CQUniversity education students are getting ready to head back into classrooms for their internships in term four of the school year.

These students are seven weeks away from completing their Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching degree - a one year full-time or two years part-time pre-service teacher program.

The Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching students at their final residential school in Rockhampton. Head of Program Rickie Fisher is pictured in the middle of the group.During their internships, students will be required to plan and conduct half of their class lessons and observe and co-teach the remainder with their mentor teacher.

Head of Program Rickie Fisher said the degree was a condensed teaching program designed for students who already hold qualifying degrees and who want to become primary or secondary teachers.

CQUniversity's program includes three practical in-school placements and course assessment that is linked directly to the students' practical experience.

Mr Fisher said the program had been an intense process for students, but the rewards were near.

"This is not the end but the start of your journey," he told the 60 strong cohort at this week's residential school in Rockhampton.

He reminded the students that becoming a teacher involves being a lifelong learner.

This week was the final time the students would gather as a group before completing their studies.

Mr Fisher said two thirds of the students had studied the program externally and were located throughout Queensland and interstate.

Applications to apply to study the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching in 2011 are now open and will close at the end of November.

For more details contact CQUniversity on 13CQUni (132786).