How to List Degrees on a Resume [+Examples]

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Table of contents

What do employers look for in a resume education section?
When should you include your degree on your resume?
How to list different kinds of degrees on a resume
How to list incomplete or in progress education on a resume (with examples)
When to include additional information with your degree
Key takeaways

You're educated and ready to tackle the workforce, but how do you show employers that you've got the degree they're looking for? Your education is a key part of your career story, so it's important to know how to feature it properly.

If you're wondering how to list your degree on your resume, you'll be pleased to learn that it's actually quite simple. We'll make it even easier by walking you through the best ways to tackle your resume education section. For some inspiration to help you get started, take a look at our library of professionally written resume examples. These sample resumes feature properly formatted education sections that you can use as a reference to help get you started.

If you're ready to skip ahead and build a resume that showcases your degree now, try our AI Resume Builder. With this tool, the information you provide is used to create an expertly formatted resume in just minutes.

Now, let's dive into how to write your degree onto your resume!

What do employers look for in a resume education section?

First, let's examine what goes into a typical resume education section. This section should be clear and simple so potential employers can scan your resume and understand it at a glance. When it comes to a professional resume, less is usually more, so don't be afraid to stick with the basics.

Your education section should include:

Each of your degrees in reverse-chronological order.
The name and location of the school where you got your degree.
The date of your graduation if it was recent.
Your major and minor if applicable.
Any additional context if needed.

Pro Tip:

While it's generally a good idea to include dates for your degrees, if your most recent degree was more than 10 years ago, feel free to leave off dates altogether. It is unlikely to add any helpful context at that point and it may make you more vulnerable to age discrimination.

When should you include your degree on your resume?

You may be wondering when to list your degree on your resume, but a more fitting question would be when not to list it. Most resumes will benefit from showcasing your education, even if your career path has gone in a different direction from the field that you studied. There are, however, good reasons to leave certain degrees out.

If you have a bachelor's degree or a master's degree, for example, there's no need to include your associate degree. This is especially true if all three degrees are in the same major. There's nothing that you learned in obtaining your associate degree that you can't demonstrate with your bachelor's or master's.

The same is true for your high school diploma. Once you've earned an associate degree or higher, there is no need to include your high school education on your resume. Resumes are fairly short and real estate on the page is a valuable resource that you don't want to waste by repeating yourself.

Pro Tip:

If you find yourself listing multiple degrees on your resume, you'll usually want to start with the most recent one and work backward. There is one big exception. If you have degrees in different fields, you should instead start with the degree that is the most relevant to the role that you're seeking. If you have a recent art degree and an older engineering degree, the engineering degree should come first if you're applying to an engineering role.

How to list different kinds of degrees on a resume

There isn't a huge world of difference between how you list a master's degree and how you list a bachelor's, but examples should help you get a feel for how each type should look on your resume. As long as you adhere to the basic formatting standards for a resume education section, any degree you choose to include should appear professional and be easy to read at a glance. Let's examine some examples!

How to list a bachelor's degree on a resume:

A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for a lot of lucrative and exciting careers. Here's how your bachelor's degree should appear on your resume:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of California, Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA
May 2020

How to list a master's degree on a resume:

A master's degree can be a significant upgrade to your career, opening doors to fascinating roles that your bachelor's degree couldn't access as easily. Let's look at an example of how you can showcase your hard work and dedication by placing your master's degree on your resume:

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA
June 2024

As you can see, there isn't a lot of difference between listing one type of degree and another. As long as you have the key information that employers look for, there isn't much else to it!

How to list an associate degree on a resume:

Obtaining an associate degree can be a big step toward leveling up your career. Let's take a look at how to list one:

Associate of Arts in Graphic Design
Clark State College | Springfield, OH
November 2017

Pro Tip:

It's okay to use abbreviations like "AA" or "AS" if you're pressed for space, but it's better to write out your degree if you can afford to.

How to list incomplete or in progress education on a resume (with examples)

Now that we've tackled how to list degrees on your resume under typical circumstances, let's look at some special situations that might change the way you approach your education section. Listing an incomplete or in progress degree might seem tricky, but it's actually not much more complicated than any other education section entry. We'll help take the guesswork out of it by showing you some examples.

How to list an incomplete degree on your resume:

There are a lot of reasons why you might've started a degree without finishing it. You might think that without the completed degree, your resume is out of luck. Fortunately, this isn't true. An incomplete degree can still go a long way toward showing your expertise, so it may still be appropriate to list it. Here's how to do it:

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Auburn University | Auburn, AL

September 2018 – December 2021

Completed 60 units of Political Science coursework.

Pro Tip:

If your incomplete degree is not relevant to your career field, or if you've gone on to complete another relevant degree, it may be pertinent to leave it off, but some education is better than none. As long as you're honest about the situation, don't be afraid to list a degree, even if you didn't finish it. The coursework that you did complete is an achievement that you should be proud of.

How to list in progress education on your resume:

Are you pursuing a summer internship? Starting the job hunt before you officially graduate? Taking night classes to earn a degree while you pursue the next stage of your career? There are a myriad of reasons why you might be looking for a job while your degree is still in progress. Just because you aren't done yet, doesn't mean you can't include your degree. Just make sure you indicate that you haven't graduated yet. Here's an example:

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
University of Maine | Orono, ME
Expected in May 2024

Pro Tip:

If your education section feels sparse or you want your training to stand out, try pursuing professional certifications. Certifications demonstrate both initiative and competency and can be a great way to bridge gaps in education or experience.

When to include additional information with your degree

Now that you've got your degrees all listed and neatly organized on your resume, it's time to consider whether your education section is complete. Odds are, if you graduated more than a few years ago, you're better off leaving your education section as-is. The extra space that you would use by adding information is put to better use in your skills and experience sections.

For a recent graduate, someone with an incomplete degree or a student whose degree is still in progress, it's a good idea to add a bit of context, especially if you lack experience. If your GPA is over 3.4, we recommend including it with your degree because it demonstrates your expertise and ability to achieve.

Additionally, you should briefly summarize any coursework that has helped prepare you for the role that you're seeking. This should be no more than one or two short bullet points. Let's look at an example:

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA

May 2024

3.8 GPA
Graduated with honors
Completed coursework in news writing for broadcast and web

This applicant has included some of their achievements from their time at school. For such a recent graduate, experience is likely to be sparse, but recent accomplishments at school can help provide a wider picture of the applicant's expertise and competence.

Education is a major selling point for recent graduates, so don't be afraid to expand on it. Just exercise restraint and don't write more than a few short sentences.

Key takeaways

List your degrees in reverse-chronological order:
Starting with the most recent degree is a good way to put your best foot forward and tell your story, beginning with what is likely to be the most impressive and relevant entry in your education section. There are exceptions, but generally this is the way to organize your degrees.
Include the important information:
Your major, your university, the type of degree and the date of your graduation — so long as it is less than 10 years ago — are all you need to correctly list a typical degree. For unique situations, more context may be necessary so use discretion when you consider what to include.
Don't waste valuable space:
Your resume should be working hard for you, not the other way around. Don't strain yourself and your resume by adding unnecessary information. If you have a bachelor's or master's degree, your high school diploma and associate degree are no longer needed.
Be honest:
There are lots of reasons why you might not have finished your degree, but the coursework that you completed is still an important accomplishment. Don't be afraid to list incomplete education. You can always explain your circumstances further in your cover letter.
Highlight your achievements:
There may come a time when your achievements in the workforce overshadow your academic excellence. Once your career has progressed enough that your education is much less relevant than your work history, you'll want to keep your education section simple and small. Until then, it's a good idea to include big academic accomplishments, like a high GPA or difficult coursework, alongside your degree.