The education section of your resume offers a concise summary of your formal training and qualifications, giving employers a clear picture of your academic background. How you present this information can change depending on your career level and the specifics of your schooling. Understanding what to include and how to format this section helps you present your qualifications effectively. This guide will walk you through creating an education section that accurately reflects your background.
Core Information to Include
When listing your education, there are several pieces of information that every entry must contain to meet employer expectations. Always start with the name of the institution you attended, followed by its location, including the city and state. This provides necessary context, especially for smaller or less-known schools.
Following the school’s information, you must clearly state the degree you earned, such as a “Bachelor of Arts” or “Master of Science.” Paired with your degree should be your major or primary field of study, for instance, “Psychology” or “Mechanical Engineering.” Lastly, include your graduation month and year to give a clear timeline. Listing these elements in reverse chronological order, with your most recent degree first, is the standard and preferred format.
For example, a standard entry would look like this:
University of Texas at Austin – Austin, TX
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, May 2023
Where to Place the Education Section
The placement of your education section on your resume is determined by your professional experience. The top of your resume should showcase your most impactful qualifications for a specific role. The decision of where to put this section hinges on whether your education or your work history is your biggest selling point for the job you are targeting.
For current students, recent graduates, or those with limited professional history, the education section should be placed prominently at the top of the resume. It should appear directly after your contact information and resume summary. At this stage of your career, your academic background is likely your most relevant asset to an employer.
Conversely, for professionals with a few years of relevant work experience, the education section moves to the bottom. It should be listed after your professional experience and skills sections. Once you have established a track record of achievements in the workplace, that experience becomes the primary focus for hiring managers, and your educational history serves as a foundational credential.
Adding Optional Details
Beyond the core components, you can include several optional details to enhance your education entry, especially if you are a recent graduate. One of the most common additions is your Grade Point Average (GPA). Only include your GPA if it is 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. If you graduated more than a few years ago, it’s generally recommended to omit your GPA regardless of the score.
Academic honors and awards are another valuable addition. Information such as graduating cum laude, making the Dean’s List, or receiving specific scholarships can be listed to showcase academic excellence. For distinctions like the Dean’s List, it’s most impactful if you achieved the honor consistently and are a recent graduate. Latin honors, however, can be included for both recent and experienced hires.
Including a “Relevant Coursework” subsection can be beneficial if you lack extensive work experience but have completed studies directly related to the job’s requirements. Listing three to five specific courses can demonstrate specialized knowledge. For example, a marketing applicant might list “Marketing Strategy, Public Relations Basics, Consumer Behavior.”
Other details like a minor, a thesis, or study abroad experiences can also be included. A minor can be listed next to your major, while a thesis title can be added for research-heavy roles. A study abroad experience can be formatted as a separate entry under your main degree, noting the institution and location.
How to List Incomplete or Alternative Education
Not everyone’s educational path follows a traditional route, and your resume can be formatted to reflect your specific situation accurately and positively. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program, you should list it just as you would a completed degree but replace the graduation date with an “Expected Graduation Date.” This clearly communicates your student status and when you anticipate finishing your studies.
For a degree that you started but did not finish and do not plan to complete, honesty is important. You can list the university, the timeframe you attended, and the program you were in. A common way to phrase this is “Coursework toward a Bachelor of Science in Biology” or by noting the number of credits completed, such as “Completed 64 credit hours toward a BS in Computer Science.” This approach honestly represents your experience without being deceptive.
Professional certifications and licenses often fit best in a dedicated “Certifications” or “Professional Development” section. However, if a specific certification is highly relevant to your degree or the job you are applying for, you might include it within the education section. This helps to consolidate your most pertinent qualifications in one place.
A high school diploma or GED should only appear on your resume if it is your highest level of education. Once you have attended any college, you can remove your high school information. The focus should always be on your highest and most relevant academic achievements.