How To Write a Degree on a Resume: A Comprehensive Guide to Success

So, you’ve earned a degree! Congratulations! Now comes the next crucial step: effectively showcasing that accomplishment on your resume. This isn’t just about listing your degree; it’s about presenting it in a way that grabs the attention of hiring managers and highlights your qualifications. This guide will walk you through every aspect of how to write a degree on your resume, ensuring you make a stellar impression and land that job.

1. The Importance of Accurately Listing Your Degree

Why is this so important? Because your degree is often the first thing a recruiter looks for. It provides a quick overview of your education, skills, and area of expertise. A well-formatted degree entry saves time and clearly communicates your qualifications, making your resume more competitive. Get it wrong, and you risk being overlooked. A poorly written degree section can confuse, mislead, and potentially disqualify you from consideration.

2. Where to Put Your Degree Information on Your Resume

The standard location for your degree information is the Education section. This section should be placed strategically, depending on your experience level.

  • For recent graduates and those with limited work experience, the Education section should typically appear above your experience section. This emphasizes your educational background as a primary qualification.
  • For experienced professionals, the Education section can often be placed below the experience section. Your work history likely carries more weight, but the degree is still crucial and should be easily accessible.

Within the Education section, list your degrees in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

3. Formatting Your Degree: The Essentials

The formatting of your degree information needs to be consistent and easy to read. Here’s a breakdown of the essential elements:

  • Degree Name: This is the official name of your degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts).
  • Major/Field of Study: This specifies your area of specialization (e.g., Biology, English Literature).
  • University/Institution Name: The name of the school you attended.
  • Graduation Date: Month and year of graduation (e.g., May 2023).
  • Location (City, State): The city and state where the university is located.

Here’s an example of how to format it:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA May 2023

4. Variations in Degree Presentation: Highlighting Relevant Details

While the basic format is crucial, you can tailor your degree information to highlight relevant details and make it more compelling.

  • Honors: If you graduated with honors (e.g., cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude), include this information.
  • GPA (Optional): If your GPA is impressive (generally 3.5 or higher), you can include it. However, if it’s below that, it’s often best to omit it.
  • Relevant Coursework/Projects: For recent graduates or if you’re targeting a specific job, consider including a few key courses or projects that align with the job description. This demonstrates practical skills and knowledge.
  • Minor: If you have a minor, include it after your major.

Example including honors and relevant coursework:

Master of Arts in English Literature, Summa Cum Laude Harvard University Cambridge, MA May 2021

  • Relevant Coursework: Victorian Literature, Modernist Poetry, Rhetorical Theory

5. Addressing Different Degree Types: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Beyond

The way you format your degree information changes slightly depending on the degree level. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: This is the most common degree. Use the standard format outlined above.
  • Master’s Degree: Follow the same format as a Bachelor’s, but be sure to specify “Master of Arts (MA),” “Master of Science (MS),” or the appropriate degree title.
  • Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.): Include the degree title, field of study, and the name of your dissertation or thesis (if relevant).
  • Associate’s Degree: While typically listed, associate degrees might be less prominent on your resume if you have a higher degree. However, include it if it’s relevant to the job.

6. Handling Online Degrees and Non-Traditional Education

The increasing prevalence of online degrees requires a nuanced approach:

  • Accreditation is Key: Ensure the online program is accredited by a reputable organization. This adds credibility.
  • Specify “Online” (If Necessary): You don’t have to state it’s online, but if the employer might not recognize the school, or if the format is relevant, you can add “Online” after the university name or location.
  • Include the Program’s Name and Specialization: Just like with traditional degrees, be specific.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several common errors can undermine your degree presentation:

  • Incorrect Degree Name: Double-check the official degree title.
  • Typos and Grammatical Errors: Proofread meticulously.
  • Missing Graduation Date: This is a critical piece of information.
  • Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistency throughout your resume.
  • Omitting Relevant Information: Don’t be afraid to highlight relevant coursework or honors.
  • Overly Long or Complicated Descriptions: Keep it concise and easy to read.

8. Tailoring Your Degree Information to the Job Description

The most effective resumes are tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Review the job description carefully and identify the skills and qualifications the employer values. Then, within your degree section, emphasize the aspects of your education that align with those requirements. This might involve highlighting specific coursework, projects, or areas of specialization. This is essential for applicant tracking systems (ATS) too.

While your degree itself provides the foundation, you can further strengthen your resume by using action verbs to describe the skills you developed during your studies. Instead of simply listing your coursework, consider phrasing it like this:

  • “Developed data analysis skills through coursework in statistical modeling.”
  • “Conducted independent research on X, culminating in a thesis on Y.”
  • “Collaborated with a team on a project to design Z.”
  • “Presented research findings at the annual conference.”

10. Examples of Degree Entries for Different Situations

Here are a few examples to illustrate how to tailor your degree information:

  • For a Software Engineering Role:

    Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Cambridge, MA May 2022

    • Relevant Coursework: Data Structures and Algorithms, Software Engineering, Database Systems

  • For a Marketing Position:

    Master of Arts in Marketing Stanford University Stanford, CA May 2020

    • Relevant Experience: Developed and executed marketing campaigns for client projects.

  • For a Recent Graduate with Limited Experience:

    Bachelor of Arts in History, Cum Laude University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI May 2023

    • Relevant Coursework: Research Methods, Historiography, Public History
    • GPA: 3.7

FAQs

What if I haven’t finished my degree yet?

If you are still in school, you can list your degree in progress. Instead of a graduation date, put “Expected [Month, Year]”. You can also include the number of credits completed or the expected date of completion. For example: “Bachelor of Science in Biology, Expected May 2024.”

Is it okay to include a degree I didn’t finish?

If you didn’t complete your degree, whether or not to include it depends on the situation. If you have significant coursework completed, it might be beneficial to include it, especially if it’s relevant to the job. However, be truthful about the degree status. You could say: “Coursework towards Bachelor of Arts in English Literature” and list the university and dates of attendance.

Should I include my high school diploma?

Generally, no. Once you have a college degree, your high school diploma is less relevant. The exception would be if you have very little other experience, or if the job specifically requires it.

How do I handle multiple degrees?

List all your degrees in reverse chronological order. If one degree is more relevant to the job, place it higher in the Education section. You can also use the “Education” section to highlight the order of degrees such as: “Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Science in Engineering…”

How do I format a professional certification?

Professional certifications (e.g., PMP, CPA) should be listed separately from your degrees, typically in a “Certifications” or “Licenses” section. Include the certification name, the issuing organization, and the date of certification (or expiration, if applicable).

Conclusion

Writing your degree on your resume is more than just a formality; it’s a strategic opportunity to showcase your qualifications and make a strong first impression. By following the guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide – from accurate formatting and strategic placement to highlighting relevant details and tailoring your information to the job description – you can significantly improve your chances of landing an interview. Remember to be precise, consistent, and always proofread. Your degree is a valuable asset, so present it in a way that truly reflects your accomplishments and sets you apart from the competition.