A double major signals intellectual curiosity and capacity for rigorous, sustained work. This dual specialization offers a broader knowledge base and demonstrates superior time management skills, immediately setting a resume apart. Presenting this accomplishment effectively is paramount, ensuring the combined expertise translates into a measurable professional advantage.
Where to Place the Education Section
The position of the Education section should be dictated by the candidate’s professional trajectory and years of experience. For recent college graduates or those with fewer than five years in the workforce, the Education section belongs near the top, typically right after the Professional Summary. Placing it prominently ensures the highest level of academic achievement is immediately visible to the hiring manager and the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Professionals who have accumulated several years of relevant work history, perhaps a decade or more, should move the Education section to the bottom of the resume. In this scenario, practical experience and quantifiable achievements become the primary focus, relegating academic credentials to a supportive detail. This strategic placement reflects the shifting weight of professional value, prioritizing career momentum over initial academic training.
Formatting the Double Major Credential
The precise method for listing a double major depends on how the university conferred the degree. The most straightforward method involves listing the degree type once, followed by the phrase “Double Major in [Major 1] and [Major 2].” For example, one might write “Bachelor of Arts in Double Major in Economics and Philosophy.” This concise format clearly communicates the scope of study.
In cases where the institution awards two distinct degrees, such as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), they should be listed separately under the same university entry. This format clearly communicates the completion of two different degree programs, often requiring a higher number of credits. Always include the name of the institution, the city, and the graduation date or expected graduation date.
Inclusion of the Grade Point Average (GPA) is optional, but it is recommended only if it is 3.5 or higher, as a lower number does not add value. If the GPA is omitted, the focus shifts to the majors and any associated academic honors. Use full degree names instead of acronyms to ensure clarity for both human readers and automated systems.
Strategic Listing within the Education Section
The order in which the two majors are presented is a deliberate strategic choice, not a reflection of academic priority. Candidates should always list the major most directly aligned with the target job description first. This front-loads the most relevant keyword data for the ATS scan and immediately validates the candidate’s fit for the human reviewer.
For instance, a candidate applying for a finance role who double-majored in Finance and History should list Finance first. This immediate alignment helps the resume pass the initial screening phase quickly. Minors or concentrations should be listed concisely below the two primary majors.
Minors should be listed using a simple format like “Minor in [Subject],” ensuring they do not visually compete with the importance of the two majors. The goal is to present a hierarchy of academic qualifications where the most job-relevant degrees are prominent and easily digestible. Cluttering the section with too many unrelated minors or individual course lists dilutes the impact of the double major credential.
Leveraging Your Dual Expertise in Other Resume Sections
The influence of a double major should extend beyond the Education section. A Professional Summary should synthesize both fields of study, incorporating keywords from both disciplines to create a narrative of integrated expertise. For example, a candidate with a double major in Computer Science and Psychology could describe themselves as a “Data-driven problem solver with expertise in full-stack development and cognitive behavioral analysis.”
The dedicated Skills section should reflect the breadth of the dual degree, moving beyond a simple list of software proficiencies. Showcase the hard skills derived from one major—like statistical modeling or programming languages—alongside the soft skills cultivated in the other, such as advanced research or persuasive communication. This comprehensive skills profile demonstrates versatility and a holistic approach to professional challenges.
The most compelling integration occurs within the Experience section, where bullet points should demonstrate how the dual knowledge was applied to achieve specific results. Candidates should create accomplishment statements that explicitly bridge the two fields. For instance, a project bullet point could describe “Streamlining the user interface design process by applying principles of human-computer interaction (CS) and qualitative research methods (Sociology) to reduce reported errors by 15%.” These examples provide concrete evidence that the academic background translates into measurable professional value.
Highlighting the Value of Unrelated Majors
When the two majors appear disparate, such as Biomedical Engineering and English Literature, the candidate must construct a narrative that unites them. This diversity should be framed not as confusion, but as a sophisticated combination of skills. The pairing demonstrates a capacity for both analytical rigor and nuanced communication, qualities employers value.
The candidate should emphasize the synthesis of these skills, explaining how the technical discipline provided structured problem-solving methods while the humanities field fostered critical thinking and sophisticated narrative construction. This dual proficiency suggests a professional who can solve complex technical problems and effectively communicate the solution and its implications to non-technical stakeholders. This narrative transforms two distinct academic paths into a single, cohesive, and marketable skill set.
Common Errors When Listing Dual Degrees
One frequent mistake is elevating a minor or a concentration to the status of a full major, which misrepresents the academic achievement. A double major involves completing the full requirements for two distinct degree programs, demanding clarity in terminology to avoid misleading the hiring manager. Another common pitfall is the incorrect use of institutional acronyms for the degree itself; always spell out the full name, such as “Bachelor of Science.”
Candidates sometimes confuse a “double major” with a “dual degree,” which may involve two separate schools or two entirely different degree types, requiring careful confirmation of the university’s official designation. Over-listing individual courses is a significant error, as it clutters the resume and suggests a lack of understanding regarding professional priorities. The resume should focus on the result of the education, not the academic syllabus. Ensure that the two majors are listed under the same university entry.