Education is one of the key sections employers always look for on a resume.
Adding the information about your educational background to your resume is the best way to show off your skills and qualifications. You want people reading your resume to see all the great things you've learned and recognize that they need someone like you on their team. It will help them understand who you are as a professional, what skill set you have, and what value they'll get if they hire you.
As such, education is an essential element of any resume.
Even though listing education on a resume may seem straightforward, it's not always easy to know what information should go to the resume education section or how best to format it.
If you want to make it perfect, read on to learn the following:
Throughout the article, you'll find examples for all educational levels and scenarios, from incomplete high school, to college degrees in progress and unfinished higher education or ongoing online courses.
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Ok, let's start with the basics!
Do You Need to List Education on a Resume?
The education section is one of the few mandatory sections on a resume. It's also the second most important part of it, right behind the work experience.
The education section is the second most important part of a resume, right behind the work experience.
The main purpose of this section is to provide insight into the credentials you have obtained and additional courses you have taken.
Recruiters and hiring managers always look for this information because it helps them get a clear picture of your background and skill set. It informs them about your capabilities and knowledge you can bring to the table, helping them understand your fit for the job.
Although the education section may be irrelevant for some jobs, like retail positions where most employees don't need formal qualifications to be successful in their roles, employers still expect to see this info.
On the other hand, if your educational background is closely related to the job or includes any credentials required for the position, this section will give you a competitive edge and be one of your strongest selling points.
So, don't sell yourself short by omitting or downplaying it on your resume. Always add education to your resume.
If you don't have any education, training, certifications or credentials whatsoever, don't worry!
In this case, you can skip this section while emphasizing other parts of your resume to highlight your value. Alternatively, read about what you can do if you don't have relevant qualifications.
What to Include in the Education Section?
Knowing what to include in the education section on a resume is essential for moving forward in the hiring process.
Employers always look for this information, so it needs to be written in a concise and clear way for them to understand how your credentials match the job requirements.
When putting together your resume, add the following:
School name and location
Your degree
Your major (if applicable)
Your minor (if applicable)
Graduation year (month & year if possible)
The above information is mandatory for creating a concise and informative education section that a potential employer will easily read and understand.
What Else Can be Added to the Education Section?
If you have limited work experience, adding information about other academic achievements to your education section is a smart way to accentuate your qualifications.
In this case, consider extending the education section with the following details:
GPA (if you're a recent graduate and your GPA is high; if you had a GPA lower than 3.5, leave this information out unless employers request it)
Academic achievements (honors and awards)
Internships completed as part of a curriculum
Academic scholarships or sponsorships
Coursework completed
Relevant projects
Extracurricular activities
Add internships, coursework, project and extracurricular activities if they add value to your application and relate closely to the job requirements.
Bear in mind that all of the above is optional information that should be put on a resume only if you have limited work experience, so the education section is the place where you need to accentuate your skills and knowledge.
Still, remember that this information works in your favor only if it's directly related to a job vacancy you're applying for.
Where to Put Education on a Resume?
Many job seekers automatically place their education section at the bottom of their resumes.
However, it's better to be strategic about it since the position of the education section actually depends on the level of experience.
Adding education to a resume when you have some work experience:
If you are an experienced professional with over 3 years of work experience, your education section should go after your work experience and be formatted like any other part of your resume.
This means it should be listed in reverse chronological order and include all relevant information such as school, location, degrees earned, and end dates for each degree program.
If you have completed a college degree, omit your high school information.
Here is the summary of the most important rules for formatting the education section for experienced job seekers:
Put the education section below your experience.
Start with the highest degree first and follow the reverse chronology when listing qualifications.
Skip the high school information if you obtained a college degree.
Add the basic information only, including school, location, degree and graduation date.
Don't add an outdated GPA or coursework as it's not relevant anymore.
Adding education to a resume when you have little to no work experience:
If you have recently graduated and have no work experience yet, then different rules apply.
In this case, the education section is a crucial part of your resume. It's the central place on your resume where you can elaborate on your skills and knowledge and provide details on the value you can bring to your future employer.
If you can add any group leadership positions, courses, projects or internships that are related to the job you're applying for, then be sure to include them in your resume.
As such, it should come before any other sections on the resume.
Also, you should provide details only about those degrees which relate directly to the job vacancy.
Here is the summary of the most important rules for formatting the education section when you have little to no experience:
Put the education section above your experience.
Start with the highest degree first and follow the reverse chronological order when listing qualifications.
Skip the high school information if you obtained a college degree.
Extend the education section by providing more details about relevant coursework, projects, honors and awards.
Don't add a GPA if it's lower than 3.5 unless requested by an employer.
How to Add Different Levels of Education?
Even though listing education history may come across as easy, best practices for describing education vary depending on the education level.
Read on to learn how to add high school, completed college degrees, unfinished higher education, relevant coursework, academic honors or an online course to your resume.
Adding high school education to a resume
Including high school education in a resume is simple. Just add the name of your high school, location and graduation date. That's it.
Queens High School For The Sciences At York College (New York, NY) | 2015
If you haven't gained the high school diploma yet, add the expected graduation date:
Queens High School For The Sciences At York College (New York, NY)
Expected to graduate in 2022.
Or, if you haven't graduated high school, then specify the years you attended:
Queens High School For The Sciences At York College (New York, NY)
Attended school from 2013 to 2015.
Remember that you should list high school education only if it's the highest completed education.
If you have completed a college degree, you don't have to list your high school diploma.
Adding completed college degrees to a resume
If you obtained an undergraduate or graduate college degree, add it to your resume in the following format:
MA in Psychology 09/2020
New York University (New York, NY)
BA in Psychology 08/2017
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto (Porto, Portugal)
To make it even easier, here are a few practical tips:
You can choose to spell out your degree or use the shorter form - 'Bachelor's Degree in Arts' or 'BA' (or B.A. - both are fine).
Double-check if your degrees are science or arts degrees - Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts (BS or BA; or in case of a master's degree - MS or MA).
You may see somewhere that Bachelor of Arts is abbreviated as A.B. The difference arises when the bachelor's degree diploma is in English (BA) or Latin (AB). But there is no other difference besides the order of the letters. They are both a Bachelor of Arts.
When deciding whether to spell out or use the shorter form of the college degree, it's best to check how employers have written it in the job ad and apply the same approach. This way, you'll improve the chances of matching your resume content with their applicant tracking system (ATS).
You can separate your degree from major and minor with a comma or write out the full name - 'MA, Psychology' or 'MA in Psychology'.
Whichever option you choose from above, make sure you apply it consistently throughout the education section.
Adding unfinished higher education to a resume
Don't despair if you attended college but haven't completed a college degree. You can still add the credits obtained or completed courses to your resume.
In this case, specify the second-highest level of education you've fully completed - either a lower college degree or high school. And make sure it's clear that it's an incomplete education level, not to deceive employers.
New York University (New York, NY) 2017 - 2019
Completed 50 credits towards MA in Social Psychology
Alternatively, if you're still obtaining a degree, add this information to your resume in the following form:
MA in Psychology (in progress)
New York University (New York, NY)
Better yet, specify the expected date of graduation:
MA in Psychology / Expected Graduation Year 2022
New York University (New York, NY)
Adding coursework to a resume
Coursework allows you to explain more about the knowledge you gained with the subject you studied.
Adding relevant coursework makes your resume look more informative and professional.
It allows recruiters and hiring managers to see more information about your skill set and proves you have transferable skills to bring to the position.
For example, if you're applying for a digital marketing specialist position and you studied business administration, you can list a few relevant courses you took in college.
BA in Business Administration 11/2020
New York Institute of Technology (New York, NY)
Coursework: Digital Marketing, Principles of Marketing Research, International Marketing, New Product Development and Marketing
As in the examples above, when adding this information to a resume, don't copy the entire curriculum. Make sure to add only the relevant coursework and aim at having only three to five courses on the list.
Adding academic honors to a resume
Unique honorary titles and awards give you a competitive edge and help you stand out from the rest.
If you received any academic distinctions for high academic achievement (summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude), make sure to add them to your education.
Also, list other academic recognitions and awards such as Dean's List, scholarships, honor societies, etc. Those academic honors will be taken into consideration by recruiters and hiring managers, and give you a serious advantage over other candidates.
Magna Cum Laude Example
BS in Civil Engineering 05/2020
King's College (Pennsylvania, PA)
Honors: Magna Cum Laude (GPA: 3.8/4.0)
Dean's List Example
BA in Applied Mathematics 06/2020
Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
GPA: 3.7/4.0, Dean's List for six semesters
Scholarship Example
BA in Business Administration 09/2020
New York Institute of Technology (New York, NY)
Jefferson Award, 2016–2020: Four-year full-tuition scholarship awarded for academic excellence in high school.
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Adding an online course to a resume
To list an online course on a resume, follow the same logic as with other types of education.
Add information such as course name, online course academy or institution and completion date - preferably both month and year.
Python for Data Science, AI & Development 07/2021
IBM Course at Coursera
If you're still attending the course, inform the reader it’s still ongoing or in progress:
Python for Data Science, AI & Development (in progress)
IBM Course at Coursera
Here are a few more practical tips:
If you have completed lots of online courses, select those related to the job you're applying for.
If the list of relevant online courses is extensive, consider separating them from other qualifications. Create a separate category called 'Online Courses' 'Online Certifications' or 'Further Education', and add them there.
Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. So, don't add more than three to four courses to your resume, especially if their topics are not closely connected with the job opening.
Preferably, add online courses with which you gained a certificate of completion.
Adding education to a resume when you have too many credentials
If you have too many credentials or more than one degree, start listing education from the most recent one and move to older ones later in the resume.
MSc in International Finance 12/2020
ESSCA School of Management (Paris, France)
BSc in International Management 04/2017
ESSCA School of Management (Paris, France)
BA in Liberal Arts and Humanities 09/2009
SUNY Alfred State College (Alfred, NY)
Also, don't feel pressured to add all of them.
Job descriptions are there to help you determine what experience and qualifications employers look for in candidates. So, use the job posting to identify which of your degrees or credentials are relevant to the job you're applying for and list only those.
Use the job posting to identify which of your degrees or credentials are relevant to the job you're applying for and list only those.
You can also omit older degrees as they are not as important as the new ones.
For example, if you're applying for an administrative assistant position at a certain company where your duties would involve answering phones and scheduling appointments, you would list and provide further details about your bachelor's degree in Communications from ABC University because it relates directly to these tasks. On the other hand, you should just briefly mention information about your bachelor's degree in Mathematics or omit it because it doesn't relate specifically to this job opening.
Practical Tips for Formatting Education Section on a Resume
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If you want to format the education section on your own, there are a few key points to keep in mind.
Highlight your 'Education' heading, and directly under it, add the details about your college degrees, courses and high school.
List education in reverse chronological order by starting with the most recent information first.
Strategically choose the leading information. For example, if your major is relevant to the job you're applying for, put it first and then follow with the school name. Alternatively, if your major is not related to the position, lead with the school and then list a degree.
For a polished and professional look, apply the same formatting style to this section of your resume as to the rest of the document. Use the same font style for the heading and titles as you used for the work experience.
Education on a resume shouldn't take up too much space. If a piece of your education history is hanging on the second page of your resume, try to condense it to fit your resume to one page.
To compress it, make sure that the education section is written in a concise and easy-to-read format. If possible, put the information about each level of education in one or two rows. To do so, separate the critical information with commas, brackets or dividers.
Here are a few examples:
BA in Liberal Arts and Humanities, SUNY Alfred State College (Alfred, NY) 09/2009
BA in Liberal Arts and Humanities 09/2009
SUNY Alfred State College (Alfred, NY)
BA in Liberal Arts and Humanities | SUNY Alfred State College | Alfred, NY 09/2009
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What to do if you don't have relevant qualifications?
Having relevant qualifications can give your resume an always-welcome boost.
But what do you do if your education is not relevant to a particular job opening?
For instance, there is an opening for a social media specialist, and your previous work experience is in the field of Russian language teaching. In this situation, you should focus on 'quick wins'.
Quick wins are courses, certificates or credentials you can enroll in or obtain in a short period of time.
When added to a resume, they prove that you have at least a basic understanding of the matter and show an employer that you are motivated and proactive in building relevant skills.
Quick wins are courses, certificates or credentials you can enroll in or obtain in a short period of time. When added to a resume, they prove that you have at least a basic understanding of the matter and show an employer that you are motivated and proactive in building relevant skills.
They can be handy in many situations, especially if you are looking for a new job after a career break or if you're considering a career change.
From the employers' perspective, seeing recent learnings or credentials shows that you are self-disciplined and motivated to continually upskill yourself and build your knowledge - which is always a plus in a competitive job market.
Here are a few 'quick win' options to consider:
1. Re-enroll in a class
If you have a certificate, degree or any other proof of training in your desired industry but it's outdated, re-enroll in a class to refresh your memory and update your resume with more recent credentials.
This may not be possible with college degrees, but online learning programs or courses frequently grant you life-long access, so double-check if you can retake classes or courses you have completed online.
2. Learn a specialized skill with an online program from your school
Online programs are a great way to expand your knowledge and skills.
Besides providing lessons in a shorter, less-time consuming format, attending an online program is convenient as it allows you to learn at your own pace and schedule from the comfort of your home - maybe even while working a full-time job. Even if you are tight on a budget, many schools allow students to take courses online for free.
There are many online courses that you can take to learn various skills on your own.
A great place to start is by checking if your former school or college offers any online programs.
By obtaining an additional certificate at a former school, you may get a discounted price as their alumni while showcasing on your resume that you're investing in your professional development.
3. Take a course from Coursera, Udemy, or other online learning platform
Online course academies offer a variety of affordable courses that can help you upgrade existing or learn new skills.
Some popular websites for such training are:
Filter courses that provide a completion certificate at the end to ensure you have official proof of your newfound knowledge that can be added to your resume and attached to job applications.
Completing online courses and adding them to a resume is a great way to grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. It's a small yet significant piece of information that proves that you were motivated enough to invest in upskilling yourself.
Key Takeaways
Education on a resume is the second most important part of it, right behind the professional experience.
As evident from its title, this section entails information about your schooling background, such as the schools you attended and the degrees you obtained.
Qualifications are always specified in job descriptions among the key requirements signaling that this information is important for employers when screening candidates, as it gives them insight into how skilled job applicants may be for the open job position.
To provide employers with the most essential information, make sure to include:
Name of the school and location
Degree, diploma or a certificate received
Major and minor
Graduation date
If needed, extend this section with your GPA, relevant coursework, honors and awards, extracurricular activities, and other pieces of information related to the job posting.
The placement of the education section differs between experienced professionals and fresh graduates.
Experienced professionals should emphasize professional experience; hence their education should go below the work history. On the contrary, fresh graduates should highlight the skills and knowledge gained within the curriculum, so the education section is more pertinent and should be placed above the work experience.
To give your resume a polished look, make sure to apply the same formatting style as of the other elements of your resume. Alternatively, download a pre-formatted resume design and impress any hiring manager! ➝
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Final Thoughts & Helpful Resources
Education is one of the main things employers will focus on in your resume.
The key to making a strong education section on a resume is selecting the most relevant information, writing it in a concise way and placing it strategically.
We hope this article helps you find the perfect way to showcase your qualifications.
If you are looking for more information about resume writing, make sure to check our resume cheat sheet and other helpful resources for your job search.
To make your resume shine, we recommend you download one of our resume templates and level up your job application with a professionally formatted resume and cover letter layout.
Ana Colak-Fustin
Hi—I'm Ana! A recruiter, HR consultant, and founder of ByRecruiters.com. My career advice and job search tools have been featured in Yahoo News, The Muse, Jobscan, A Better HR Business, and other global media. Over 8,000 professionals have used my resume templates to land new jobs and power up their careers. Ready to join them? Your success story starts here.