The education section is important because it tells employers if you are highly trained in your field or have a broad knowledge base. Some jobs require advanced degrees, so those employers tend to check applicants’ educational background to see if they are appropriately matched.
A resume’s education section can even provide insight into your skill set. For example, job seekers who study the sciences, medicine and engineering often gain specific technical skills necessary for those industries. Many employers in media and communications, human resources, and the arts seek soft skills such as critical thinking, verbal and written communication, listening, and problem-solving that liberal arts and general education programs provide.
How to write a great resume education section, with examples
Like your resume summary or objective statement, job history and skills sections, the way you present your education, and the content you include depends on your background and resume format.
First, thoughtfully and honestly consider your educational background.
Prepare your content:
- List the school(s) you attended, their locations, and the years you attended.
- Write down your degree(s) and the area of concentration.
- If you don’t have a degree, write where and when you got your diploma.
- If you are a student working toward a degree, then write down your major, the school you attend, and any coursework that matches the job to which you are applying.
- On-the-job training counts! Note any training you had, where, and when.
- List any certifications you have, where and when you got them, especially if necessary for the job.
- If you don’t have any formal education, certifications, or on-the-job training, then think of relevant classes you have taken, where and when you took them.
Then review the job description:
- Does the job require a college degree?
- Does the job description say equivalent experience is appropriate if you do not have the required degree?
- Do you need specific certifications?
Match your answers as best you can to the job’s education requirements and highlight special achievements if they make sense for the job. It’s critical to be honest about your education. Most employers run background checks, and discrepancies will cost you the job.
Use the examples below as guides.
If you’re a recent graduate
If you graduated from high school, technical school, or college within the last three years, then place your education section above your work experience section, like so:
- The name of your school
- Years attended
- Location of your school
- The degree you obtained (if applicable)
- Your field of study
- Your GPA, if it is above a 3.4
- Relevant honors and achievements, coursework, and activities
For example:
Education
LA Vocational Institute, January 2018 – May 2020
Los Angeles, CA
Medical Assistant Certificate
GPA: 3.8
Outstanding Student Award, 2019
Pro Tip
If you attended more than one school and transferred from one to the other, display the school you graduated from. If you graduated from multiple schools, then show the more prominent or relevant one.
If you graduated more than three years ago
If you’ve been working for several years, then employers will be more interested in your work experience than your education. Place your education below your experience. It’s acceptable to remove details like dates attended and GPA but keep relevant honors or notable achievements. If you have advanced degrees, then list them from highest rank down, in reverse-chronological order. List certifications and other coursework under separate headings.
For example:
Education
Moore College of Art and Design
Master’s of Art in Education (MA)
Professional Development Fellowship Award
Union League Civic and Arts Foundation Award
Rutgers University
Bachelor of Visual Arts (BFA)
Ralph DuCasse Studio Art Award
Teacher Certification
Pennsylvania Teacher Certification, Art Education K-12, October 2017
Professional Development Courses and Workshops
Artful Thinking in the Museum and Classroom, Philadelphia Museum of Art June 2018
Mixed Media Techniques, Visual Arts Education Summer Institute, July 2018
Pro Tip
Don’t add your high school if you graduated from a college, technical or vocational school.
If you are attending school
It’s perfectly OK to list in-progress studies on your resume. Include work you’ve completed, the degree you’re working toward, and when you expect to graduate.
Place your education section above your work history.
For example:
Education
Miles Community College
Miles City, MT
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), Small Business Management (in progress)
Diploma expected May 2022
Relevant Coursework Completed:
- Business Law
- Management
- Interpersonal Communication
If you did not complete your education
If you have some formal education but did not receive a degree, don’t worry; your education counts! List the name of the school and relevant coursework. Certifications, awards, training and professional development courses or workshops will add weight to this section.
For example:
University of Wisconsin-Madison May – August 2011
Completed coursework: Elements of Data Science, Essentials of Analytics, Statistics, Basics of Coding
or
New York University, September 2013 – May, 2014
Completed 28 credits in Social Sciences
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Certificates and training
If you are looking for work in a hands-on industry such as restaurant, construction, maintenance, beauty, or public servant, use your education section to display your job-related certificates, licenses, and on-the-job training.
For example:
Training
Boise Technical College
Licensed Journeyman Electrician, June 2010
IBEW Apprenticeship Program
Electrician’s Apprentice, August 2007
Certificates:
- Certified Electrical Safety Technician
- SGS Electrical Installations Certification
- NTT Electrical Codes and Standards Certification
Resume education section do’s and don’ts
FAQ
How do you introduce your educational background?
On your resume, create a section called “Education.” If you graduated within the last three years, then place it above your work history section. Otherwise, put it below your work history. List schools attended (with dates) in reverse-chronological order and add essential information, such as diplomas or certificates earned and relevant courses taken, under each school.
Is there anything that I should NOT include in the education section?
Do not include irrelevant information, such as courses that do not match the job, or training that is inapplicable and high school if you’ve attended post-secondary school.
Does a GED count as education on a resume?
Yes! Most employers count the GED as education equivalent to a high school diploma. There is no need to list it on your resume if you have completed a higher education program.
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