40 Examples How to Write Education in a Resume with Guide

Crafting an application that stands out can be a challenging task, and one crucial element that often needs careful consideration is how to write education in resume.

Your academic background not only highlights your qualifications but also demonstrates your commitment to learning and development.

Whether you're a recent graduate eager to showcase your achievements or a seasoned professional looking to emphasize certifications, presenting your education effectively is key to making a strong impression.

In this article, we'll guide you through the essential steps and best practices for detailing your educational history, ensuring it aligns with your career goals and helps you stand out in a competitive job market.

What should you include in the education section of a resume?

1. Degree(s) Earned

State the complete name of the diploma you earned. Use the official title to avoid any confusion.

For example:

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Master of Science (M.S.)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Clearly indicate your major or area of specialization within the degree. This helps employers understand your focus and expertise.

A major is the primary area of study that a student concentrates on during their education. It usually requires the completion of a set number of courses or credits within that subject.

For example:

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature

Master of Science in Environmental Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

If you hold more than one credential, list them in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

For instance:

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Harvard Business School

Bachelor of Science in Economics, University of Chicago

A minor is a secondary field that complements the major. It typically provides additional expertise or specialization in a related or different sphere. It allows students to gain knowledge in another subject, potentially enhancing their career prospects.

Examples:

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Minor in Statistics

Master of Arts in History (Major in Medieval Studies)

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Minor in Creative Writing

2. Institution

Use the official name of the school as it is formally recognized. Avoid abbreviations.

If the organization is widely known by an abbreviation (e.g., MIT for Massachusetts Institute of Technology), you may use it after the full name.

Include the city and state (or country, if the university is located abroad). For foreign colleges use well-known names or translations if applicable.

Example:

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

3. Graduation Date

The graduation date provides key information about when you completed your degree. This helps potential employers or institutions understand your academic timeline and gauge the relevance of your qualifications.

If you graduated recently (typically within the last five years), including the exact month and year can be useful, as it offers a more accurate data.
If you have significant experience, you could simply write the year.

4. Relevant Coursework (Optional)

For students or those with limited work history, coursework can serve as evidence of your expertise in key areas.

Example:

Relevant Coursework

Data Structures

Algorithms

Database Management Systems

Machine Learning

5. Honors (Optional)

Show that you have been recognized for your academic performance or contributions, which can signal your dedication and capability. Only include those that significantly enhance your document. If you have many, prioritize the most prestigious ones.

Types:

Academic Honors. These include high honors such as cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude.

Scholarships. Awards that provided financial support based on academic merit or other criteria.

Academic Competitions. Prizes from academic or professional competitions.

Research. Recognitions for outstanding projects, such as best paper awards.

Dean’s List. Regular inclusion on the Dean’s List for high academic achievement.

6. GPA (Optional)

Include your GPA if it is particularly strong (generally 3.5 or higher) and if you are a recent graduate. If you have several years of work experience, you can omit this.

Only add GPA to the nearest tenth unless your institution provides it to more decimal places and it’s necessary for accuracy.

7. Certifications (If Relevant)

Licenses shows that you have invested in your professional growth and are up-to-date with industry standards.

List each certificate with the name, issuing organization, and the date received. For credentials with specific requirements, include the renewal date.

Example:

Project Management Professional

Project Management Institute (PMI)

Issued: March 2021

Expiration: March 2024

8. Thesis

For master’s or doctoral degrees, including your dissertation is often relevant as it reflects a significant portion of your research and academic work.

Example:

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

University of Chicago, IL

Thesis: "The Impact of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety Disorders in Adolescents"

Advisor: Dr. Michael Johnson

How to format education on resume?

Employers often skim applications quickly. Properly listing education on resume helps ensure that your academic credentials are easy to locate and read.

Order of education on resume:

Degree
Field of Study
Institution Name
Location
Graduation Date
Additional Details

Use a professional, easy-to-read font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. The font size should generally be between 10 to 12 points. Bold the diploma title and school name to make them stand out.

Use a regular font style for the field of study and extra details. Consider using italics for the university name to differentiate it from the degree.

Align all text to the left for a clean, uniform appearance. Leave a space between each degree entry to enhance readability.

Ensure the entire resume education section matches the overall professional appearance of your document.

Keep the information concise and relevant. Avoid overloading the block with unnecessary info. To be sure that your section is looking good try using a resume builder.

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Example:

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science

University of Colorado Boulder, CO

Graduated: August 2024

Thesis: "Innovative Approaches to Climate Change Mitigation", Advisor: Dr. Emily Carter

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Harvard Business School, Boston, MA

Graduated: June 2023

GPA: 3.7/4.0

Honors: Dean’s List

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

University of California, Berkeley, CA

Graduated: May 2020

Where should education section go on a resume?

The placement of the education section on your resume depends on several factors, including your career stage, the relevance of your academic background to the job, and the overall structure of your document.

Below is a guide on where to position the resume education section based on different scenarios.

How to list education on resume for graduates?

If you have limited work experience, place the academic section near the top of your resume. This is because your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any honors or projects are key components of your qualifications.

Resume education example:

Contact Information
Objective
Education
Experience
Skills
Certifications

Samples of how to list education on resume:

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How to List Education on a Resume (+ 40 Examples)

What should you include in the education section of a resume?

1. Degree(s) Earned

2. Institution

3. Graduation Date

4. Relevant Coursework (Optional)

5. Honors (Optional)

6. GPA (Optional)

7. Certifications (If Relevant)

8. Thesis

How to format education on resume?

Order of education on resume:

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Where should education section go on a resume?

How to list education on resume for graduates?

Resume education example:

How to add education to resume for experienced professionals

Resume education example:

How to write education in resume for highly specialized fields

Resume education example:

Resume education examples

1. Business (recent graduate)

2. Engineering (recent graduate)

3. Graphic design (recent graduate)

4. Education (recent graduate)

5. Marketing (early career)

6. Information technology (early career)

7. Healthcare (mid-career)

8. Legal (mid-career)

9. Finance (mid-career)

10. Engineering management (experienced)

11. Biotechnology (experienced)

12. Architecture (experienced)

13. Research scientist (specialized field)

14. Data science (specialized field)

15. Environmental science (specialized field)

16. Clinical psychology (specialized field)

17. International relations (specialized field)

18. Software development (specialized field)

19. Marketing analytics (specialized field)

20. Art history (specialized field)

21. Accounting (entry-level)

22. Public relations (entry-level)

23. Journalism (entry-level)

24. Project management (early career)

26. Human resources (early career)

27. Electrical engineering (mid-career)

28. Data engineering (experienced)

29. Software engineering (experienced)

30. Molecular genetics (specialized field)

31. Cybersecurity (specialized field)

32. Urban planning (specialized field)

33. Neuroscience (specialized field)

34. Music production (specialized field)

35. Environmental engineering (specialized field)

36. Artificial intelligence (specialized field)

37. Health administration (specialized field)

38. Creative writing (specialized field)

39. Veterinary medicine (specialized field)

40. Public health (specialized field)

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Conclusion

Amanda Baker

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