How To List Education on a Resume (With 5 Examples)
What Is the Education Section of a Resume?
The education section of a resume shows your academic background. It tells employers where you studied, what degree or credential you earned and what field you focused on.
For many candidates, education is one of the most important parts of the resume. This is especially true for students, recent graduates, career changers and people applying for jobs that require specific degrees, certifications or training.
For experienced professionals, education may be less important than work experience, but it still helps confirm qualifications and professional background.
A resume education section may include:
School name
School location
Degree or credential
Major or field of study
Graduation date
Expected graduation date
GPA
Academic honors
Relevant coursework
Certifications
Training programs
Study abroad experience
Academic projects
You do not need to include every detail. The goal is to show the education that supports your application.
Why the Education Section Matters
The education section helps employers understand whether your background matches the role.
Some jobs require a specific degree. For example, engineering, accounting, nursing, education and research roles may have formal education requirements. Other jobs may not require a degree, but education can still help show relevant knowledge and discipline.
Education can also help when you have limited work experience. If you are a student or recent graduate, your education section can highlight coursework, projects, GPA, honors and academic achievements that show your potential.
For career changers, education and training can show that you are building new skills for a new field.
For experienced professionals, education is usually shorter but still important for credibility.
What To Include in the Education Section
A standard education entry usually includes:
Name of school
Location of school
Degree earned
Field of study
Graduation date or expected graduation date
Here is a simple format:
University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Los Angeles, CA
Graduated May 2025
You can also format it in one line:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, University of California, Los Angeles, May 2025
Both formats can work. Choose the one that fits your resume style.
Basic Resume Education Format
Here is a basic structure you can use:
[Degree], [Major or Field of Study]
[School Name], [City, State]
[Graduation Month and Year]
Optional details:
GPA: [GPA]
Honors: [Academic honors]
Relevant Coursework: [Course names]
Awards: [Academic awards]
Activities: [Relevant student organizations]
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Expected May 2026
GPA: 3.8
Relevant Coursework: Consumer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Market Research
This format is clear and easy for employers to scan.
Where To Put Education on a Resume
Where you place your education section depends on your career stage.
If you are a student, recent graduate or entry-level candidate, place education near the top of your resume. In this case, your education may be one of your strongest qualifications.
If you have several years of relevant work experience, place education below your work experience. Employers will usually care more about your professional results than your degree details.
If you are changing careers and recently completed relevant training, you may place that education higher on the resume to show your new qualifications.
If the job requires a specific degree or certification, make sure your education section is easy to find.
How To List Education if You Are a Student
If you are still in school, include your expected graduation date.
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Expected May 2027
You can also include GPA, relevant coursework, academic projects, scholarships, student organizations or leadership roles if they are relevant.
For students, the education section can be more detailed because you may not have much full-time work experience yet.
You might include:
Expected graduation date
GPA if strong
Relevant coursework
Academic projects
Honors
Scholarships
Student leadership
Campus activities related to the job
Avoid listing every class or activity. Focus on what supports the role.
How To List Education if You Recently Graduated
Recent graduates can place education near the top of the resume, especially if the degree is closely related to the job.
Example:
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Graduated May 2025
GPA: 3.7
Honors: Magna cum laude
Relevant Coursework: Financial Modeling, Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis
Recent graduates can also include internships, capstone projects, research projects and student leadership roles in other sections of the resume.
As you gain more work experience, you can shorten the education section.
How To List Education if You Have Work Experience
If you have several years of professional experience, keep the education section brief.
Example:
Bachelor of Arts in English
New York University, New York, NY
For experienced professionals, you may not need to include graduation year, GPA or coursework unless it is highly relevant.
A shorter education section helps keep the focus on your work achievements.
You can still include honors or advanced degrees if they strengthen your application.
How To List Education if You Did Not Graduate
If you attended college but did not complete the degree, you can still list your education if it is relevant.
You can write:
Completed 90 credits toward Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Or:
Coursework in Business Administration
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
You do not need to write “did not graduate.” Instead, describe what you completed honestly and clearly.
If the unfinished degree is not relevant and you have stronger work experience, you may choose to leave it off.
How To List a High School Diploma
If high school is your highest level of education, include it on your resume.
Example:
High School Diploma
Lincoln High School, Portland, OR
Graduated June 2024
If you are currently in college or have completed a college degree, you usually do not need to list high school.
Students applying for part-time jobs, internships or first jobs may include high school education, especially if they have limited experience.
You can also include honors, relevant coursework or activities if they support the job.
How To List an Associate Degree
An associate degree can be listed like any other degree.
Example:
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Austin Community College, Austin, TX
Graduated May 2024
If the associate degree is directly related to the job, include it even if you later earned a bachelor’s degree in another field.
If you have multiple degrees, list the most recent or highest degree first unless another degree is more relevant.
How To List a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is one of the most common education entries on a resume.
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Graduated June 2025
You may include your major, minor, concentration or academic honors if relevant.
Example:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Statistics
Boston University, Boston, MA
Graduated May 2024
GPA: 3.8
This format is useful when both the major and minor support the job.
How To List a Master’s Degree
A master’s degree can strengthen your resume, especially for roles that require advanced knowledge.
Example:
Master of Business Administration
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Graduated June 2023
If you have a master’s degree, you can usually list it before your bachelor’s degree.
Example:
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Graduated May 2025
Bachelor of Science in Information Systems
University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Graduated May 2022
If space is limited, you can remove extra details from older degrees.
How To List a Ph.D. or Doctoral Degree
A doctoral degree should be listed clearly, especially for academic, research, scientific, medical or senior expert roles.
Example:
Ph.D. in Molecular Biology
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Dissertation: Gene Regulation in Early Cell Development
Graduated June 2024
For academic CVs, you may include more details, such as dissertation title, advisor, publications and research areas. For a standard resume, keep the section concise unless the information is directly relevant.
How To List Certifications and Training
Certifications, bootcamps, online courses and professional workshops can help show current skills.
Depending on the resume, you can include them in the education section or create a separate section called Certifications, Professional Development or Training.
Example:
Google Data Analytics Certificate
Coursera, Completed 2025
Example:
Full Stack Web Development Bootcamp
BrightCode Academy, Completed 2024
If a certification is required for the job, place it where employers can find it easily.
For example, a project management certification, teaching license, nursing license or technical certification may deserve its own section.
Should You Include GPA?
You can include your GPA if it is strong and relevant.
Many candidates include GPA if it is 3.5 or higher, especially if they are students or recent graduates.
Example:
GPA: 3.8/4.0
If your GPA is lower or you have several years of work experience, you can usually leave it off.
You can also include major GPA if it is stronger and relevant.
Example:
Major GPA: 3.9/4.0
Only include GPA if it helps your application or if the employer asks for it.
Should You Include Graduation Date?
Students and recent graduates should usually include graduation date or expected graduation date.
Example:
Expected May 2027
Graduated May 2025
Experienced professionals may choose to remove graduation dates to keep the resume focused on skills and work history.
If a job application asks for dates, provide them honestly.
If you include graduation dates for one degree, try to keep formatting consistent across the education section.
Should You Include Relevant Coursework?
Relevant coursework can be useful if you are a student, recent graduate or career changer.
Include coursework when it shows knowledge related to the job.
Example:
Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Business Analytics, Corporate Finance
Do not list too many classes. Three to six relevant courses are usually enough.
Avoid listing basic courses that most people in the degree program would take unless they are especially relevant to the job.
Should You Include Academic Honors?
Yes, include academic honors if they strengthen your resume.
Examples include:
Summa cum laude
Magna cum laude
Cum laude
Dean’s List
Honor society membership
Scholarships
Academic awards
Research awards
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Economics
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Graduated May 2025
Honors: Summa cum laude, Dean’s List
Academic honors are especially useful for students and recent graduates.
Should You Include Study Abroad?
Study abroad experience can be included if it is relevant to the role.
It may be useful for jobs involving international business, language skills, cultural knowledge, global teams, education, diplomacy, travel, marketing or communications.
Example:
Study Abroad: International Business Program
University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Spring 2024
You can also include language study, international research or global project work if relevant.
If study abroad is not relevant and space is limited, you can leave it off.
Should You Include Online Courses?
Online courses can be useful if they show relevant and current skills.
This is especially true for technical skills, marketing, analytics, design, business, AI, software tools, project management or career changes.
Example:
Python for Data Analysis
DataCamp, Completed 2025
Example:
Digital Marketing Strategy
HubSpot Academy, Completed 2024
If you have many online courses, choose only the most relevant ones. Too many small courses can make the resume feel unfocused.
How To List Multiple Degrees
If you have multiple degrees, list them in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
Example:
Master of Science in Accounting
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Graduated May 2025
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Graduated May 2022
If an older degree is more relevant to the job, you can add more detail to that entry while keeping the other one short.
How To List Education for Career Changers
Career changers can use the education section to show new skills and direction.
If you recently completed relevant training, place that education or certification near the top of the resume.
Example:
UX Design Certificate
DesignLab, Completed 2025
Relevant Projects: Mobile app redesign, usability testing, customer journey mapping
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
In this example, the new UX certificate is more relevant than the older degree, so it appears first.
Career changers should focus on education that proves readiness for the new field.
How To List Education for Entry-Level Jobs
For entry-level jobs, your education section may carry more weight.
You can include more detail, such as GPA, relevant coursework, projects, honors and leadership activities.
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Graduated May 2026
GPA: 3.7
Relevant Coursework: Consumer Behavior, Marketing Analytics, Brand Strategy
Academic Project: Created a go-to-market plan for a local ecommerce brand
This helps employers understand your skills even if you have limited work history.
How To List Education for Experienced Professionals
Experienced professionals should usually keep the education section short.
Example:
Master of Public Health
Columbia University, New York, NY
Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
You do not need to include GPA, coursework or student activities unless they are directly relevant.
Your work experience, achievements and skills should take priority.
How To List Education on a Resume: 5 Examples
Example 1: Student Resume
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Expected May 2027
GPA: 3.8/4.0
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Systems, Web Development
Academic Project: Built a task management web app using React and Node.js
This example works well for a student because it includes expected graduation date, GPA, coursework and a relevant project.
Example 2: Recent Graduate Resume
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Graduated May 2025
Honors: Magna cum laude
Relevant Coursework: Digital Marketing, Market Research, Consumer Behavior
Activities: Marketing Club, Case Competition Team
This example works well for a recent graduate because it highlights academic performance and activities connected to the target field.
Example 3: Experienced Professional Resume
Education
Master of Business Administration
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
University of California, San Diego, CA
This example works well for an experienced professional because it keeps the education section simple and lets work experience take priority.
Example 4: Career Changer Resume
Education and Training
UX Design Certificate
Springboard, Completed 2025
Relevant Projects: Mobile app redesign, usability testing report, customer journey map
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Graduated May 2021
This example works well for a career changer because it places the newer, more relevant training above the older degree.
Example 5: No Degree Completed
Education
Coursework in Business Administration
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Completed 60 credits
Relevant Coursework: Principles of Management, Business Communication, Accounting I
This example works well for someone who attended college but did not complete the degree. It is honest, clear and focused on completed coursework.
Education Section Formatting Tips
Keep the format consistent. If you list school name first for one entry, do the same for the others.
Use clear spacing. The education section should be easy to scan.
Avoid long descriptions. Most education entries should be short.
Prioritize relevance. Add details only when they support the job.
Use reverse chronological order. List your most recent education first.
Do not exaggerate. Be accurate about degrees, dates and credentials.
Match your resume style. The education section should look consistent with the rest of the resume.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
One common mistake is including too much information. You do not need to list every class, activity or academic detail.
Another mistake is placing education too high when your work experience is stronger. If you have years of relevant experience, employers usually want to see that first.
A third mistake is listing GPA when it does not help. If your GPA is not strong or not requested, you can leave it off.
Another mistake is using unclear degree names. Write the degree in a way employers can understand.
A fifth mistake is listing outdated or irrelevant training. Only include courses and certificates that support your target role.
Finally, avoid dishonest information. Employers may verify education during background checks.
Education Section vs. Certifications Section
Education and certifications are related, but they are not always the same.
Use the education section for degrees, college programs, high school diplomas, academic training and formal programs.
Use a certifications section for professional credentials, licenses and specialized training.
For example, a nursing degree may go under Education, while a registered nurse license may go under Certifications or Licenses.
A project management degree may go under Education, while a PMP certification may go under Certifications.
Keeping these sections separate can make your resume easier to scan.
Education Section vs. Professional Development Section
A professional development section can be useful if you have many workshops, online courses or short training programs.
For example:
Professional Development
AI for Business Strategy, Completed 2025
Advanced Excel for Financial Modeling, Completed 2024
Leadership Communication Workshop, Completed 2024
This section is useful when the training supports your career but does not fit neatly under formal education.
If you have only one or two relevant courses, you can include them in the education section or certifications section instead.
How To Tailor Your Education Section to a Job
Your education section should support the job you want.
Read the job description and look for required degrees, preferred majors, certifications, skills and tools.
Then highlight the education that matches.
For example, if a job asks for data analysis skills, include relevant coursework, certificates or projects in statistics, SQL, Python or Excel.
If a job asks for communication skills, include coursework or academic projects involving writing, public speaking, research or presentations.
Tailoring your education section can help employers quickly see why your background fits the role.
How Dokie Can Help With Resume and Career Presentations
When preparing for interviews, portfolio reviews, career fairs or graduate school applications, you may need to present your education, projects and achievements clearly. Dokie can help turn your resume content, academic projects, research summaries and career story into polished presentation slides. Instead of manually formatting every slide, you can use Dokie to organize your background, highlight key achievements and create a clean, professional deck for interviews, class presentations or application materials.
Conclusion
Listing education on a resume is simple when you know what to include and where to place it.
Start with the basics: school name, location, degree, field of study and graduation date. Then add GPA, honors, coursework, certifications or projects only when they strengthen your application.
Students and recent graduates can give the education section more space. Experienced professionals should usually keep it shorter and focus more on work results.
The best education section is clear, honest and relevant to the job.
Whether you are a student, recent graduate, career changer or experienced professional, a well-formatted education section can help employers understand your qualifications quickly.
FAQs
What should I include in the education section of a resume?
Include your school name, school location, degree or credential, field of study and graduation date or expected graduation date. You can also include GPA, honors, coursework, certifications or projects if relevant.
Where should education go on a resume?
Students and recent graduates usually place education near the top. Experienced professionals usually place education below work experience.
Should I include high school on my resume?
Include high school if it is your highest level of education or if you are a student with limited experience. If you have completed college, you usually do not need to list high school.
Should I include GPA on my resume?
Include GPA if it is strong, recent and relevant. Many students and recent graduates include GPA if it is 3.5 or higher.
Should I include graduation date?
Students and recent graduates should usually include graduation date or expected graduation date. Experienced professionals may choose to leave it off.
How do I list an unfinished degree?
You can list completed credits, relevant coursework or the program you attended. Do not claim you earned a degree if you did not complete it.
How do I list an expected graduation date?
Write “Expected May 2027” or “Expected Graduation: May 2027” under the degree entry.
Should certifications go in the education section?
They can, but important professional certifications often work better in a separate Certifications section.
Should online courses go on a resume?
Yes, if they are relevant to the job and show useful skills. Choose the strongest and most related courses.
How do I list multiple degrees?
List multiple degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent degree.
Should I include relevant coursework?
Include relevant coursework if you are a student, recent graduate or career changer and the coursework supports the job.
Should I include academic honors?
Yes, include honors such as summa cum laude, magna cum laude, dean’s list or scholarships if they strengthen your application.
How long should the education section be?
For most resumes, the education section should be short. Students and recent graduates may include more detail, while experienced professionals can keep it brief.
Can I list a bootcamp on my resume?
Yes. A relevant bootcamp can be listed under Education, Certifications, Training or Professional Development.
What is the biggest mistake in listing education?
The biggest mistake is including too much irrelevant detail or placing education above stronger work experience when you are already an experienced professional.