Deciding whether to include an Associate’s degree on a resume when a Bachelor’s degree has also been earned is a common dilemma for job seekers. There is no universal answer; the approach depends on the specific job application, the degrees’ relevance, and your professional history. A resume is a tailored marketing document, not a complete academic history, meaning every inclusion must actively contribute to your candidacy. Listing the Associate’s degree is a strategic choice that requires weighing its value against the constraints of resume space and reader attention.
The General Rule of Thumb
The standard for resume education sections is to list only the highest degree achieved, especially when the lower degree served as a direct prerequisite or stepping stone. If the Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree was completed at a community college and then transferred directly to a four-year institution for a Bachelor’s degree in the same field, it is generally omitted. Hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) typically assume foundational education was completed to reach the advanced degree level. Omitting the earlier degree keeps the resume concise and focused on the highest credential.
Scenarios Where Including the Associate’s Degree is Beneficial
The Associate’s degree should be included when it provides distinct, non-redundant information that strengthens your application.
Different Field of Study
Including the Associate’s degree is beneficial when it represents a field of study different from your Bachelor’s degree, showcasing a broader, complementary skill set. For example, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Computer-Aided Design demonstrates versatility and a mix of creative and technical competencies. This dual focus appeals to employers seeking candidates with interdisciplinary knowledge.
Highly Relevant Technical Skills or Certifications
The Associate’s degree often provides specific technical training or vocational skills that a more theoretical Bachelor’s program may not cover. If the A.A.S. program resulted in a licensure, a specialized certification, or hands-on training directly related to the target job, you should include it.
Filling a Significant Time Gap
Listing the Associate’s degree can account for a significant time gap between high school and the completion of the Bachelor’s degree. If several years passed between high school and the start of your four-year program, listing the two-year degree provides a clear, consecutive timeline of your academic progression. This prevents recruiters from questioning periods of inactivity on your resume.
Localized Recruiting Focus
Inclusion is advisable if the institution where you earned the Associate’s degree is locally recognized or if the employer recruits from that community college. When applying for a job in the same regional area, the institution’s name can carry a powerful local reputation. This local recognition may give you an advantage over candidates from distant or less-known institutions.
Reasons to Exclude the Associate’s Degree
There are strong strategic reasons to omit the Associate’s degree, primarily related to space and focus. The standard one-page resume format for most professionals requires efficient use of limited space, and every inclusion must justify its presence.
If the Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees are in the same or highly similar fields, and the Associate’s degree did not result in unique qualifications, it creates redundancy that only serves to clutter the resume. This redundancy forces the reader to process unnecessary information and dilutes the impact of your higher degree. Furthermore, if you are a seasoned professional with ten or more years of relevant work experience, your professional history should occupy the majority of the resume space. Earliest academic achievements become less important than recent professional accomplishments, making the Associate’s degree a candidate for omission.
Optimal Formatting When You Decide to Include Both
When the Associate’s degree is valuable enough to include, strategic formatting ensures it does not distract from your higher credential. The education section should be arranged in reverse chronological order, listing the Bachelor’s degree first as the highest academic achievement. The Associate’s degree should follow, presented in a condensed format to save space and maintain focus.
A condensed listing for the earlier degree should include only the degree type, institution name, and location. You can omit the graduation date, GPA, and any accompanying bullet points for coursework, especially if the degree was earned several years ago. The two degrees should be clearly grouped under a single “Education” header to present a unified academic history.
Education Section Best Practices
Maintaining consistent formatting throughout the education section is important regardless of which degrees you include. Always use the full name of the degree, such as “Bachelor of Science in Finance,” rather than just the abbreviation, unless space is limited or the abbreviation is universally recognized. List the institution name, city, and state to provide complete context for the credential.
You should only include your Grade Point Average (GPA) if it is high (typically 3.5 or above) or if you are a recent graduate with limited professional experience. Once you have a few years of relevant work history, the GPA should be removed, as professional achievements become the primary focus of the resume. The goal is to ensure the education section is a concise, credible record that quickly demonstrates the necessary qualifications.