what to write under education on resume

How to List Education on a Resume in 2024 (With Examples & Tips)

Not sure what degree to list? If you should include a GPA? It just so happens that there's a variety of ways to effectively list your eduction.

The education section of a resume may not always be the star of the document but knowing how to properly list your education can be essential for advancing into the next phase of the hiring process.

In this guide, we will cover all the ins and outs of crafting an education section for your resume. 

We'll cover the following:

• What to Include in an Education Section?

Tips for Listing Degrees (College, High-School, GED)

Listing incomplete education.

• Where to Include Education on a Resume?

What Employers Look for in an Education Section

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job.

What to Include in an Education Section

As we've covered, different formats of resumes may require different information to be included within an education section.

In general, there is some basic information that should be included within the education section of a resume:

• The name of the school — "e.g. Georgia Institute of Technology"
• The location of the school
• Your degree ( high-school diploma, GED, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, etc. )
• Graduation year ( if applicable )
• Major field or department of study (if applicable )
• Minor field or department of study (if applicable and relevant )
• GPA ( If you're a student or graduates who held lower GPAs, this bit of information may be good to omit unless specifically requested by the employer )

Here's what that looks like for and university grad:

Georgia Institute of Technology • Atlanta, GA B.S. in Computer Engineering, 2006 - 2010 GPA: 3.9/4.0

For high-school students, you can do something like the following:

Georgia Institute of Technology • Atlanta, GA High School Diploma, Graduated in 2010 GPA: 3.9/4.0

Remember, including a GPA  is optional. Only add it if it's required by the job listing or it's relatively high. If your GPA is low (under 3.5), it's better to just leave it out.

Listing Education with Limited Work Experience

In resumes that have limited or no work experience , as may be the case with college students or recent graduates, the education section may be a good opportunity to show off educational achievements instead.

Additional information that can be included in longer education sections can include:

• Internships completed as part of a curriculum 
• Academic awards or sponsorships
• Relevant coursework
• Academic assistantships with professors or other academic professionals

As covered, in documents such as CVs the education section could be fairly lengthy.

However, the education section for most resumes will be one of the shortest sections.

This is mostly because standard resumes will be used for entry-level or mid-level positions, while longer-form resumes like the CV will only come into play for more prestigious or hard to obtain positions. 

It is much more important to show either a robust work history or detail relevant and transferable skills, using your education as support rather than the main point of interest. 

Here are some quick tips for deciding what educational information to include in a resume:

1) When including professional hobbies and extra curricular activities, it is important to keep relevance in mind

Incorrect: Do not include information about sports clubs or other clubs that cannot be connected back to your qualifications for a job.

Correct: If you held leadership positions in clubs or other extra-curricular activities, this can be useful information to include to highlight non-paid leadership or management experience.

Keep your descriptions simple and concise

Incorrect: Including long-winded and wordy paragraphs explaining the relevance of a certain piece of information. If a piece of information is relevant, it should be easily explained in one, simple sentence.

Correct: Use bullet points to separate bits of information to keep your resume easy to read or skim.

The readability of a resume can be the defining factor of whether or not a job recruiter or potential employer moves the candidate into the next phase of the hiring process.

As such, using clear and concise wording and formatting is essential for not just the education section, but for all sections. 

Here are a few tips for different formatting options depending on the level and type of education you have completed.

1) Adding High School and GED on Resume

• If your highest level of education is a high school diploma or a GED, this should still be included as there are many jobs that are open to high school graduates as well as college graduates.
• Generally, this type of education section should be kept short and sweet. Listing that you have received either a diploma or a GED should be sufficient.
• If you have recently graduated high school or received your GED, including additional high school-related achievements may be beneficial (such as leadership positions, honor roll awards, athletics, etc.)

2) Adding Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees on Resume

• When listing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree on a resume, always include the name and location of the institution, as well as the date or expected date of graduation.
• While the education section should still be kept short, inclusion of any collegiate level academic achievements, such as honor societies or dean’s lists, can be useful to include.
• Don’t go too crazy including coursework of extracurricular information – stick to including the most relevant information. 

3) Adding Graduate School or Doctoral Programs on Resume

• Graduate and doctoral students may feel inclined to always include this information; however, it is important to be wary of including too much academic information in scenarios where it may render you overqualified for the position.
• Graduate and doctoral information is more likely to come into play for candidates seeking higher level positions at the management level. 
• For candidates seeking jobs in academic or scientific fields, a CV-style resume and longer-form education section providing higher level of details regarding graduate or doctoral programs may be necessary.

4) Adding Certifications on Resume

• In some cases, a candidate may not have attended college but may have completed a trade school or other program that resulted in various certifications. These certifications should be included when relevant.
• Certifications such as CPR or First Aid can be useful to include in most resumes, although they should perhaps be saved for a separate certifications section .

5) Listing Incomplete Education on Resume

Incomplete education can be tricky to include in a way that sounds positive — as such, if you have incomplete education, be wary of your wording and avoid words such as “incomplete” or “unfinished.” Instead try to do the following:

• Include relevant coursework or credits earned during your duration of education before the point of departure from the institution.
• Omit any wordy or lengthy explanations of why the education is incomplete. 

However, we've seen this be a common problem that many candidates have. Continue reading below to see how to effectively list education that is left incomplete. ‍

In some cases, a job applicant may have a partially-complete or incomplete educational credential they want to list on their resume.

Incomplete education can result from a variety of circumstances, including:

• A person who is still in the process of earning their diploma, GED, or degree, but has not yet earned the credential or graduated.
• A person who started a degree and completed relevant coursework, but ultimately did not finish the degree program.
• A person who chose a different career path than what they studied for, but still has relevant coursework for the new career path.

When listing incomplete education on a resume, it is important to stay highly mindful of how you are wording your limited educational credentials — as words such as “ unfinished ” or “ incomplete ” are not ideal to include within a resume. 

Here are some quick examples on how to properly list incomplete education in the education section of a resume:

For applicants who are in the process of completing a degree, it is important to note the expected timeframe of completion.

Incorrect: ‍ B.S. in Communications University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Not yet complete

Correct: B.S. in Communications University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Expected graduation May 2021

For applicants who began a degree, but ultimately did not complete the degree, it is key to be mindful of how you frame the education you did receive. 

Incorrect: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC

Why is this incorrect? Sure, this example indicates you, at some point, attended a university.

However, it provides no insight as to what relevant coursework or studies you may have completed.

Here's the correct way to describe your educational experience instead:

Correct: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC Completed 20 credits towards a BS in Communications

Alternatively: This could be a good opportunity to include a bulleted list of relevant coursework.

For applicants who did not complete high school, it is important to note if you either earned a GED or are in the process of earning a GED.

Incorrect: ‍ Watauga County High School Boone, NC Incomplete

Correct: General Educational Development Diploma Earned May 2021 — OR — Expected to earn May 2021

Generally speaking, the majority of jobs will require applicants to have earned at minimum a GED certification in order to qualify.

In some cases, an applicant may lack a degree but may be certified by a trade school.

For instance, a beautician would want to include any beauty and health related certifications or licenses earned under the education section. 

Take a look at this resume example of a college student below to see how to do this.

Where to Include Education on a Resume

When it comes to placing your educational credentials on a resume, there are many considerations to make.

Resumes can serve a variety of purposes and, as a general rule of thumb, should be tailored for specific jobs . 

It is also important to take into consideration the level of education you have completed, as this will impact how it should be presented as well.

For instance, a job applicant seeking a position in academia would have a much heavier emphasis on education and academic-related achievements — than someone seeking a job in a corporate environment.

Ultimately, not all resumes are the same, so the placement of the education section will differ depending on the type of resume being used and the intention behind its structuring. 

Choosing the right resume format

There are several different types of resume formats to choose from, but the main ones that are used are as follows:

1) Reverse-Chronological

‍ Emphasis is placed on the most relevant work experience, listing jobs from most recent to oldest. Education can be placed before or after the work experience section. However higher degrees that qualify a candidate for the position may be beneficial to mention sooner rather than later. 

2) Functional

‍ Functional resumes place a much heavier emphasis on skillsets and areas of expertise. This format of resume is typically used by job applicants lacking the relevant work experience or educational credentials. In this format, the education section may lead if the applicant has educational credentials but limited work experience but should follow after the skills section if education is limited. 

‍ Hybrid resumes combine the reverse-chronological work experience ordering with the emphasizing of skills. This can help to supplement resumes of applicants who may have some relevant work experience but still need to beef up their resumes with a skills section . The placement of the education section will depend on how applicable or high level the credentials are and should generally be kept brief. 

4) Curriculum Vitae (CV)

‍ CVs are a type of long-form and multi-page resume used most commonly by applicants seeking positions in either academic or scientific fields. In a CV, the education section will be a prominent component and should appear early in the document. This type of education section should include all credentials, published works, projects, awards, or other academic achievements — no details should be spared. 

The below example of a Physician Assistant's resume is listing education in the bottom-right corner as it's using a reverse-chronological resume format to shine on it's work history.

Employers can gather a variety of information about a job candidate from an education section, including:

• A job applicant’s work ethic, reflected through GPAs or other grade-related information
• Relevant skills or training an applicant has received through their schooling
• Name recognition of specific universities, such as ivy leagues, that may give a candidate a leg up on the competition
• Insight into a candidate’s interests or talents based on academic-related extracurricular activities included 

Understanding what employers are looking for in an education section included on a resume is key to understand how much or how little information to include.

What an employer is looking for will vary depending on the nature of the job being offered. 

For instance, an entry-level communications job at a corporation is likely to require a bachelor’s degree in communications or a related field.

Comparatively, a job in the welding industry may require the completion of a trade school program but not require a four-year degree. 

It is of the utmost importance when you are applying to various jobs that you read the job descriptions provided carefully, as this is where you will find the necessary information regarding what educational credentials are required of eligible candidates.

This will also help you to tailor your education section according to what credentials or qualifications you have that meet the requirements of the job. 

In general, what an employer is mostly looking for is simply that an education section exists on a resume.

The majority of employers will want candidates who have shown a commitment to their education, reflected through the inclusion of an education section.

For candidates lacking a completed education, it is still considered best practice to include some information regarding what level of education was reached before the point of incompletion, as well as the inclusion of any relevant coursework and knowledge gained from the time the candidate spent pursuing further education. 

Here is a quick rundown of a few key factors to consider for applicants who may be unsure how much information to provide in an education section for a specific employer or position:

• The education section should prove that you have the credentials necessary to complete the job at hand.
• Oversharing of education can be detrimental in some situations, as overqualified candidates may not be considered by employers.
• Job descriptions will always be the best place to look for indicators regarding how much educational background information an employer is looking for.
• Never lie or over-exaggerate — while not all employers double-check applicants’ educational histories, many still do, and dishonesty can cost you the position in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Unless you are crafting a longer-form resume, such as a CV, the education section will generally be a fairly short summary of your academic credentials and achievements.

Education sections can be longer in some cases where job applicants may have hefty academic backgrounds but limited work experience.

Ultimately, the key to making a strong education section is to include only the most relevant information.

Always avoid deceptive wording, as employers can fairly easily run academic background checks if need be. 

Check out our resume templates to get your creativity flowing and get started on your ideal resume today. 

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How to List Education on Your Resume (with Examples)

10 min read · Updated on March 27, 2024

Use your education to show you have the knowledge to land the job

Your education is an essential detail to include on your resume, as it indicates that you're trained in your field. Even if your formal education isn't directly related to your current career path (perhaps you made a career change, for instance), it's still worthwhile to show that you succeeded in a high-level learning environment.

As with much of resume writing, the content and format of your resume Education section is fluid and will depend on where you are in your career. Still, it's important that you get it right to prove you're qualified for the job you want.

In this article, you'll learn how to list education on your resume and see examples that you can use for inspiration as you craft your own. 

What to include under Education on a resume

It sounds simple – you list the degrees you've obtained and the schools where you got them. 

But, wait! There's more.

In some instances, it may be appropriate to include your GPA, some relevant coursework, or even give a nod to some major project you worked on. Much of this depends on whether you're fresh out of school or have some experience under your belt. 

Here are some other things to consider when writing the Education section of your resume:

Does your education section go at the top or bottom of your resume?

Do you include a degree if you're still working on it?

Does high school belong on my resume?

Let's start with the basics.

1. Degree earned

When you finally graduated and received your diploma, what did it say? For example, you may have achieved a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Whatever it was, it's the most important education detail you can put on your resume, because it's the official evidence of your education.

One of the most important things to remember is that you should list your degrees in reverse chronological order. That means you start with the most recent one (which is likely to be your highest) and work backward. Also, once you get into college there is no reason to add high school. Employers know that you have to finish high school to get into college, so they'll assume you graduated. 

Remember that one degree type can be applied to a variety of fields of study. For example, a Bachelor of Science degree can be earned for both physics and computer science. Therefore, in addition to the degree itself, you must include the major for which the degree was earned. This way, a hiring manager knows exactly what topics you've studied.

If you completed any minors or concentrations, you can include those too.

3. University, college, or institution

Add some context to your education by listing the university, college, or institution where you went to school. This is especially important if you attended a well-respected program in your field, because it will make you seem all the more impressive.

4. Years attended

The timeframe that you were in school is generally something you don't need to worry about including unless you're still in school or graduated within the last year. Additionally, you might add the dates you were in school if you need to take care of a gap in employment. Outside of these conditions, you should leave off the timeframe you were in school.

Whether or not you include your GPA in the Education section of a resume depends on many factors. If you earned your degree 20 years ago, your GPA is likely a defunct measure of your current abilities. If you earned your degree recently, however, adding your GPA can be a great move – but only if it's 3.5 or higher. You can also indicate any distinctions you earned based on your grades, such as summa cum laude , if applicable.

6. Extracurricular activities

If you were in an honors society, you can list your membership. If you were part of a fraternity or sorority, it's a toss-up. While you might think this is a good inclusion because it demonstrates you were participating in service-related activities or so on, Greek rivalries can extend way past college years and you wouldn't want to accidentally tip off your hiring manager that you belonged to a rival group.

7. Certifications 

Outside of formal education, you may also have taken the initiative to earn supplementary certifications or complete online courses that are relevant to your field. Highlight these in your resume Education section, especially if they are on niche or high-level topics that prove your expertise far beyond a more generalized curriculum.

Here's an example of what all that looks like:

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Business Administration | ABC University | 2021-2024

Dean's list - summa cum laude

President - Marketing Club

Certifications:

Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute

Conditions to consider, aside from the basics

Some of those basics may be optional - as we mentioned, you wouldn't include the dates of your degree program if you've been out of school for more than a year. When you begin to craft the Education section of your resume, there are other things to consider as well.

You completed high school

Attending college may not be among the goals you've set for your life. That's okay!

If you decide to graduate high school and go straight to work, your career can still be rich and full. At this point, though, a lot of people ask if they should include high school on their resume. 

A few rules of thumb about adding high school to the Education section of your resume:

Exclude high school altogether if you go to college

Exclude high school if you've attended trade school

Include high school if you have no additional education, professional development, or certifications

Include high school if the job description specifically mentions that you need a high school diploma

Include high school if you're applying for a job while still in high school

This is what the Education section of your resume would look like if all you have to put in it is high school:

Diploma or GED [whichever is appropriate] | DEF High School

Graduated: 2023

Relevant courses: Accounting, Business Law, and Ethics

Just because high school is the highest education you've obtained, doesn't mean you can't take the opportunity to inject some relevant keywords into your resume. 

PRO TIP: Check out our article on tailoring your resume to different jobs to understand how important relevant keywords are when writing your resume.

You have an undergrad degree

Once you graduate from college and start searching for your first entry-level position, it's assumed that you'll remove any information that refers to your high school activities and focus on your new undergrad degree.

Go back to the basics to build your Education section when you earn your Bachelor's degree. 

Include your degree and major

Add the name of the school where you obtained the degree

Throw in some extras, like achievements, coursework, and affiliations

The last point – about adding extras – is extremely important if you have little to no work experience . Adding that you were a Resident Advisor or won first place in a robotics competition could be the thing that puts your resume at the top of the yes pile. 

You have an advanced degree

Once you enter the world of Master's degrees and PhDs the Education section of your resume becomes more robust and might include things like the title of a dissertation, fellowships or internships. 

As before, always start with your highest degree and work backward. Here's an example of an Education section with advanced degrees:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Leadership Studies | CCC University 

International Student Scholar

Dissertation: Exploring the Relationships of Principal Preparation Programs and Leadership Styles on School Accountability Indices

Master of Arts (MA) – Counseling | BBB University 

Bachelor of Science – Psychology (cum laude) | University of AAA

You started college at one place but finished somewhere else

If you attended college at one institution – perhaps a community college – and then completed your education in another place, you only need to list the university where you completed your degree. All the employer wants to know is which college supplied you with your degree at the end of your education; they don't necessarily care or need to know how you arrived at this place. Save that resume space for more important information.

You didn't attend or finish college

If you attended college but didn't graduate, you may want to list the relevant courses you took, especially if you made it to some of the higher-level classes, to demonstrate the skills you built or the disciplines you were exposed to during your coursework.

You're still pursuing a college degree (undergrad or grad program)

If you're still attending college for either your undergraduate or graduate degree, you can simply add an expected graduation year to this information. You can add a list of a few courses you've completed if 

They're higher-level courses that are relevant to your job goals

You don't have a lot of relevant work experience to market on your resume.

You earned your degree more than 5 years ago

If you earned a degree or certification more than 5 years ago, place your Education at the bottom of your resume and remove the graduation date. It's important to demonstrate you've earned the degree, but there's no need to draw attention to how long ago this occurred.

Doing so will allow you to focus your resume on your skills, accomplishments , and professional history. For those who have many years of professional experience, education becomes less important because you should be moving forward in your career.

Where does the Education section of your resume go?

If you're new to the workforce and your new degree is your best selling point, the Education section should appear toward the top of your resume , because 

You most likely have limited professional experience to list on your resume

Your education is the core competency that you wish to highlight for an employer

After you have a few years of relevant experience under your belt, the education section gets shifted to the bottom of your resume, and your work history will get pushed farther up on the page.

Key takeaways

Presenting your education on your resume in a thoughtful way will open a lot of employment doors. Here's what you should keep in mind as you write the Education section of your resume:

You list education on your resume in a certain way based on what stage of your career you're at

The main components of your Education section are degree, major, school, years attended, and certifications

Tailor your Education section based on keywords and qualifications mentioned in the job description

Be honest about ongoing education or degrees you've decided not to complete

Your Education section is fluid

Remember, there isn't one resume format that fits all job seekers. Be strategic when placing your Education information by considering where you are in your career and how it will help you to land the jobs you're after. 

Find out if you are showcasing your education on your resume - get a free resume review from TopResume.

This article was updated in December 2023. It contains work by Amanda Augustine and Lauren Settembrino  and Heather Rothbauer-Wanish .

Recommended reading:

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How To Speed Up the Resume-Writing Process

The Most Essential Trait You Need to Land Any Job

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What to Include in Your Education Section

The education section on a resume gives hiring managers a glimpse into your academic achievements , interests, and skills.

It can demonstrate your commitment to learning, your ability to succeed in a structured environment, and the relevant knowledge you've acquired.

The information you should include in this section, though, varies based on things like your career level, the exact job you're applying for, and how recent your education is.

This means you don’t always have to be super detailed. Some of the information about your education is optional, and some of it may even be redundant if you have relevant work experience, so you should only use it if you think it can give your resume a boost.

Let’s start with the details most employers expect to see:

Essential Information

• Degree Name. Include the type of degree and the relevant major. (E.g.: BFA in Graphic Design)
• University Name. Add the name of the institution you studied at. (E.g.: University of Saint Andrews)
• Location. If the university isn’t well known or the name doesn’t specify where it is, include the general location. (E.g.: St Andrews, Scotland)
• Years Attended. Usually, only the years you attend there are enough, but the mm/yyyy format is also popular. (E.g.: 09/2018 - 06/2021)

Optional Information

• Honors and Awards. If you’ve received any acknowledgments, list them here. (E.g.: Dean's List, Summa Cum Laude, Merit Scholarships, Valedictorian)
• Relevant Coursework. List three to five courses that directly apply to your target job. (E.g.: Marketing 101, Marketing Strategy, PR Basics)
• Thesis or Dissertation. We recommend including this for graduate-level degrees in research-heavy fields.
• Minor. If relevant, include any additional areas of study. (E.g.: BA in Creative Writing, Minor in Journalism)
• Grade Point Average. Only include your GPA if it's 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale. Anything lower can undermine your application.
• Extracurricular Activities. Mention any clubs or organizations that seem relevant. (E.g.: Debate team, Theater Club, School Newspaper)

Here’s an example of an education section that includes information from both categories:

Getting ready to find a job? Start by learning how to write a resume with our detailed guide!

How to Format Education on Your Resume

Now that you have an idea of what to include in your education section, let’s explain how you should do it.

In terms of structuring your education section, follow a reverse-chronological order ; this means, list your latest educational entry first and then go backward from there.

And remember – if you have a relevant university degree, there’s no need to waste precious space on your resume by listing your high school education .

As a general rule, if you’re an experienced professional and you have a Master’s degree, you can also omit your undergrad degree. Hiring managers are a lot more interested in your work experience section, so your education section should only focus on the basics.

However, if you’re a recent graduate , you might want to include more details to give your resume an extra kick. It’s always a good idea to leverage your education if you don’t have enough relevant work experience.

Now, regardless of your level of experience, add the name of your degree at the very top of the entry in your education section.

The same degree can be written down differently, for instance:

• Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Culture with a Minor in Teaching
• BA in English Language and Culture, Minor in Teaching
• B.A. English Language and Culture (Major), Teaching (Minor)
• BA, English Language and Culture

Here’s an example of what the formatting in your education section should look like:

If you graduated from a famous university with a good reputation, you can highlight that first. For example, list “Harvard University” before the name of your degree.

Where to Place Education on Your Resume

Another important thing to consider is where to position the education section on your resume.

This mostly depends on where you are in your career. Do you have a lot of relevant achievements in the field, or are you looking for your first job ?

As a rule of thumb, the top third of your resume should be reserved for your accomplishments , which are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

So before you place this section on your resume, ask yourself: is your education your biggest selling point to the hiring manager?

Most of the time, it won’t be. Work experience is way more important for just about any position above entry level, so it should be listed first.

Let’s look at an example of a resume that puts this into action:

As you can see, this architect resume starts by listing their relevant work experience and then includes a detailed entry of their most recent degree.

When Does Education Go Before Work Experience?

While your work experience section is generally more important, there are a few cases where you should list your education first.

These include:

• You have no work experience. When you have absolutely no work experience yet, you should focus on your academic achievements instead.
• You just graduated college. If you don’t have relevant work experience, you’re often better off not listing it. For example, if you’re applying for an entry-level office job, the part-time teenage jobs you had won’t be anywhere near as relevant as your recently earned BA in Marketing.
• You are currently studying. If you’re in the process of earning a degree that’s relevant to your targeted field, it’s better to list education before work experience. For example, if you’re making a career change , you would want your new education to be the first thing the hiring manager sees.
• You recently earned a new degree. Getting a fresh MSc, Ph.D., or MBA in your field is worth showing off. For example, if you’ve been a line manager for years but earned an MBA to qualify for an executive position, your education section should go first.
• You are applying to academia. Usually, when applying for a research or teaching position in academia, you’ll need an academic CV , not a resume. In that case, your education will always come first.

Not sure if you need a CV or a resume ? Check out our guide to learn what the difference between the two is and when to use which.

Use a (Free) Resume Template

Creating a resume can be a hassle.

You have to find a template that works with your favorite text editor, set the page margins, adjust the line spacing, choose a professional font , and all while making sure you never go past page one.

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16 Examples of Education on a Resume

Looking for inspiration?

We’ve compiled a list filled with real-life examples of how education can be listed on a resume, with practical examples for different types and levels of education:

#1. High School Education

If you’re a high school student, you might have some volunteer experience or extracurriculars you can show off. In that case, you can start by listing those sections, so long as they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for.

For example, if you volunteered with your local branch of the Red Cross, that’s a good experience to have when you’re applying to work at a shelter.

In most other cases, the education section would take the upper hand, and it would look something like this:

High School Diploma

Chapel Hill High School

2017 - 2021

• Courses: AP Science, Mathematics, Advanced Chemistry

If you’re still in high school, you can disclose it in your resume by writing down your expected graduation year or otherwise specifying that you’re currently still there.

2021 - Present

#2. General Education Development

If you were homeschooled or haven’t graduated high school, the previous example won’t apply to you.

But if you still received a General Education Development certificate, you can mention that in your resume in the following way:

GED Diploma

Durham Literacy Center

Just like with high school education, you can include the location of your school or GED center, as well as any relevant courses, if you have enough space.

#3. Associate Degree

If you went to a community college or opted for a vocational program, you can list it in your education section the same as any other undergraduate degree.

Associate degrees are typically cheaper and take less time than a bachelor’s degree. They tend to be focused on specific occupations and place more emphasis on daily job functions. Other than that, they follow the same formatting as any other educational entry.

Let’s look at some real-life examples of different types of degrees at this level.

First, an Associate of Arts degree:

AA in Business Designation

Community College of Denver

2015 - 2016

Summa Cum Laude

Next, here’s how you would list an ongoing Associate’s of Applied Science degree:

AAS in Medical Assisting

2018 - Present

Some associate degrees are what’s known as “transfer degrees.” Here, the long-term goal is to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.

Similarly, if you’ve completed accredited courses at a community college that can go towards a degree, you can list them under your education section, like this:

Medical Assisting Certificate

• 30 credits completed

#4. Certificates

Certificates can be included on your resume, either as part of the education section or in a dedicated section.

Unlike broad academic degrees, certificates can show specialized expertise and commitment to professional development. They tend to demonstrate more focused, essential skills that are directly applicable to a particular job or industry.

Treat these entries the same as any other: list the name of the certificate, the institution or organization that issued it, and the year you obtained it.

Here’s an example of how to list a professional certificate in an education section:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

American Institute of CPAs

And here’s how they would look in a separate section:

CERTIFICATES

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) - National Academy of Sports Medicine, 2020
• Certified Nutrition Coach - American Nutrition Association, 2023

But there are also other certificates you could list , such as after specialized software courses:

• Maya Autodesk: Advanced 3D & Animation Udemy, 2022
• Creation of Pixel Art Scenes for Video Games Domestika, 2023

#5. Undergraduate Degree

There are different ways to list a bachelor’s degree.

Let’s take a look at three different cases for a candidate with an engineering degree.

First, if you’ve graduated from university and received the degree, list it according to the following template:

B.Sc. Mechanical Engine ering

University of California, Berkeley

2002 - 2006

If you obtained a double major, you would write it down as:

B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering

If you have two or more majors, keep in mind that you should list the major that’s most relevant to the job you are applying to.

For example, if you majored in Applied Languages and International Relations, you should focus on the languages for a job as a translator.

Lastly, if you’re still attending college, just omit the finishing year when filling in your education section and add “Present” instead, like so:

But there are also different ways you can specify that you’re still studying. Instead of “Present,” you could write:

• 2021 - Current
• Expected Graduation: 2024
• 2021 - 2024 (expected graduation)
• 2021 - In progress
• To Be Completed: 2024

#6. Graduate and Postgraduate Degrees

Graduate-level education is, in general, more detailed since it requires participating in a more focused area of research on top of your graduate-level work. 

At this level, you probably contributed to the field with a dissertation of your own, which you should include in your resume.

Here’s an example:

Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences

University of Rochester

Dissertation: Imaging, Computational Analysis, & Neural Representations in Young Children

Graduate and postgraduate education often includes scholarships , fellowships, or outside funding involved, which you might want to include in addition to all the general information about your degree.

Here are some real-life examples:

MBA in Business Administration

University of Maine

• Avangrid Scholarship
• Magna Cum Laude

When it comes to honors and awards, there are different ways you can list them to save space on your resume. Here’s an example that mentions them but leaves more space for the dissertation title:

MSc. in Information Systems

WU Vienna University of Economics & Business

Salutatorian, Summa Cum Laude

2015 - 2017

Dissertation: Leveraging User-Generated Content for Advertising Purposes Through Information Systems

And if you’re still studying, don’t forget to check out our student resume templates to get started on your job hunt.

#7. Unfinished Education

Even if you didn’t graduate from university, you can still mention it in your education section. Just be strategic about it.

If you have several years of relevant coursework from a degree program that relates to the job you're applying for, it can show that you’re knowledgeable even without the final credential.

B.Sc. in Civil Engineering

34 credits completed

2018 - 2019

However, if you only have basic courses or your degree isn’t relevant to the role, you might be better off skipping it altogether. There’s no need to draw attention to an unfinished degree if it won’t help you impress the hiring manager.

Need more examples? Check out our 90+ resume examples for different professions .

Do you still wonder something about education on a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions here:

#1. How Do You Put Your Degree on a CV?

Adding your degree to your CV is pretty much the same as adding it to your resume.

List your degrees in reverse chronological order, with the most recent degree on top. Always include the essential information, such as the degree name, your major, the name of the university, and the years you attended. If relevant, you can include your GPA, thesis title, study abroad experiences, and academic honors.

#2. How Do You Write Down Your Bachelor’s Degree?

There are different ways that a bachelor's degree can be written down on your resume. Usually, there’s no need to spell out the full degree name, so there are ways you can abbreviate it for your resume. These include:

BA (Bachelor of Arts) BS (Bachelor of Science) BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

Just use the specific abbreviation that matches your degree type. (E.g.: BSc Computer Science, BA History, BBA Economics, etc. )

#3. What If I Have an Education Gap or Took Time Off from Studies?

Treat any gaps in your education the same as you would treat an employment gap . Be upfront with the hiring manager and list the start and end dates to account for the time of the gap on your resume.

Use your cover letter to briefly explain the gap without going into too much detail. Hiring managers are understanding, and reasons like health, family, or professional experience are all common to justify education gaps.

#4. How Far Back Should I Go When Listing My Education History?

Generally, you only need to list basic information about your education if you graduated a long time ago. Your work experience and more recent achievements will have a lot more weight than details about your time in college 14 years ago.

For most professionals, listing just your highest degree is more than enough. However, an academic CV for scientific or research-heavy roles might need a more comprehensive educational background.

Key Takeaways

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of our article!

We’re confident you’re an expert on how to list education on a resume by now, but before we part ways, let’s quickly wrap up our main points:

• Your education section belongs after your work experience section, though there are some exceptions.
• If you don’t have any work experience, recently earned a relevant degree, or if you’re applying for a research-oriented position or in academia, the education section should be listed first.
• When listing your educational entries, use a reverse chronological order. Start with the most recent degree you have and go backward from there.
• If you have some sort of higher education, there’s no need to list your high school education.
• Unless your GPA is exceptional, don’t list it. It might undermine your resume otherwise.
• There are different ways to list your education, depending on the type of school you went to and what you want to highlight. Scroll back up if you want to see some examples.

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How to List Education on a Resume With Examples

Quick Navigation:

What to include in the education section of a resume

Where to list your education in a resume, what interviewers want to see in your resume’s education section, how to format education on a resume.

• Examples at different life stages for listing education on a resume
• Education FAQs

The education section of your resume provides hiring managers with a detailed insight into your background and how it relates to the role. When written to reflect the job requirements, your education section can give you an advantage over other candidates. The best way to list your education depends on your work and academic achievements.

There are several ways to list education on your resume. Reading and understanding the job description can help identify the perfect location and level of qualification to include when applying to a position. Not all jobs need your full credentials, so you can check the job listing to see what the hiring managers are looking for. In this article, you can learn about how to list your education on a resume.

The information to include in your education section depends on your academic qualifications. 

Here are popular educational, academic and professional development credentials to include in the education section of a resume:

• Secondary diploma, high school diploma, or GED
• College diploma
• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, PhD or Doctorate degree
• Professional degree or certification
• Trade school diploma, certificate, or apprenticeship
• Professional licenses or memberships
• Online class or course
• Name of schools and location
• Discipline (including major and minor where applicable)
• Year of graduation (optional)
• GPA (include only if you are a current or a recent graduate with a strong GPA of at least 3.5)
• Awards and honors including Latin honors, Dean’s List and others
• Relevant coursework, research and other academic activities
• Professional development courses and certification
• Licenses (if you aren’t listing them in a separate section on your resume)
• Membership of extracurricular clubs and organizations

The ideal location of the education section depends on your academic achievements and experience. If you are in college or graduated one or two years ago, it’s better to highlight your education at the top of the resume. This will show the interviewer your academic achievements relevant to the role, even if you have limited work experience. 

If you have enough work experience to impress the employer, consider putting the education section at the lower part of your resume.

The information each hiring manager looks for in your resume education section depends on the job requirements. Recruiters hiring for an entry-level position might look for the course you studied in college or type of degree. An employer interviewing for a managerial role in a finance company might want to see a business school degree or industry-specific certifications.

The requirements or education section of a job description will provide the academic qualifications for the role. Read the section carefully to ensure your credentials are a good fit for the job.

Be honest with the academic qualifications you include on your resume. It is easy for interviewers to confirm the information you provide. You can leave off information that does not support your chances of getting an interview. 

While people have different education backgrounds, employers expect that education on a resume be formatted in a readable way.

Follow these steps to format education on a resume:

• First, list school or education provider’s name, type of school (if unclear) and location
• Second, list the time period that you attended or date that you graduated, making sure it is clear whether this education is completed, ongoing or unfinished
• Third, include the specialization, degree, certification or diploma, if applicable
• Fourth, list the field of study, major and/or minor, if applicable
• Lastly, list your GPA if this would be helpful and relevant to include on your resume

Education examples on a resume

Here are examples of how to list education sections on resumes for people at different points in their career:

Education for a working professional

If you are a working professional with up to 5 years of experience, place your education section below your professional experience section. In your case, the function of the education section is to show employers you meet the academic requirements for the role.

Recruiters are more interested in your recent achievements at work, not educational accomplishments. If you gained higher academic qualifications recently, place the education section at the top of your resume if it applies to the role. Rank advanced degrees from the most recent.

Example of the education section for a working professional:

Georgetown University Graduate School of Physics | Washington DC

Master of Science in Fluid Dynamics

University of Baltimore | Baltimore, Maryland

Bachelor of Science in Geophysics Studies

Education for a recent graduate

If you graduated less than five years ago, put your education section below or in line with work experience. Give your work experience a prominent position on the resume to show your readiness for the demands of a professional environment. Include your schools, attendance dates, awards and honors, and your GPA (3.5 and above), but keep it short.

Example of the education section for a recent graduate:

Michigan State University, Michigan 2012-2017

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

Statistical Analysis Certificate

Sloane Scholar

Education for a college student with some work experience

If you are a college student with work experience, place your education section above work. Include the name of the institution, degree type and the expected year of graduation. You can also mention coursework, extracurricular activities, organizations and other academic achievements relevant to the role. Don’t include your GPA if it is below 3.5.

Example of the education section for a college student with work experience:

California State University, California

Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance, September 2017

Minored in Accounting

Relevant Coursework: Accounting Systems, Actuarial Sciences, Anti Money Laundering Protocols

Extracurricular activities: Treasurer for the Association of Accounting Students

GPA: 3.95/4.0

Education for a college student with no work experience

If you are a college student with no work experience, build your education section with your best academic achievements. Include relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, degree, awards and honors, expected graduation date and GPA where applicable.

You can also mention any college experience that applies to the role. Mention the experiences and skills you gained from your coursework or research and how they apply to the role.

Example of the education section for a college student with no work experience:

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

GPA: 3.65/4.0

Relevant Coursework: Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology

Expected Graduation: September 2019

Awards: Dean’s List, Autumn 2017

Extracurricular Activities: Assistant Editor of the Purdue Psychology Digest

The best way to make your education section stand out is to keep it honest and relevant. Mention only academic achievements that boost your chances of getting hired. Be strategic and put your credentials where they will attract the hiring manager’s attention.

Education Section FAQ

What order should i list education in.

Education is usually listed in reverse chronological order. For example, list a graduate degree first, and then your undergraduate degree.

Most people list the highest level of education first. Start with the highest level of education first, and then the second-highest, and then third highest (onwards).

Should I list all my education on my resume?

Not necessarily. Only list education if it is relevant for the job posting. For example, if you are a college graduate, you don’t need to put high school education on a resume.

What takes priority – education or work experience?

Whether education or work experience is more important is determined by the job posting and your qualifications.

Generally, experienced candidates should list their previous work experience first, if the experience is relevant for the job.

However, teens, students, recent grads, and candidates with less work experience could list education and relevant qualifications first.

When should I leave education off a resume?

Most people list the highest level of education relevant for the job, even if they are experienced candidates. But the more relevant work experience you have, the less important the education section becomes.

Always read the job description carefully to identify whether the employer requires specific education qualifications. Add that education to your resume if you have completed it.

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How To List Education On A Resume (With Examples)

• How To Write A Resume
• Resume Skills Section
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• Career Objective Section
• Resume Reference Section
• Resume Summary Section
• Resume Summary Example
• Resume Interests Section
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• Study Abroad On Resume

Listing your education on your resume is a vital part of showing hiring managers that you not only qualify for the job, but you’re the best person for it. Job seekers often struggle to figure out where exactly they should put it on their resume, though, especially if they’re short on space.

In this article, we’ll explain how to list education on a resume and give you examples of the different ways of doing this.

Key Takeaways:

List your highest degree first unless another degree is more relevant to the position.

If you’re a recent graduate, put your education at the top of your resume . If you have a few years of job experience, put it at the bottom.

Put the name of the school you attended, the degree you earned, your graduation year, and your GPA (if above 3.5) on your resume.

What to include in resume education section

How to include your education on your resume, resume education section template and examples, resume education section tips, resume education section faq, final thoughts.

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Your resume education section should include the basics of your education — degree level, name, and institution name — as well as anything else that sets you apart, such as honors or awards.

Degrees listed in reverse chronological order

High school, college, or university name

Educational institution location (city and state)

Major/minor/field of study

GPA (if above 3.5)

Honors: cum laude (3.900 or higher), magna laude (3.700-3.899) , summa laude (3.900 or higher)

Awards or distinctions (Honor Society, President’s Award, Dean’s List, etc.)

Scholarships (Academic, Merit, Athletic or Community Service Scholarships)

Place your education on your resume according to how relevant it is to the job you’re applying for.

The placement and layout of your resume’s education section depends on your experience level, how recently you were a student, and what sort of role you’re applying for.

Here are some principles to follow when listing your education section on your resume depending on which category you fall into:

Student or recent graduate. If you are attending or recently graduated from high school, college, or a vocational program, put your education section near the top of your resume, after your contact information and a resume objective or summary statement.

Since you will be applying for an entry-level job and have very little relevant job experience to show, you want to showcase your education as the first thing recruiters see.

The exception to this is if you’re a college student or recent graduate who has some impressive internships and other work experiences under your belt — in this case, it’s probably best to open with your professional experience instead of your education.

Here’s an example of an education section on a current student’s resume:

Education Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas Bachelor of Science in Biology, Pre-Med Expected May 2022 4.0 GPA Relevant Coursework: Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Research Methods Berthoud High School Berthoud, Colorado May 2020 4.0 GPA summa cum laude

College graduates with some experience. Once you have your college degree and some experience with jobs in your industry, you can list your education after your professional experience section.

Here’s an example of how the previous example of a resume education section would change once you’ve graduated and gained some experience:

Education Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland Master of Science in Biotechnology May 2024 Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas Bachelor of Science in Biology, Pre-Med May 2022 summa cum laude Honor Society Top 10 Senior

Seasoned job seekers. Once you’ve been working for several years, put your education section near the bottom of your resume, usually between your professional experience and skills sections. The exception is if you’re applying to academic or research positions.

Seasoned employees don’t necessarily need to include their honors and awards in their education section, as your work in your career speaks more powerfully to your work ethic and success. Here’s an example of this:

Education Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland Master of Science in Biotechnology May 2024 Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas Bachelor of Science in Biology, Pre-Med May 2022

To create a winning resume, you need to know how to write an effective education section and what information to include in it.

To make it easy, here is a template of what to include in the education section of your resume along with some examples below for different situations.

Resume education section template:

School or University City, State Degree Earned / Minor (Most recent degree listed first) Date Earned or Expected to Earn (Month and year) GPA (if over 3.5) Honors/Awards

Example of education section with a 4-year degree from college:

Western Illinois University Macomb, Illinois Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice / Minor in Psychology December 2018 Graduated magna cum laude Cumulative GPA of 3.95 Dean’s List all semesters

Example of education section with two degrees:

Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois Master of Business Administration May 2020 GPA of 3.75 The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Champaign, Illinois BS in Business, Business Administration May 2016 GPA of 3.8

Example of education section with a future graduation date:

DePaul University Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Arts in Communications, degree anticipated December 2020 Current GPA of 3.65

Example of education section with no graduation date to avoid age discrimination:

University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Business Administration

Example of education section with a recent high school diploma:

Burlington High School Burlington, Iowa 2016-2020 President of Student Council

Example resume objective statements with educational experience

If your education plays a vital role in your eligibility for a position, mention it in your resume objective statement.

Here are two example resume objective statements that incorporate educational experience:

High school graduate example resume objective statement

Hard-working high school graduate with one year experience in retail seeks a job in customer service. Possess strong communication skills, attention to detail, and sales experience.

Undergraduate example resume objective statement

Highly motivated Bachelor of Arts graduate with a 3.5 GPA seeking a role with a Public Relations firm. Brings strong interpersonal skills and proven experience directing media campaigns.

Follow these tips to make your resume’s education section look great for hiring managers and recruiters:

Read the job description carefully . Specifically, look for any “requirements” or “education” sections in the job posting. Most jobs don’t specify much more than “bachelor’s degree required” or something similar, but some jobs do require certain certifications or degrees.

Don’t lie. Educational background checks are one of the easiest things employers do to verify your information. Being caught in a lie is a surefire way to remove yourself from the candidate pool.

Start strong. You should almost always lead with your highest level of education and work your way backward. The only caveat to this is when your highest degree isn’t relevant to the position you’re applying for, but a more recent, less prestigious certification is relevant. In that case, relevancy wins out and you should lead with that certification.

Don’t list multiple schools for one degree. If you hopped around a few times to get some credits here and there, don’t go writing an autobiography about it. Keep things simple; just list where you ended up getting the degree from.

Consider breaking down your education section. If you have a lot of impressive collegiate or post-graduate experience under your belt and it’s all relevant to the job you’re applying for, you can start thinking about breaking down your education section into subsections. Things like “projects,” “continuous education,” “awards,” etc. can all make good subheaders.

Should you spell out your degree?

Yes, you should spell out your degree. Rather than put B.S. or B.A., it’s better to spell out your degree.

Do you use an apostrophe in your degree?

You use an apostrophe in your degree if you say master’s degree or bachelor’s degree. If you use the word of, then you don’t use an apostrophe. For example, Master of Business Administration or Bachelor of Arts.

Should you include your high school graduation information?

If you are a recent high school graduate who has not earned a college degree, then list your high school education. However, if you have earned a college degree, then it’s recommended you omit your high school information.

Should you include the year you graduated from college?

Yes, you should include the year you graduated from college unless you’re over 40 years old. Job seekers aged 19-39 can list their college graduation dates. But after you hit 40 years old, it’s recommended to drop the date so hiring managers don’t discriminate against you unfairly.

What if you never graduated?

If you attended college for a couple of years but did not complete your degree, you can still list the credit hours you received there. Put the school name, how many hours you completed, and the subjects you studied. If you intend to finish your degree, put what it is, where you’re getting it from, and the date you expect to receive it.

Should you list your anticipated graduation date?

Yes, you should list your anticipated graduation date. If you are currently attending college and have an anticipated graduation date you should include that on your resume.

What if you didn’t make the Dean’s list all semesters? Can you still include it?

While it may be tempting to show off the one semester that you reached the Dean’s list , it’s better to include that honor on your resume only if you made it all semesters you attended school. This will keep your education section more streamlined.

Should you list advanced degrees that you are pursuing?

Yes, you should list the advanced degrees that you are pursuing. Employers love to see when applicants are investing in their further education. Showing that you are pursuing a master’s or a doctorate can help explain a job gap too.

Should you embellish things in your education section?

No, you shouldn’t embellish things in your education section. Lying about your education or work experience on a resume is a bad idea. Many employers will verify your college degree. If an employee checked your background and found that out to be not true, you would immediately be terminated.

Should you include education in your cover letter?

You should only include education in your cover letter if it is highly relevant to what makes you the best candidate for the job. Most of your resume cover letter should be focused on your relevant skills and work experience, but you can mention aspects of your education and how they would translate to job-related skills.

For example, if you have a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a focus on Mass Communications, you could mention in your cover letter the transferable skills you gained during your college television production experience and how it applies to the TV production studio job that you are applying for.

Today’s job market is competitive. Leverage these tips and tricks and write a resume that gets you noticed and lands you a job interview. Whether you’re a new graduate looking for your first job, your education is your biggest asset. If you are a seasoned veteran looking to make your next career move, your education can help you stand out.

So follow the simple steps outlined above to create an effective resume education section that gets you one step closer to landing the job you want.

Purdue Online Writing Lab – Education Section

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Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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The Must-Haves When Writing Your Education On Your Resume [For 2024]

The education section on your resume is more important than you think. Here’s how to structure it, including advice for current students and recent grads.

3 years ago   •   11 min read

The education section is an easily overlooked part of any resume — which doesn’t mean it should be an afterthought. If you’re a current student or recent graduate, or if you’re applying to jobs that require a specific degree, you’ll know you need to put some thought into it, but the same is true even if you’ve been in the workforce for a while.

Here are some of our best tips for how to structure it, including where to put your resume education section and how to make the most impact without letting it take over more space than it needs.

Where to put your education on your resume

Where to put the education section of your resume mostly depends on how recently you graduated:

• If you've been out of school for a few years and have some relevant work experience, include your education section underneath your professional experience .
• If you graduated recently and your education is your most relevant experience, put your education section at the top of your resume .

We'll go into more detail on the why's and how's of listing your education vs work experience first on your resume later in the article. First, here's a quick guide on how to write a resume education section.

How to format a resume education section

• Create a separate section and title it "Education."
• List the name of the school and the degree you studied.
• List your graduation date. This is optional, especially if you graduated more than 10 years ago.
• List any major awards or honors, including cum laude or dean's list.
• If you're a current student or recent graduate, you can consider including extra details like GPA or relevant coursework (see below for more details).
• If you have multiple degrees, list them in reverse chronological order, with your most recent degree first.

Resume education section template

Here are a couple of different templates you can use, depending on how much experience you have.

Education section for mid-level hires

Here's an example of a brief education section, suitable for experienced hires.

Use this template to copy this format:

EDUCATION Name of college or university, location Date of graduation Degree, major, and minor

Education section for students and graduates

This is a longer example you can use if you're a current student or recent graduate.

Here's the expanded template:

EDUCATION Name of college or university, location Date of graduation Degree, major, and minor Awards and GPA (if above 3.5) Relevant coursework

What to include in your resume education section

As a general rule, you should limit your education section to information that's relevant to the job you're applying for.

Must haves:

• The university or college you attended
• The degree you obtained
• Your major(s)
• The year you graduated

Awards and honors

Study abroad.

• Relevant coursework

Extracurricular activities

Other certifications, educational projects, internships and student placements, unfinished degrees, the university or college and degree.

This one's a no-brainer. If nothing else, you must include the name of your degree and where you obtained it.

Major and minor

You should pretty much always list your major, unless you completed your degree in a completely unrelated field. Listing your minor is a good idea if it's in any way relevant to the job you're now applying for.

More information: How to put a double major on a resume and the minors you need to include on your resume

Any major awards or honors should go in your resume education section. These include cum laude or magna cum laude, dean's list , and fellowships.

More information: How to list honors on your resume

Your GPA is very optional — only include it if you're a current student or recent graduate and it's above 3.5. In all other cases, leave it off.

If you’re a current student, it’s fine to list study abroad on your resume. You can list the experience under the host school, making sure to note that it was a study abroad program.

More information: Turn study abroad into a job with these resume tips

If you're an experienced hire, skip this step. If you have real work experience, including coursework will look strangely out of touch.

If you're a current student and don't have a lot of relevant work experience, relevant coursework can help demonstrate key skills and get you past Applicant Tracking Systems . You can list a handful of subjects on one line underneath your degree and major.

More information: What to put on your resume if you don't have a lot of experience

You can include student activities a subsection of your resume education section (if they only take up a line or two) or in a separate section (if you want to include key accomplishments).

More information: How to showcase extracurriculars on your resume

Other certifications and qualifications can go on your resume, but be critical about what you list. This could include certificates, licences, technical qualifications, and other types of continuing education — as long as they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for. You also don’t need to list every conference or seminar you’ve ever attended. Keep it limited to substantial qualifications that help you stand out.

More information: The right way to list certifications on a resume

Projects can also be listed in their own section if you choose to elaborate on your accomplishments — if you're a current student or recent graduate, this is a great way to highlight relevant skills. If you'd rather keep it brief, include a 'Projects' subheading in your education section and list them there instead.

More information: How to list projects on your resume

Internships — paid or unpaid — are generally a better fit for your work experience section, since they take place in a professional work environment. List these the same way as paid work experience, including the name of the employer, the dates of the internship, and a few key accomplishments in bullet points.

You can include student placements if they were a) significant, b) recent, and c) relevant. In other words, a six-month hospital placement belongs on your resume if you're a recent nursing graduate, but a two-week observation probably doesn't.

More information: How to write effective resume bullet points

It's fine to list an unfinished degree on your resume. Do list an unfinished degree if it's relevant to the job you're applying for, demonstrates key skills, or explains a long career gap. Don't list an unfinished degree if it's much older or  in a different industry than the one you now work in — only include it if it strengthens your candidacy.

It’s also okay to include your degree if you haven’t officially graduated yet — simply list it as “expected May 2024” (or whatever date applies).

Boston University (2020-2021) Boston, MA Bachelor of Arts in Communication — Completed 20 credit hours

More information: Listing an unfinished degree on your resume

I’d recommend uploading your resume to the tool below to find out if your education section is structured the right way. It’ll scan your education section and let you know if you’ve listed your degrees, majors & minors, GPA, honors, coursework and projects the right way. It’ll also let you know which of these belong on your resume and which ones to leave off entirely.

Do's and don'ts for structuring your education section

Here are some general do's and don'ts for formatting the education section of your resume:

• Keep it brief. In most cases, your education section only needs to be a line or two underneath your work experience.
• Highlight any particularly impressive accomplishments, like graduating summa cum laude or receiving a prestigious fellowship.
• Include unfinished degrees if you're still in school or they're relevant to the job you're applying for.
• List all your degrees, not just the most recent. You may think your bachelor’s degree in art history doesn’t matter if you have a master’s in engineering and are applying for jobs as an engineer, but it’ll look weird if you leave it off altogether.
• Leave a degree off your resume only if it isn’t relevant and it could make you appear overqualified — for example, if you have PhD in mathematics and are applying for jobs as an entry-level salesperson.
• Always include an education section, even if it's very short.
• Include more information than is necessary. Stick to details that strengthen your candidacy — if it's not relevant, leave it off.
• Include your GPA unless it's very high (above 3.5) . Listing a 2.0 GPA isn't going to impress any recruiters — but the good news is, once you've graduated, it isn't relevant anyway.
• List high school information (unless you're a current high school student).

Tips for writing a resume education section

Wondering how these rules apply to your specific circumstances? Here's some more targeted advice for different situations.

If you’re a recent graduate

As a recent graduate, always include your graduation date on your resume. If you don’t have a lot of work experience, a recent graduation date makes it obvious why.

Unlike more experienced hires , recent graduates can use your education section to highlight your achievements. This includes awards, student initiatives, study abroad programs, language proficiency , key leadership skills, and any major accomplishments.

If you’re a current student

If you’re still studying, your education section can be a lot bigger, since you’re unlikely to have a lot of relevant work experience. You should include any major accomplishments, including awards and involvement in extracurricular activities. If you know when you’ll be graduating, go ahead and list the expected date .

Any part-time work experience or internships can go in the work history section of your resume.

If you graduated a while ago

Try to keep your education section as short as possible.  The longer you’ve been in the workforce, the shorter it should be. If you graduated some time ago (e.g. 8+ years), it’s common practice to omit the date (and a good idea for those who want to avoid any potential age discrimination) .

If you transferred schools

If you started and finished your degree at different institutions — including transferring between four-year schools or from a community college — it's fine to just list the name of the school you graduated from. If you're a recent graduate and have achievements on your resume from your previous institution (like involvement in student organizations), you can consider listing both schools for clarification.

If you have multiple degrees

If you have multiple degrees, list them in reverse chronological order with the most recent first.

Key takeaways

Remember that your resume is about presenting you as a strong applicant for a position rather than about adding as much information as possible. Normal resume rules apply — if it strengthens your candidacy, leave it in. If it takes the spotlight off more impressive work experience, take it off.

Everything on your resume should have a single purpose: Demonstrating that you’re a good fit for the position you’re applying to. This means:

• Tailor your resume : Add or remove experiences and qualifications from your experience section as necessary to fit each specific role.
• If you don't have much work experience: Expand your education section when you don’t have a lot of work experience, or if the experience you do have isn’t particularly relevant. On the other side, if your work experience is extensive or impressive on its own, anything else you add risks taking focus away from the parts you want to highlight.
• If you’re a career changer: Fresh qualifications can help bridge the gap between your old industry and the new role you want.

Should you lead with work experience or education on your resume?

The convention is for your education section to be after your work experience, but there are some situations where that doesn’t apply.

You can put your education section at the top of your resume if:

• You're still a student
• You graduated recently
• You're changing careers
• Your education is the most relevant part of your resume

Recent or current students can lead with your education section

If you’re a current student and don’t have a lot of work experience , it’s fine to lead with your education section. It’s the most recent (and likely most relevant) experience you have. Leading with your education also prevents anyone who’s skimming over your resume from assuming that you’re simply inexperienced or unemployed, when the reality is that you’re in full-time education.

The same applies if you’re a recent graduate. If your education is still the most relevant or most impressive experience you have, list it first.

Career changers can start their resumes with an education section, if it's relevant

The last exception is career changers . If you’ve gone back to school as part of the career change process, you can list your education first. A new qualification is more relevant than your experience in a different industry. It also provides important context for your application, as a resume that solely focuses on your past experience in a different sector might otherwise be confusing to a hiring manager.

If you’re a career changer looking for new qualifications to include in your education section but aren’t sure what skills you need, use the tool below to find a list of skills and keywords required for the job you want.

Otherwise, your work experience should come before your education section

If the situations above don’t apply to you, and you don’t have another good reason to list your education first, stick to the standard convention as lead with your work experience. Employers primarily want to know about your work history and achievements, so unless your education is very recent, you’re better of focusing on your professional accomplishments.

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What to Include in the Education Section of a Resume

• What to Include in the Education Section
• Where to Put the Education Section
• Tips for the Education Section

Resume Education Section Template

Education section examples.

What's the best way to include your education on your resume? In the education section of your resume, list the schools you attended, the degrees you attained, your GPA if you're a student or a recent graduate, and any special awards and honors you earned.

You should tailor the education section of your resume to fit your circumstances, including whether or not you're still a student, and the nature of any academic achievements you've accrued. By including the right information, you can impress your employer and secure an interview.

What to Include in the Education Section of Your Resume

Here's an overview of what to include when you're adding education to your resume.

School and degree.  The essential information to include in the education section are your degree(s) and the schools you attended.

Major and minor.  You can also give more specific information, including your major and minor, as well as the year you graduated, although the latter is not required.

Your GPA.  Include your grade-point average (GPA) if you're currently a student or are 1-2 years out of school and your GPA is strong (about 3.0-3.5 or higher, depending on your major). You may also want to consider including your in-major GPA if it's higher than your overall GPA.

Honors and awards.  Include any honors or awards you have received in school. These can range from Latin honors (such as  cum laude  or  magna cum laude ) to dean’s list and other awards.

You can also include extracurricular clubs, charitable groups, or Greek organizations where you were active and/or held a leadership role.

Certifications, continuing education, and professional development.  Include any professional development courses and certifications. You can list any licenses you have unless you have a separate section of your resume where you include this information.

Where to Put the Education Section of Your Resume

Current students, recent college graduates, or career changers may want to put the education section towards the top of their resume. This is because students typically have limited work experience and want to highlight academic success.

If you have been out of school for at least a couple of years, you can move this section to the bottom of your resume. By this time, you have enough work experience to highlight that you don’t need to rely on your education.

Tips for the Education Section of Your Resume

Consider subsections.  If you have a lot of information to include in the education section of your resume, consider breaking this section into subsections. The main section might include your schools and degrees, and then you can have other sections such as “Awards and Honors,” “Certifications,” and “Professional Development.” If you held a leadership role in a school-affiliated organization (such as a club, sport, or Greek organization), you could list that below the "Awards and Honors" line.

Provide specifics (if useful).  If the sub-college of your university is well known and relevant (e.g., say you graduated from the hospitality school of your university and are applying for a job in hospitality), you can include that before you include your university name. For example, you could write, “School of Hospitality, XYZ College.”

When you can leave out your GPA.  If you're a student or recent graduate and your GPA wasn’t great, but you have other accolades, you can leave the GPA out and put something else, like “XYZ Award Recipient” unless the employer requires a minimum GPA. Once you've been out of school for few years, you can take your GPA out of your resume altogether.

You can leave out high school (after a while). Once you've been in college for a year or so (or once you're in some other sort of continuing education), you can leave your high school degree and GPA out of your resume. However, you should mention your high school diploma (or GED ) if it is your highest degree.

When you can leave out your graduation date. You aren't required to list your graduation date on your resume—but if your degree was earned over 10 - 15 years ago or you're an older job seeker, it's a good idea to omit the date you graduated.

Tell the truth. It's very easy for an employer to confirm whether or not the education information in your resume is true or not. If they have requested a copy, they can simply check your transcript . If you're not happy with your GPA, leave it out, but don’t make it up. Be honest.

If you're a college student or graduate and unsure about what details to include in your resume, check with your career services office for guidance.

You can use the following template to help structure the education section of your resume. Keep in mind that you can change and remove any of this information to fit your own circumstances and the job for which you're applying.

EDUCATION SECTION

College Name Year of graduation Degree, major, and minor GPA

Awards and Honors Include any academic achievements here, including Latin honors, honors within your major, and more.

Certifications Include any professional or educational certifications you've received.

Professional Development Include any professional development experiences, including courses (both online and in person) and seminars. You might also mention here if you're a member of any relevant professional organizations. If you hold a position within the organization, mention that as well.

Resume Education Section Example #1

Huntown College May 2021 Bachelor of Arts in English, department honors 3.8 GPA

Resume Education Section Example #2

EDUCATION XYZ College Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

Awards and Honors Summa cum laude ABC Award for outstanding journalism major

Certifications Level 1 Strategic Communication Certification

Professional Development Conference Coordinator, XYZ Journalism Association of America

Virginia Tech. " Should I Include My GPA on My Resume? " Accessed Sept. 15, 2021.

CareerOneStop. " Education ." Accessed Sept. 15, 2021.

CollegeGrad. " Should You Include Your GPA on Your Entry Level Resume? " Accessed Sept. 15, 2021.

CNBC. " This is the Age When You Should Remove Your Graduation Year From Your Resume ." Accessed Sept. 15, 2021.

How to list education on a resumé

You’ve spent years of your life studying and now’s the time to show off all that hard work. Educational achievements of all kinds are worth listing on your resumé . Depending on your career paththey can even be the most important details to highlight.

Listing your education on your resumé is important as it lets employers see at a glance what knowledge and skills you bring to a role. Read on to learn more about how to list your education on your resumé and position yourself as a prime candidate for the job you want.

Information to include in the education section of a resumé

When it comes to listing your education, there are a few important factors that hiring managers are looking for when they’re reviewing your resumé. Depending on how in-depth you want to make your education section, here are some details you might want to include:

• Your school’s name
• Location of your school 
• Any degrees, diplomas or certificates you obtained 
• Your field of study 
• The year you graduated or the years you studied
• Any academic recognition, coursework, activities or other achievements 

How to list completed education on a resumé (with examples)

The way you approach listing your education on your resumé depends on how long you’ve been in the workforce. Whether you’re a fresh graduate or a seasoned academic professional will change the level of detail you include. Here are some guidelines on how you should list your education for your circumstances.

Recent graduates (1–5 years)

If you graduated in the last five years, you should place your education section before your work experience. Chances are you haven’t gained much professional experience yet, so use your education to demonstrate your skills and knowledge instead. Be sure to include any extracurricular activities and if you received any special recognition. The exact formatting will depend on the style of your resumé, but remember to make sure it’s easily legible. For example:

Bachelor of Business Management, The University of Queensland 2016–2020 Achievements: Dean’s Commendation for Academic Excellence in Semester 2 President of University of Queensland Chess Club (UQCC), 2019

Experienced professionals (5 or more years)

If you’ve been in the workforce for more than five years, you should put your education section below your professional experience section. At this stage, most employers are more interested in your professional achievements , so you can remove any specific details, like attendance dates, extracurriculars and academic achievements. Here’s an example:

Bachelor of Business Management  The University of Queensland

Graduates with multiple degrees

If you’ve acquired several degrees or qualifications, you should list them with the highest-level qualification at the top. You can check the Australian Qualifications Framework to see how they’re ranked. There’s no need to go into too much detail unless it’s relevant for the position – just be sure to include the name of your qualification and the educational institution. For example:

Master of Business Administration MBA Melbourne Business School 

How to list incomplete or in-progress education (with examples)

If you haven’t finished your degree or you have an incomplete education, it’s still perfectly acceptable to include this in the education section of your resumé, as long as it’s relevant to the position you’re applying for. 

For in-progress education, you should include your projected graduation date if you’re on track to finish your degree. You might want to consider adding optional information, like honours, relevant coursework and any extracurricular activities. An example of this would be:

Bachelor of Business Management  The University of Queensland Graduating in November 2024

If you started a degree but chose not to finish it, you might still want to consider including it on your resumé. List the coursework you’ve completed and any special recognitions that are relevant to the job. 

Bachelor of Business Management  The University of Queensland Completed coursework: Accounting for Decision-Making, Economics for Business, Business Law and Introduction to Management

How do you list education on a resumé without a degree? 

You don’t need a degree to be able to list education on your resumé. You can list your high school certificate, TAFE qualifications, online courses, professional training and any other certifications you might have. 

If you’ve recently graduated high school, then list your school, the years you attended, and any additional achievements or qualifications. If you’ve been in the workforce for five or more years, then you can drop your high school education and focus on your other qualifications or professional experience. List items starting with the highest level of education first: 

Diploma of Leadership and Management TAFE Queensland, South Bank 2021–2022

Brisbane State High School 2015–2020 ATAR: 84.00 Electives: Accounting, Legal, English and Literature Extension, Economics Achievements: Excellence Award in Economics (2019)

Tips for your resumé education section

While the education section may only be a small portion of your resumé, it provides potential employers with crucial information about your technical skills , subject knowledge and academic accomplishments. It’s an opportunity to make a positive first impression and get one step closer to landing the role.

Here are a few tips for putting together an effective education section on your resumé:

• Start with your highest level of education: always list your education, certifications and qualifications from the highest level to the lowest. 
• Include relevant details:  make sure to include all the important information, including the name of your school or educational institution, the name of the degree or qualification and the major (if applicable). If you’re still studying, you should also include your expected graduation date.
• Include awards: list any academic awards, dean’s commendations, scholarships or other relevant recognitions
• List relevant coursework: if your resumé is lacking professional experience or your studies are incomplete, you might want to consider including the relevant coursework you’ve completed. 
• Include thesis or capstone project:  completing a thesis or a capstone project is a huge achievement, so be sure to list it as part of your education.
• Detail study abroad or exchange programs: completing study overseas demonstrates cultural awareness and adaptability, so it’s also worth mentioning in your education section.
• List professional development certifications: include any certifications, qualifications or workshops relevant to your education or the job you're seeking.
• Omit high school details: if you’ve completed tertiary education or you’ve been in the workforce for several years, it’s often not necessary to include your high school education.
• Tailor to the job:  you should customise the education section of your resumé based on the role you’re applying for. You only have limited space to work with, so be sure to highlight aspects of your education that are most relevant to the position. If you have several degrees or qualifications, it could be worth narrowing down your list to feature only those that are applicable.
• Proofread your resumé: double- and triple-check your resumé to make sure you haven’t missed any typos or grammatical errors. It’s also important to make sure you’re being consistent with your formatting throughout the education section so it’s visually appealing and easy to read.
• Use action verbs for descriptions: when incorporating action verbs into your education section, focus on describing your achievements, responsibilities and the impact of your activities. This will help to enhance readability and demonstrate your skills.

The education section is an essential part of your resumé. It demonstrates to potential employers that you possess the relevant skills and knowledge to succeed in the position you’re applying for. It also demonstrates commitment, diligence and other transferable skills that are important for success in the workplace. Whether you’ve recently completed additional qualifications or you’re applying for a new role, now’s a great time to review and refresh the education section on your resumé.  

Is it okay to list all your subjects under the education section of a resumé or is just mentioning a degree's title good enough?

When it comes to listing your subjects under the education section of your resumé, it’s usually best to only include the coursework you’ve completed that’s relevant to the position you’re applying for. Listing your subjects in addition to the degree’s title usually isn’t necessary if you’ve got multiple degrees, certificates or qualifications to include. Alternatively, if you’re including incomplete education, you’ve only recently graduated from high school, or you’re in the process of completing your degree, then including subjects can help to demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge for the position. 

Should I put education first on my resumé?

Your personal details and career objective or summary should always be listed first on your resumé. You should then include whatever is most recent from your work experience or education. If you’ve recently graduated, chances are you haven’t gained much work experience, so place the emphasis on your education and the relevant skills and knowledge you’ve gained. Alternatively, if you’ve been in the workforce for a few years, most employers will be more interested in your professional experience and how it can contribute to the position you’re applying for.  

Should I include my high school education on my resumé?

Unless you’ve recently left high school, there’s no need to include your high school education on your resumé. If you’re currently studying for a degree or other qualification, you might want to include more information about that than about your high school education. You can provide details about relevant coursework, academic achievements and your expected graduation date instead.

Should I list my GPA on my resumé?

If you’re a recent graduate of Law of Medicine and you achieved a high GPA, it can be a good idea to include your GPA in the education section of your resumé. After all, a high GPA demonstrates your academic achievement. With that said, the GPA grading system is not commonly used in Australia, and most employers scanning your resumé are only interested in your qualifications.

Should I include online courses or certificates in my education section?

Online courses, certificates and other qualifications all fall into the category of education, so if they’re recent and relevant to the position that you’re applying for, then it’s worth including them in the education section of your resumé. Completing courses and certifications helps to demonstrate your commitment to learning, as well as the skills and knowledge that you possess. 

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The Best Way How to List Education on a Resume

The education section on the resume of any candidate is one of the most underrated aspects of a great application. It shows the background of an individual and even certain achievements. A candidate with a well-composed education section that is relevant to a particular job stands out from the crowd and is quickly shortlisted.

Today, we will cover the following points for the job candidates to ace this crucial aspect. 

The Importance of Listing Your Education on a Resume

• What You Need to Include in the Education Section of Resume
• How You Can Add Your Education to Your Resume
• Education on a Resume Example

Before we jump into the article, you should know about the option to hire resume writing or pro resume editing services to do the job for you. Through SkillHub resume writer service , one can not only save time but also increase their chances of getting hired.

So, let’s dive into it. ‍

If we think about it, it has always been our education that helped us get our first jobs. Thus, no matter how many people try to change the norm, the education of candidates will always be one of the biggest determining factors when it comes to getting a job. Thus, it is highly important to list one’s education on resume so employers can see their most potent credentials.

What Employers Want to See in Your Education Section

Firstly, you must understand that when employers look at a candidate’s education, in their minds, they are already deciding the individual’s fate for the job. Basically, they are quite directly judging if the individual’s education matches the job role and requirements.

In this section, employers always want to see the most pertinent education to the job role they are offering. Thus, one’s resume education will only be the strongest when it exactly reflects their potential employer’s needs. To avoid failure, candidates should check job descriptions thoroughly and only apply to relevant ones.

Cover letters are crucial for landing a dream job that is why almost half of the job seekers (47%) write them. A lot of employers decline applications without them. Skillhub writers can help a job seeker to find the best position. They are doing it by writing a cover letter examples . Check out!

Here’s What You Need to Include in the Resume Education Section

Although resumes for various jobs often need to be created in different styles, there is always a generalized list of must-have items answering the question of what to put for education on resume. Here is some information that you can include in your resumes education section: 

• most recent certificate or degree;
• in-progress education;
• name and location of your school or college;
• your college’s or school’s accreditation, board, & ranking;
• start date, day of graduation, and/or expected graduation date;
• field(s) of study and majoring area(s);
• GPA if it is 3.5 and above;
• major academic certifications or honors like relevant coursework, making the principal’s list, being a valedictorian, etc.;
• participation in various extracurricular activities;
• achievements in various sports;
• any study abroad or student exchange programs.

Listing education on resumes comes down to knowing the exact requirements of the job role and the company’s or employer’s style of hiring. Want to have it done of the highest quality? Well, rely on a smart and fast resume builder service ! Delegate and get promoted!

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Here’s How You Can Add Your Education on a Resume

Here are some insights into how to add education to resume. 

• Always add your highest or most recent degree first.
• List your other certificates or degrees in reverse-chronological order.
• Don’t include your high school information unless you’re looking for an early internship opportunity or just starting college.
• Add all the key information for each completed degree, like the name of the institution, name of the educational board, start and end dates, and your achieved grade or score.

Now, let’s look at the resume format examples you can use for the education section resume to attract the recruiter.

MA in Social & Political Sciences (2014-2018)

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, GA

B.S. in Chemical Engineering | 2006 - 2010

DePaul University, Chicago, IL | 2016 – 2020

Bachelor of Arts – Major in Branding & Design; Minor in Photography

How You Can List Your Ongoing Education

One’s education that is still in progress reveals the intentions of a candidate and the field in which they are interested. If relevant to a particular job profile, listing an ongoing education can certainly boost an applicant’s chances.

However, there are certain requirements with which one must comply when adding this section. Here are some tips on how to list education or resume if it is not completed yet. Mention the following:

• name of your institution;
• name of your certification, course, or degree;
• date of graduation;
• relevant coursework;
• extracurricular activities, sports achievements, and participation in student organizations;
• GPA (3.5 and above only);
• other achievements or awards.

Take a look at the good ongoing education on resume example: 

University of Michigan | St. Ann Arbor, MI

M.A. in Mechanical Engineering | Graduation in 2020

Awards – Rank 3 in the American Convention for Scientific Inventions 2018

Coursework – Introduction to Machines, Drone Engineering, & Combustion Solutions 

And here’s a bad example: 

University of Michigan | Michigan

M.A. in Mechanical Engineering

Coursework – Various subjects related to mechanical engineering 

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How You Can Add Your High School Education to a Resume

A great resume format ensures great readability. This, in turn, can increase a candidate’s chances of getting the job and boosting their career. Adding high school information on the education section on resume is mostly relevant to entry-level job seekers without much professional experience. Thus, listing education on a resume can become crucial.

If one’s highest education is being a high school graduate, they should still mention it because many companies are always on the lookout for interns or freshers. Resume creators should always keep this section concise and sweet by providing the most appropriate information.

One should consider the perspective of the employer and what they need from this section. Adding the name of the school, graduation date, coursework, and other achievements and skills should be enough to get started.

• First, let’s look at the weak way to highlight high school education.

Washington Blue’s High School, Washington, DC

Graduated in 2016

• Now, let’s consider an example of how to write your education on a resume with relevant coursework information. 

Coursework – Introduction & Specialization in Robotics

• Here’s an example with achievement and award.

Awards – Young Changemaker for the Environment

• Lastly, see an example for those who have not completed high school yet. 

Expected to graduate in 2018

Giving your employers an introduction to your study background with some information on achievements and skills should be more than enough to impress them.

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How You Can Add Your Higher Education to a Resume

The higher education section on a resume shows the overall development of one’s education over the years. Listing education on resume in reverse chronological order emphasizes your recent accomplishments, providing employers with up-to-date information about the applicant. Several candidates are often chosen based on their achievements during their education.

Some recent graduates may also have little to no professional experience. In this case, one’s highest education will play a vital role in helping them land interviews and jobs. Resume creators can further boost their chances by listing the skills they got while studying for their degrees. 

For example, candidates can mention awards won, relevant coursework, descriptions of their honors program, participation in extracurricular activities, volunteering, publications, and more. Yet, remember to keep the section short and precise.

Look at the corresponding education section of resume examples below. 

University of Georgia | Athens, GA

Masters in Biology 2011

Terry Scholar

• Here’s an example of how to write education in resume with relevant coursework information. 

Master of Arts in Music Theory

The University of California (UCLA), Berkeley, CA

Coursework – Fundamentals of Music Theory, History of Chords, Composition & Melody, & Sound Healing

• Here’s an example with an award and honors program. 

Honors B.S. in Astrophysics | Salutatorian | Magna Cum Laude

Award – California Science Program: Breakthrough in String Theory

Caltech, Pasadena, CA

Graduated in 2015

Giving your employers a clear idea about your achievements and skills shows your self-presentation ability and makes you closer to the dream job offer. Take your chance to stand out from others!

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So, Where Should Education Go on a Resume?

A good resume education format is a must, but so is its overall placement on the document. The best and easiest way to approach this is to divide resume creators based on their overall professional experience – recent graduates and experienced professionals.

Recent Graduates

Recent graduates should place their education section before or just after any of their work experience. This is because, without any professional experience, their education automatically becomes the strongest part of their resume. Look at the following example. 

Stanford University (2013-2018)

Masters in Sports Management (MSM)

Award – Business Essentials Certificate

Scholarship – Washington Sports Scholarship 

Procter & Gamble (2017-2018)

Experienced Professionals

Experienced professionals should always place their education after their professional history. This is because employers are always more interested in their recent endeavors and accomplishments, especially in a real-life work environment. Here is the right example. 

Amazon.com (2015-present)

HR Generalist

• implemented system and process improvements
• identified and managed understaffing
• handled conflicts
• developed a training program for newcomers, decreasing time spent on onboarding to 40%

Harvard Business School | Boston, MA

Masters of Business Administration (MBA)

Masters of Global Business Studies (MGBS)

What to Write Under Education on a Resume?

Firstly, the process of listing education on resume begins with self-organization. Candidates should always strive to compose their resume documents in a concise yet informative way. The right approach involves providing all the necessary and relevant information about one’s background in a slick manner.

Thus, one should include as much of their educational background information as is required to get a particular job. Pay attention to corresponding points in a job description to match the employer’s expectations. When outlining special achievements or mentioning skills, one should organize these additional items in bullet points, tabular form, or short sentences.

Additional Tips on Listing Education on a Resume

Here are extra tips on listing one’s current education on resume. 

• Always list your most potent and recent achievements and experiences first.
• Do not mention a GPA lower than 3.5.
• The job applicant should always emphasize their education if they’re a recent graduate to keep the focus off the lack of experience.
• Try and list your educational information in not more than three to four bullet points or paragraphs.
• Create a template with the appealing education on resume format in mind.
• If required, always seek professional help from career experts.

Still, are you not sure how to list education a resume? Delegate it to a top resume helper , and you'll get an education on a resume that fits perfectly to all the standards.

Education on a Resume Example: 2 Cases

Here are two examples of resumes with the perfect education sections. 

1) Joanne Smith

Joanne has created a very slick document highlighting her resume education part at the top. As we can see, her most recent degree is ongoing, but she has still mentioned some key details about it. 

She then goes on to show her other educational achievements (in reverse chronological order), like some associated certifications and diplomas. She has also highlighted her academic achievements and awards in a separate section that stands out.

‍ 2) Jane Doe

Although Jane has a fair bit of experience, she has chosen to highlight her education in resume first. This is a very good thing because of the rankings of her college and her high scores (GPA). 

Jane has provided all the essential information so that her employers know exactly where she studied, what she studied, and how well she did. In her work experience, she goes on to state that she has been working at the same place where she got her degree. This also shows her dedication and loyalty towards the institution.

How to List Education on a Resume: Takeaway

• Think about the job you’re applying for and the company that will hire you.
• Keep your education section brief, informative, and to the point.
• Add as many relevant awards, accolades, achievements, and skills as possible to increase your chances of getting hired.
• Don’t forget to include your graduation dates (start and end) or expected graduation dates.
• Make the first sentence of the bullet point or paragraph bold (font) to accentuate the message.
• Add your education section first if you have less professional experience.
• Study resume education examples to learn how to list degree on resume to stand out.

Remember, if you’re confused when creating a resume, you can consult a professional. Check SkillHub for its services like teacher resume writing and resume editing. Skillhub’s resume writer service experts aim to get you more interviews so you can land great jobs.

More details about soft skills, learn here !

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Resume Writing Guide

A resume is typically an employer’s first introduction to you. First impressions are crucial to establish yourself as professional, capable, and motivated. A strong resume demonstrates your transferrable skills, communication abilities, and achievements. A consistent, detailed, and concise resume can help your resume get noticed by recruiters. By formatting your resume professionally, you increase your chances of earning the interview.

Resume Components

Contact information, phone number.

Use a phone number you can answer readily, such as your cell phone. If you have a voice mail set-up, make sure it sounds professional with your name and the best times to contact you.

Your e-mail address should be professional. While you are enrolled at UMass Amherst, your UMass e-mail will work well. After graduation, consider creating a new e-mail address that contains your name. 

Always include phone and email, but consider if listing your address is helpful or harmful. Employers may give preference to people who are closer geographically - if you are applying from far away, they may be unsure whether you are serious about moving.

Additionally, while your city and state are helpful to list, you do not necessarily need to include your street address. Employers will need it to hire you, but it is not required to provide during the job application process.

Objective/Summary

This section is most useful when you hand your paper resume out at a career or networking event - unless you have something specific to highlight, consider leaving it off your resume. A cover letter will do a better job conveying your why, as well as your key abilities. When you submit electronically, many Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) will often skip the summary section and look for those key words to be in the body of your document instead.

For currently enrolled students, you will list your current degree first, and then work backwards in reverse chronological order. During your first few years of college, consider including your high school until you run out of space.

In addition to your college education, you may also highlight   study abroad or domestic exchange programs . When discussing these programs, think about including the following experiences to highlight your transferable skills: 

Class projects

Volunteering/internships/research applicable to your field

Independent travel

Learning to work with a more diverse group of people than you had previously been exposed to

Resolving conflicts based on misunderstandings of cultural differences

Learn new activities, languages, hobbies, or skills

Education Section Example 

University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Fall 2024 - Present)

Bachelor of Arts, Major: English

GPA (if over 3.0 and you feel comfortable sharing)

Relevant Coursework: 3-5 courses max

Awards (when including awards, include the reason for receiving it. Example: "21st Century Leadership Award for high academic achievement in first year")

Senior Project: (optional)

Portfolio of work (optional)

There are many types of experiences: volunteer, paid, unpaid, work study. If the experience is relevant and taught you transferrable skills, find a way to include it.

• For each experience, include name of organization, your title or role, location, and dates
• Action verbs (samples below) to help you write accomplishment statements, which prove you have the skills you say by leaning into outcomes and successes
• Consider using multiple experience headings, such as: research experience, industry experience, or relevant experience. This can be a good way to move more relevant experiences up higher on your resume, even if they happened further in the past.
• Quantifying your work can demonstrate your aptitude. Answering questions such as "How many?",   "How much?", and "How often?" will help recruiters understand the extent of your skills.  
• Avoid “responsibilities included" and writing in a passive voice - using action verbs will make this easier.

Experience Example

Leverage, Incorporated: Boston, MA (September 2025 - Present)

Computer Science Intern

• Developed an algorithm that identified patterns in white collar crime in the financial industries across the United States. Implementation of this program reduced company losses by 17% compared to the previous quarter.
• Collaborated with supply chain division to design new packaging based on reduction of carbon footprint, leading to increased production distribution while reducing energy usage.
• Established a training program to help connect interns with mentors at the organization and was awarded the Innovative Intern of Quarter for these efforts

This section is typically for "hard" skills, which are skills that can easily be measured. Soft skills (such as interpersonal skills) are better described in bullet points of your experience section so they can have the context they require. For a skills section, depending on your targeted field, you may add computer, language, laboratory skills, or performances. For languages, put your level of fluency (e.g., proficient, advanced, fluent, native).

Skills Example

Computer: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign), Data Analysis (R-Studio, SPSS)

Resume Formatting and Layout

The average reading only spends 20 seconds reading a resume. Before that, an applicant tracking system may be utilized to select which resumes get reviewed by a human being.  Make sure your resume is easy to read and stands out. 

No single format works for everyone: the only rule is that you need to be honest, factual, and relevant

One page is ideal (especially for internships) and for students ages 18-25

Keep a longer master resume for future opportunities

List everything in reserve chronological order; start with your most recent experience work backwards

Use a legible sans serif  font size, keep it readable, 11 is a good place to start

1 column is better than 2; when you have two columns the reader may jump around and miss key information

No icons or images as they cannot be read by applicant tracking software

How Many Resume Versions Do I Need?

There is a big difference between customizing your resume for a specific position/industry versus creating different documents for each application.

• If you are applying to jobs in drastically different industries, you will want to customize resumes for each industry. For example, a psychology major applying to jobs in Human Services as well as Human Resources will want to highlight different experiences and skills for each, and potentially format their resumes different as a business setting holds different expectations for job criteria compared to a mental health setting.
• If you're pursuing a few different roles, but they're all related to one discipline or field, then you will not need multiple versions of your resume. However, you will still want to tweak each resume you send out based on the specific job description. 

Specialized Resumes/Sections

While resumes may follow the same general format, depending on your experience and industry, there may be other considerations to help your resume stand out.

Design Resumes

Design resumes can differ from traditional resumes in several tangible ways, reflecting the unique skills and creative nature of design professions.

Your document is an indication of your style aesthetic and may not need to conform to the same rules and standards as other professions.

Visual Layout

Design resumes often incorporate creative layouts that display the designer's skills in typography, layout, and visual communication.

• Infographics: Use of icons, graphs, and other visual elements can represent skills, experience, and achievements.
• Color and Typography: Thoughtful use of color and font choices creates an aesthetically pleasing document that aligns with your personal brand.

Content Presentation and Customization

Direct links to online portfolios or examples of work, are often included as part of the resume. Incorporation of personal logos, custom icons, and other branding elements that reflect a designer's style may be added here.

File Format and Compatibility

Designers create their resumes in online spaces varying from Latec to Adobe to Canva. While many resumes are shared as PDFs, design resumes especially should be shared in this format to preserve visual integrity across different devices.

Unique Layouts

Non-traditional formats such as infographics, timelines, or modular layouts may be acceptable.

Interactivity

For digital resumes, elements of interactivity can be incorporated, such as clickable links, hover effects, and embedded multimedia.

The most important rules still apply to ALL resumes; clean neat formatting, with consistency in where the reader will access key information continues to be your driving force.

Designers should contact their career centers to discuss what resume style might best suit their professional goals.

Digital Resumes

A digital resume is an electronic version of a traditional resume that highlights an individual's professional experience, skills, and achievements using digital formats.

Either shared as a PDF or hosted on a personal website, this format allows for enhanced interactivity and multimedia integration. Digital resumes often feature creative layouts, embedded links to portfolios, and interactive elements such as hover effects or animations.

They enable candidates to visually demonstrate their technical and design skills, making them particularly popular in creative and tech industries. The goal of a digital resume is to highlight qualifications, but also provide a dynamic and engaging avenue for potential employers to assess a candidate’s capabilities.

Student Athletes

As a UMass athlete, you learn incredible transferable skills in areas such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. You also spend more time at your activity than most, so make sure they see all your greatness in action.

“Effectively managed communications between 24 team members, served as liaison connecting team and coaching staff, and effectively resolved intra-group conflicts.”

“Excellent time management skills. Balanced a 30+ hour practice, training, competition, and travel schedule while balancing full academic course load.