3 key takeaways
- Learn how to list education on a resume, with examples
- Discover what to include in a resume education section, and formatting best practices
- Learn how Teal's AI Resume Builder and Design Mode can help you create and format a standout Education section—fast.
Listing your education on a resume might seem straightforward at first glance. But the way you present your academic credentials can significantly impact how employers perceive your qualifications and potential.
Whether you're a recent graduate highlighting your degree, a professional showcasing advanced certifications, or someone changing careers and emphasizing relevant coursework, your education section needs to be strategically crafted to align with each job application.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn exactly how to list education on your resume—from what information to include and where to place it, to how to format multiple degrees and handle incomplete education. We'll cover everything you need to know to make your academic achievements work harder for your career goals.
What to put in the education section of a resume
The education section of your resume should provide insight into your academic background, including your achievements, awards, degrees and coursework.
Here's what you should include in your resume:
- A clear section heading
- Degree name and area of study
- Name of school
- Location
- Graduation month and year or anticipated graduation month and year
- Optional:
- Grade point average (GPA) if it's 3.8 or above
- Major and minor
- Academic achievements, relevant courses, awards
- Extracurricular activities, programs, accolades, associations
What employers look for in your resume education section
One of the first things employers want to know from your resume is whether or not you have the qualifications that meet the requirements for the position.
Your academic history, combined with your work experience, help paint a complete picture of your capabilities and potential fit for the role.
Beyond verifying academic qualifications such as a degree or area of study, employers examine your educational background to gain additional insight into your skill set and experience.
Pro Tip: Use Teal's Design Mode to rearrange and organize your academic credentials with pre-built sections designed to highlight your educational background.
Where to put education on a resume
Where you list your education on a resume will vary depending on your experience level and how relevant your academic background is to the job.
Where to put education as a student
If you’re a student, have minimal, or no work experience, your education section becomes the centerpiece of your resume, and should be placed just below your resume summary.
Where to put education as a recent graduate
As a recent graduate, the best place to put your education section will vary depending on your work experience. If you don't have work experience, you'll want to place your education section just below your professional summary. For recent graduates with work experience, you'll want to place your education after your work experience section.
Where to put education as an experienced professional
If you're an experienced professional, position your education section after your work experience.
How to list education on a resume
A well-crafted education section does more than list degrees—it strategically presents your academic achievements in a way that reinforces your qualifications and demonstrates your readiness for the role.
Whether you're a student, recent graduate or an experienced professional, here’s how to list education on a resume to make sure your qualifications and academic accomplishments stand out.
1. List your education in reverse chronological order: Start with your most recent education and work backward. This ensures that the most relevant and highest level of education is emphasized.
2. Include key details: Include the degree title, the name of the institution, the location (city and state), and your graduation date or anticipated graduation date.
3. Tailor your education to the job description: Focus on the areas of your education that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.
4. Keep formatting consistent: Use consistent formatting throughout, including font size, style, margins and alignment.
5. Use a clear and simple layout: Ensure your education is easy to read by using bullet points or short descriptions to highlight key achievements or courses.
6. Exclude outdated information: If you've been in the workforce for a while, or completed studies that are irrelevant to the job, consider excluding these from your education section.
Resume education section for recent graduates
As a recent graduate, use your education section to highlight your college degree, GPA, relevant classes, academic recognitions, and any other projects that align with the role you're applying for. Here's an example of a resume education section for a recent graduate:
Resume education section for mid-career professionals
For mid-career professionals, your education section should emphasize the degrees that have shaped your expertise. Focus on your highest qualifications, such as a master's degree and bachelor's degree. You can also include your major and minor if these are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Here's an example education section for a mid-career professional:
Resume education section for senior-level professionals
At the senior level, your education section should focus on the highest level of education you've completed, such as a master's degree or doctorate––however, if the job you're applying for requires a specific type of degree or other foundational qualification, you’ll want to include those as well.
Here's an example education section for a senior-level professional:
Resume education section for changing careers
When changing careers, your education section should still include your degree, even if it's not directly related to your new field. If you don't have any work experience that aligns with the job you're applying for, you can create a more comprehensive education section with projects, courses, or experiences that demonstrate transferable skills.
Here's an example of a resume education section for career changers:
How to list education on a resume as a student
As a student, adding your academic achievements, relevant classes, projects or extracurricular activities to your resume can help demonstrate your qualifications, especially if you have an experience gap.
An education section for a student should include details like a degree in progress, the name of the school, an expected graduation date, along with any honors, awards, or relevant projects.
Resume education section for high school students
For high school students, your education section should highlight your school experience and relevant accomplishments. This can include your GPA, relevant courses, and involvement in activities that demonstrate skills applicable to the job you're pursuing.
Here's an example of a resume education section for high school students:
Resume education section for college students
As a college student, your education section should include whether you're working on a bachelor's or associate degree, along with your expected graduation date. Highlight relevant classes, academic honors, and any key projects that align with the job you're applying for.
Here’s how to list education on your resume as a college student:
How to format education on a resume
Whether you have multiple degrees, specialized classes, or relevant projects, properly formatting your education section makes it easy for hiring managers to see your academic experience and qualifications. Let's dive into how to format the various details you would include as a part of your education section.
How to list degree on a resume
To add a degree to your resume, you’ll want to include the title, area of study or specialization, school name, location, and completion date.
Do I need to include my graduation date on my resume?
Including your graduation date is always recommended. It provides context about when you completed your education and the necessary details for background checks.
How to put multiple degrees on a resume
If you hold multiple degrees, list them in reverse chronological order, with your most recent degree first. Each degree listed should include the title, degree focus, school name, location, and completion date.
Here's how to format multiple degrees on a resume:
How to list major on a resume
Your major is a key indicator of your expertise and should be prominently displayed. List your major directly under your degree to make it clear what field your education focused on.
Here's how to list your major on a resume:
How to list double major on a resume
A double major can show versatility and a strong work ethic. If you've completed a double major, it's important to clearly list both fields of study to highlight the breadth of your education.
Here’s how to list a double major on a resume:
How to list a minor on a resume
A minor complements your major and shows additional areas of study. List your minor after your major to indicate a broader knowledge base.
Here's how to put a minor on a resume:
Note: If you have relevant experience and your minor isn't relevant to the job, it's okay to omit it from your resume.
How to list academic honors on a resume
Being a member of an academic honor society or receiving honors reflects academic excellence and a commitment to your field. Including these societies on your resume can distinguish you from other candidates by showcasing your dedication and achievements.
Here’s how to list honors or academic societies on a resume:
Pro Tip: When listing academic honors, use Teal's Bullet Coach to write impactful achievement bullet points that showcase the value of your academic accomplishments. For example: convert "Dean's List" into "Achieved Dean's List recognition for 6 consecutive semesters while maintaining a 3.9 GPA in Computer Science."
How to list classes on a resume
If your work experience is limited or if you're applying for a position that requires specific knowledge or skills you gained during your studies, you can add those relevant classes to your education section. You’ll want to only include classes or projects that are directly relevant to the job description.
Here’s how to put classes and projects on a resume:
How to list schools on a resume
If you've transferred or attended multiple schools or programs that contribute to your qualifications, be sure to include them. This is particularly important for programs or schools that are highly regarded in your field.
Here’s how to format multiple schools on your resume:
How to put study abroad on a resume
Including study abroad programs on your resume can be incredibly beneficial for positions where language fluency or cultural experience are job requirements. You'll want to format study abroad or exchange programs the same as you would if you transferred schools.
Here’s an example of how to include study abroad on a resume:
How to list in progress or incomplete education on a resume
Similar to a resume for students, listing in-progress or incomplete education shows you have some expertise or knowledge in a specific area, and can help bridge experience gaps if you have limited work history. It's important to only prioritize in-progress or incomplete education that is most relevant and shows your readiness for the job.
How to put in progress degree on a resume
If you're currently pursuing a degree, include it on your resume with your anticipated or expected graduation date. This shows employers that you're actively working toward completing your education.
Here’s how to list a degree that's in progress on a resume:
How to list incomplete degree on resume
If you started a degree program but didn't complete it, it can still be beneficial to include it on your resume if you've gained skills or credentials that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Here’s how to list an incomplete degree on a resume:
How to list continuing education on a resume
Continuing education refers to additional courses, programs, or training you've completed beyond formal education. You can include continuing education in your resume Education section, or choose to create a separate, dedicated section.
How to list professional development on resume
Including professional development courses on your resume can showcase your commitment to learning and staying updated in your field. You may choose to list these in their own section or include them in part of your Education section, directly following your academic credentials.
Here's how to highlight professional development courses on a resume:
Pro Tip: Keep track of your continuing education and professional development courses in Teal's AI Resume Builder––and easily toggle specific credentials on and off to create tailored versions of your resume for different roles.
Resume education section examples
Here are some examples of resume education sections to use for inspiration, and as a visual aid as you create your resume. For more resume inspiration, explore Teal's library of more than 1500+ resume examples.
Resume education section example #1
This example shows the candidates completed degree, area of study, and relevant coursework.
Resume education section example #2
This example shows the candidates completed multiple degrees, emphasizing their expertise in their field.
Create an education section that stands out
Creating an effective education section on your resume requires careful attention to detail and strategic formatting. By following the guidelines and examples above, you can craft an education section that effectively showcases your academic achievements, whether you're a student, recent graduate, seasoned professional, or pivoting careers.
The key to catching the attention of hiring managers, is to tailor your resume to each job application, by highlighting the credentials and accomplishments most relevant to the role you're pursuing.
Make sure your formatting remains consistent and professional throughout your resume, and regularly update your education section as you gain new certifications or complete additional training.
With Teal's AI Resume Builder, you can easily manage different versions of your education section and use Design Mode to customize your layout, ensuring your academic credentials are always presented in the most polished and impactful way. Teal's flexible formatting options make it simple to adjust spacing, fonts, and section placement so your education section looks exactly how you want it.
Ready to take your resume's education section to the next level?
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I list my education if I have not yet completed my degree?
If you're still pursuing your degree, list your education by including the degree you're working towards, your major, the name of the school, and the expected graduation date. For example: "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of XYZ, Expected Graduation: May 2024." This shows prospective employers that you're actively improving your qualifications.
Is it necessary to include high school education on my resume if I have a college degree?
Typically, once you have a college degree, it's not necessary to include your high school education on your resume. Focus on highlighting your highest level of education, relevant courses, and any academic achievements that align with the job you're applying for.
How can I emphasize relevant classes on my resume if I lack professional experience?
If you're new to the workforce, you can emphasize relevant courses by creating a subsection within your education section titled "Relevant Courses." List courses that have provided you with skills or knowledge directly applicable to the job you're targeting. Be selective and choose courses that demonstrate your proficiency in specific areas related to the position.
Should you include supplemental materials?
Including supplemental materials like transcripts or portfolios can add valuable context to your application—if they're relevant. However, these should serve as links in your contact information, allowing employers to easily access them without distracting from the main content of your resume. This keeps the focus on your qualifications while still providing additional depth for those who want to explore further.
What if you don't have the right education?
If your education doesn't perfectly match the job requirements, you can still position yourself as a strong candidate. Focus on highlighting your relevant experience, skills, impact, and other details like relevant certifications throughout the rest of your resume. The key is to show how your unique background equips you for the role, even if it's not the traditional path.
