"Lehramt" is a teaching degree programme that is regulated by the state and so awards the degree of Staatsexamen. This degree qualifies students for careers in teaching. After graduating with the 1st Staatsexamen, student teachers complete a longer period of professional in-school practice, the so-called "Referendariat". After this period, they sit exams to gain the 2nd Staatsexamen, which fully qualifies them for school teaching positions.