CQUniversity graduate Tina Doe had thoughts of both the past and the future recently as she became one of the first students from the University's Noosa campus to be awarded a doctoral degree.

Dr Doe dedicated her achievement to her son Kial, who passed away 10 years ago following a battle with leukaemia, and said she was now ready for her next big challenge.

Proud of her achievements, Dr Tina Doe looks over her thesis

"I'm honoured to be one of the first doctoral graduates from the Noosa campus and I know Kial would be proud of what I've achieved as well," the Peregian Beach resident said during a ceremony at the Nambour Civic Centre.

"It's been five years of really tough work and I'm excited and relieved to have finished, but I couldn't have done it without the support of my family, my supervisor and everyone else who has helped me along the way.

"Now I've got another project to start. Before he passed away, Kial asked me to write a book about his life and I'm going to honour that promise."

Dr Doe and fellow Education doctoral graduate Greg Wilson joined 86 other finishers from 16 different programs from CQUniversity Noosa's two faculties, Arts, Business, Informatics and Education, and Science, Engineering and Health.

CQUniversity Noosa's Head Professor Kevin Tickle said the campus also marked the beginning of a new era.

"The awarding of these degrees represents another important milestone for our campus," Professor Tickle said.

"This is a significant achievement that embodies our commitment to developing a reputation as a strong research hub for the Noosa region.

"We're very proud of our new doctoral graduates and would like to acknowledge the hard work they've put in to get here today, as well as the incredible support provided by their supervisor, John Dekkers."

Professor Tickle said the campus expected to see several more students receive their doctorates at next year's graduation.

"We will have up to five more awarded doctorates next year, while another four will complete in the following couple of years," Professor Tickle said.

"There are also a number of applicants expected to start their programs soon, so the campus is certainly going from strength to strength in terms of higher level research."

Dr Doe's thesis looked at the importance of structured professional development programs for teachers.

"Teachers are required to undertake 30 hours of professional learning every year to maintain their registration," Dr Doe said.

"In the past there has been a very ad hoc approach to how teachers use this time and what they learn.

"What my research discovered is that a consistent, continuous and coordinated learning plan focused on change over time leads to personal and professional growth, and benefits in and out of the classroom."

Dr Doe is currently helping schools across the state implement her professional learning strategies.