The education section is a standard component of any resume, providing a snapshot of your academic background. How you detail this information can shift depending on where you are in your professional journey. For some, it is a primary qualification, while for others, it is a foundational detail.
Core Information to Include
Every education section must contain four fundamental pieces of information to meet the expectations of hiring managers. First, include the full official name of the institution you attended. Following this, provide the school’s location, including the city and state.
Next, you must write out the full, official name of your degree, such as “Bachelor of Arts” rather than just “B.A.” This formality is important for applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes for keywords, as well as for professional presentation. Providing both the full name and the abbreviation, like “Bachelor of Arts (B.A.),” can satisfy different search queries.
Finally, state your graduation date, including the month and year. This timeline helps employers understand your career trajectory.
Optional Information to Add
Beyond the basics, you can include supplementary details to strengthen your profile, which is particularly useful for those with limited professional experience. These additions provide a more comprehensive view of your academic achievements and specialized knowledge. They allow you to highlight specific qualifications that align with the job you are seeking.
GPA
Including your Grade Point Average (GPA) is a strategic choice. The general guideline is to list your GPA only if it is 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A high GPA can signal strong academic performance and a dedicated work ethic to potential employers. When you do list it, it should be clearly formatted, for instance, as “GPA: 3.8/4.0,” and placed within your education entry.
Dean’s List and Academic Honors
Academic honors demonstrate a high level of achievement. You can list distinctions like magna cum laude or summa cum laude directly next to your GPA or on a separate line within the degree entry. If you made the Dean’s List multiple times, it is worth noting this achievement as well.
Relevant Coursework
Listing relevant coursework can be especially beneficial for students, recent graduates, or individuals changing careers. Select three to five upper-level courses that directly relate to the requirements of the job you are applying for. This tactic helps bridge the gap when professional experience is limited.
Minor or Concentration
If you completed a minor or a specific concentration as part of your degree, it is valuable to include it. Listing a minor, such as “Minor in Economics,” or a concentration shows you have pursued specialized knowledge beyond your major. This can be a significant advantage when applying for roles that require expertise in that particular area.
Formatting and Placement on Your Resume
The way you format and position your education section has a direct impact on how a recruiter perceives your qualifications. A standard format involves listing the degree and major on the first line, followed by the name of the institution on the second line. The institution’s location and your graduation date typically follow.
The placement of this section is a strategic decision based on your level of professional experience. For recent graduates with less than three to five years of experience, the education section should be placed prominently at the top of the resume, directly following the contact information and summary. This positioning highlights academic achievements when work history is not extensive.
Conversely, for seasoned professionals with a substantial work history, the education section should be moved to the bottom of the resume. In this case, your professional accomplishments and skills are more relevant to the employer and should take precedence.
Handling Special Circumstances
If you are currently enrolled in a degree program, you should list your “Expected Graduation: Month Year” to show your ongoing commitment and when you will be available. This clarifies your status for potential employers.
For those with multiple degrees, the standard practice is to list them in reverse chronological order, with the most recent degree appearing first. Each degree should have its own entry with the institution, location, and graduation date. If you have an incomplete degree, you can still include this experience by writing “Some College” or listing the number of credits completed toward a specific major, such as “Completed 90 credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Biology.”
Non-degree programs like professional certifications or intensive bootcamps should also be featured, often in a dedicated “Certifications” or “Professional Development” section. This placement keeps the education section focused on traditional degrees while still showcasing your additional training and specialized skills.