, institutions and complex social interactions. Covering all the core requirements of an accredited professional social work degree, the MSW (Professional Qualifying) at UNE emphasizes practice in rural and complex community environments, and focuses on rights-based practice, mental health, Indigenous peoples, child protection and the law. The program incorporates the mandatory 1000 hours of professional fieldwork placement supervised by experienced practitioners in diverse social work settings locally and overseas.