Inconsistent formatting of your degree can confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and detract from your credibility with human reviewers. The precise way you articulate your educational history matters significantly, whether you are submitting a resume or updating a professional profile. Standardized formatting ensures your qualifications are immediately clear, easily scannable, and recognized as legitimate credentials in a competitive job market.
Key Components of Your Academic Credential
A complete academic credential requires three pieces of information to validate your education. The first is the Degree Type, which identifies the level and general field of study, such as a Bachelor of Arts or a Master of Science. The second is the Major or Minor, which specifies the discipline or area of focus, such as Economics or Computer Science. Finally, the Name of the Institution includes the full, formal name of the college or university that granted the degree, along with the city and state.
General Rules for Capitalization and Punctuation
The proper capitalization of academic degrees distinguishes between a specific, formal title and a general reference. Formal degree names are capitalized as proper nouns, such as “Bachelor of Science” or “Master of Business Administration.” When referring to the degree generically, it is lowercased, such as “a bachelor’s degree” or “my master’s in history.” Academic subjects are generally not capitalized unless they are proper nouns, like English or French.
Punctuation in degree abbreviations, such as B.A. or M.S., requires consistency. Some style guides recommend using periods (B.A., M.S.), while others suggest omitting them (BA, MS). Choose one style and apply it uniformly to all abbreviations listed. Possessive forms use an apostrophe, as in “bachelor’s degree,” but this is omitted when listing the formal title.
Formatting Degrees for Resumes and Job Applications
The primary objective when formatting degrees on a resume is to make the information highly scannable for both human recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems. Degrees should be presented in reverse chronological order, listing the most recent or highest degree earned first. For most candidates, the education section is placed after work experience, though recent graduates may place it near the top.
A standard layout begins with the full Degree Type and Major, followed by the Institution’s name, its location, and the graduation date. Candidates often list the full degree name followed by the abbreviation in parentheses, such as “Master of Science (M.S.).” This practice helps ensure the document is compliant with ATS keyword searches, which may be programmed to recognize either the full title or the abbreviation.
An acceptable format is: Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Finance, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA | May 2022. Alternatively, candidates can prioritize the institution: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA | Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Finance | May 2022. Regardless of the order chosen, use a simple month and year for the graduation date and present the information on a single, compact line.
Formatting Degrees in Professional Signatures and Bios
For professional signatures, business cards, and formal bios, degrees are presented in a concise, post-nominal format, appearing after the name. Only the highest or most relevant degree is usually listed to maintain a clean appearance.
The degree is almost always abbreviated and separated from the name by a comma, such as “Jane Doe, Ph.D.” or “John Smith, M.A.” This usage focuses on quick validation of academic credentials, distinct from the detailed resume format. When listing multiple degrees post-nominally, separate them with commas, selecting only those directly relevant to the professional role.
Handling Specialized Academic Situations
Multiple Degrees
When a candidate holds more than one degree, list them in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recently conferred degree. This ordering highlights the highest level of education achieved. If the degrees are in different fields, list them as separate entries to ensure each academic pursuit is clearly recognized.
For example, a Master of Arts would be listed before a Bachelor of Science, even if earned at the same institution. If two degrees are closely related, such as a dual major or a major with a minor, they can be listed on the same line with the minor clearly demarcated.
Academic Honors and Distinction
Latin honors, such as cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude, should be included directly following the relevant degree within the education section. These distinctions are typically written in lowercase and italicized, maintaining consistency with the official diploma. Placing the honor inline with the degree—for example, “Bachelor of Arts in History, magna cum laude”—is the most common and space-efficient method.
If a candidate has received numerous academic accolades, such as Dean’s List recognition or scholarships, a separate “Awards and Honors” section can be created. This approach prevents the education entry from becoming overly dense and allows the primary degree information to remain concise. Including Latin honors is especially impactful for recent graduates, where academic performance is a primary metric of success.
Degrees In Progress or Pending
It is appropriate to list a degree that is currently in progress, particularly when the expected completion date is within the next year. To clearly indicate the status, the degree entry should include the expected graduation month and year, using a phrase like “Expected Graduation: May 2026.”
Candidates should include the full name of the degree and the institution, along with the dates attended. If a degree was started but not completed, the entry should clearly state “Coursework toward” the degree name and list the dates of attendance. The information must be accurate and avoid any misleading suggestion that the degree has already been conferred.