A bachelor’s degree is a significant academic achievement and a foundational element of professional credibility on a resume. Presenting this information clearly and precisely is important to satisfy applicant tracking systems (ATS) and make a positive impression on human reviewers. The education section must be formatted and placed strategically so your qualifications are immediately recognized. Proper formatting ensures this academic milestone supports your application without taking attention away from other accomplishments.
Where to Place the Education Section
The placement of the education section depends directly on your current experience level. For recent graduates (those with five or fewer years of professional work experience), the section should be positioned near the top of the document. Placing it directly after your contact information and summary prioritizes your academic background, which is likely your strongest qualification at this early stage.
Conversely, professionals with more than five years of relevant work experience should position the education section further down the resume. Your career accomplishments and hands-on skills become the primary focus for experienced candidates. The education section should be placed after the professional experience section to serve as a supporting detail. Regardless of placement, all entries must follow a reverse chronological order, listing your most recent or highest degree first.
Mandatory Details for Listing Your Degree
A completed bachelor’s degree requires the inclusion of five specific elements to be considered complete and compliant on a resume.
- The full, unabbreviated name of the institution that conferred the degree.
- The city and state or country where the campus is located.
- The degree type (e.g., Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.)).
- The full Major or Area of Study (e.g., “in Economics” or “in Computer Science”).
- The date of graduation, typically using the month and year, or just the year.
Deciding Which Optional Details to Include
Optional academic details should be included only when they actively strengthen your candidacy for the specific role. Adding information simply because it exists can clutter the resume and dilute the focus on your most relevant qualifications. The decision to include these details should be based on a strategic assessment of their relevance to the job description and your overall professional timeline.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Including your Grade Point Average is recommended only if you are a recent graduate, typically within the first three to five years after graduation. The GPA becomes less relevant as your professional work history provides more substantial evidence of your capabilities. Only include your GPA if it is 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, as a lower score will not enhance your application. If your major GPA is significantly higher and highly relevant to the job, you may list it, ensuring you specify which GPA you are presenting.
Academic Honors and Awards
Academic honors and awards should be included, as they provide measurable evidence of high performance and dedication. This includes institutional distinctions such as the Dean’s List, President’s List, or membership in academic honor societies. Latin honors like Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude are recognized indicators of academic excellence and should be clearly listed alongside the degree entry. These accolades stand as objective proof of achievement immediately understood by recruiters.
Thesis or Capstone Project
A bachelor’s thesis or capstone project should only be detailed if the project is directly and substantially relevant to the position you are seeking. If the project utilized specific software, methodologies, or research applicable to the job description, a brief, one-line entry is warranted. This detail should focus on the skills used or the results achieved, rather than a lengthy description of the topic. Listing the project helps bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application, especially for those with limited professional experience.
How to List Non-Standard Degree Situations
Job seekers occasionally encounter educational situations that do not fit the standard format of a single, completed degree. These scenarios require careful and precise phrasing to accurately represent your academic status without misrepresenting your qualifications. Using clear, standardized language is important to maintain credibility with hiring managers.
When listing a degree that is currently in progress, you should include the institution, location, degree type, and major, just as you would for a completed degree. The key difference lies in the date field, where you must clearly state the “Expected Graduation” date using the month and year. This phrasing indicates that you are actively pursuing the degree and provides a timeline for when the qualification will be finalized.
If you have earned multiple bachelor’s degrees or a bachelor’s and a subsequent graduate degree, list them in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recently earned credential. Each degree should be presented as a separate entry, following the standard format of institution, location, degree type, major, and graduation date. Treating them as individual accomplishments ensures that each degree receives the proper weight and clarity.
For those who completed significant coursework but did not finish the degree, or transferred schools, avoid implying that a degree was earned. Instead, you should list the institution name, location, and the dates of attendance, followed by relevant coursework completed. This approach showcases the relevant knowledge and credits earned without claiming the degree itself, for example, “Completed 90 credits toward a B.A. in Psychology.”
Final Formatting and Consistency Tips
The final presentation of the education section should prioritize visual clarity and consistency across the entire resume. Use bolding or italics selectively to emphasize the most important elements, such as the Degree Type or the Institution Name. Maintaining a uniform font and size throughout the document is important for a polished, professional appearance.
Ensure that the date format is consistent for all entries in the education and experience sections. Brevity is paramount, and each degree entry should ideally be contained within one to three lines. This concise formatting makes the education section highly scannable, allowing recruiters to quickly verify your credentials.