Quick Answer
- Use this universal formula: Degree Name, Major, Institution, Graduation Date.
- Example:
Bachelor of Science in Marketing, University of Texas at Austin, May 2023 - This structure works for associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorates.
- Place your education section after professional experience if you have 3+ years of work history.
You earned it. Now, list it so a hiring manager can see your qualification in two seconds flat. The correct way to how to list a degree on your resume isn’t a matter of opinion; it’s a matter of clarity. Getting it right signals professionalism. Getting it wrong creates confusion.
Forget the guesswork. We’re going to use a single, four-part formula. This structure applies whether you’re listing an Associate of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Arts, or a PhD. It’s the clean, standard format recruiters expect to see. You just need to plug in your specific details. This guide will walk you through each component, show you the exact format for every degree type, and help you place the section for maximum impact. Let’s make your education section work for you.
In This Article
- The Core Formula for Listing Any Degree on Your Resume
- Formatting Your Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree
- How to List a Master’s Degree, MBA, or Doctorate
- Special Cases: Online Degrees, Coursework, and Study Abroad
- The Placement Test: Where Does Your Education Section Go?
- Common Degree Listing Mistakes to Avoid
The Core Formula for Listing Any Degree on Your Resume
List your degree using four specific pieces of information, in this order. Think of it as a fill-in-the-blank template that never fails.
The formula is: Degree Name, Major, Institution, Graduation Date.
Each part has a specific job. The Degree Name is the official title from the school (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science). Write it out fully. The Major specifies your field of study. Capitalize it as it appears on your diploma. The Institution is the full name of the college or university. Use the common name people recognize. You don’t need the full legal corporate title. The Graduation Date is the month and year you completed your degree.
Format it cleanly. Use a comma to separate each component. No fancy punctuation is needed. A simple, consistent format makes your resume look polished and easy to scan. This core structure is your foundation. Every variation we discuss later—from minors to thesis details—fits within or attaches to this basic line.
Formatting Your Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree
For undergraduate degrees, the core formula holds perfectly. Your job is to add relevant details like a minor or GPA only if they strengthen your candidacy.
Here’s the formula in action for an undergraduate degree:
- Associate of Arts in English Literature, Community College of Philadelphia, May 2022
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, May 2023
If you have a minor, list it after your major. Use the word “minor” and capitalize the subject.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Statistics, University of Michigan, April 2024
What about your GPA? Use the 3-Year Rule: Include your GPA only if you graduated within the last three years and it is 3.5 or higher. List it after your graduation date, labeled as “GPA.”
...University of Texas at Austin, May 2025. GPA: 3.7
If you are still in school, list your expected graduation date. Write “Expected” before the month and year.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Expected May 2026
How to List a Master’s Degree, MBA, or Doctorate
Advanced degrees follow the same core formula. The main differences are in the degree name and whether to include thesis or dissertation details.
For a standard master’s degree, the format is identical. For professional degrees like an MBA, use the specific degree title.
Master of Arts in History, Columbia University, May 2023Master of Business Administration, The Wharton School, May 2024
For a PhD or other doctorate, the formula still applies. The question is whether to include your dissertation title and advisor. Use this simple test: Is the topic directly relevant to the job you want? If yes, add a line below your degree entry, indented. If no, leave it off.
Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience, Stanford University, June 2024Dissertation: “Synaptic Plasticity in Response to Chronic Stress.” Advisor: Dr. Alex Chen
List your degrees in reverse-chronological order, with your highest or most recent degree first. Medical (MD) and law (JD) degrees are listed using their standard abbreviations after your name in a headline, but the education section still uses the full degree name, institution, and date.
Special Cases: Online Degrees, Coursework, and Study Abroad
Edge cases cause anxiety, but the solutions are straightforward. Confidence comes from knowing the rules.
First, online degrees. If your degree is from a regionally accredited university, list it exactly as you would an on-campus degree. The institution name is sufficient. Do not add “online” or use a special notation. The accreditation is what matters.
Second, relevant coursework. This is a tool for those with limited formal education or experience. If you lack a degree but have completed significant, job-related coursework, create a subheading under your education entry. List 3-5 key courses that mirror the job description.
Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Business Statistics, Corporate Finance
Third, study abroad. Format this as a separate line item under your primary degree. List the host university, the city and country, and the dates of attendance. You do not need to list specific courses unless they are uniquely relevant.
University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Fall 2023
The Placement Test: Where Does Your Education Section Go?
Your education section belongs either right after your header or near the bottom of your resume. The correct placement depends entirely on your career stage.
If you are a recent graduate with less than three years of full-time work experience, place your education section directly below your professional summary. Your degree is your strongest credential right now. It signals your foundational knowledge and your recent, relevant training.
If you are an experienced professional with a solid work history, your education section goes after your professional experience. Your career narrative is the main event. The degree here serves as important supporting evidence, not the headline.
The Decision Tree:
- Recent Grad: Education first.
- Experienced Pro: Education last.
What about an incomplete degree? List it with the expected completion date or the dates you attended. Use the line “Coursework towards a Bachelor of…” or simply list the institution, field of study, and dates attended. This shows initiative and direction without misrepresentation.
Common Degree Listing Mistakes to Avoid
These errors can make an otherwise strong candidate look careless. They are easy to fix.
1. The Punctuation Police
- Mistake: Using periods in abbreviations (B.S., M.A., Ph.D.). This is outdated.
- Fix: Use clean, modern formatting: BS, MA, PhD. Or write it out: Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts.
2. The Vague Major
- Mistake: Listing only “Bachelor of Arts” without the field of study.
- Fix: Always specify. “BA in English Literature” or “BS in Computer Science.” Clarity beats mystery every time.
3. The High School Hangover
- Mistake: Including your high school diploma once you have a college degree.
- Fix: Delete it. Your university degree renders it irrelevant.
4. The Creative Capitalization
- Mistake: Inventing a fancy name for your major, like “Global Strategic Leadership Studies.”
- Fix: Use the official name from your diploma or transcript. “BA in International Relations” is stronger and more credible.
5. The GPA Grudge
- Mistake: Including a GPA below 3.5 after you’ve been in the workforce for a few years.
- Fix: Once you have two or three years of professional experience, remove the GPA. Your work history speaks louder.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I include my GPA on my resume?
Only include your GPA if you are a recent graduate with a strong academic record (typically 3.5 or higher) and you lack substantial work experience. A high GPA can be a valuable signal for entry-level roles in competitive fields. Once you gain a few years of professional experience, remove it. Your career accomplishments become the more relevant metric.
How do I list a degree I’m currently pursuing?
List your ongoing degree with a future graduation date. Format it clearly to show progress and intent. For example: “Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Expected May 2025” or “Master of Business Administration, Anticipated Completion: June 2024.” You can also note “Coursework in progress” below the degree line if it adds relevant context.
What if my degree name is very long or unusual?
Use the official, abbreviated name from your university if one exists, or list the most common shorthand. For a “Magister Philosophiae” you can simply write “MA (Philosophy).” The goal is clarity for the hiring manager. If the field of study is more important than the exact title, lead with that: “Advanced degree in Quantitative Economics” instead of a lengthy, unfamiliar title.
Should I list my high school diploma on my resume?
No. Once you have earned any level of post-secondary education—whether a certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree—your high school information becomes obsolete. Including it takes up valuable space and can make your resume seem inexperienced.
Where does my education section go if I have 10+ years of experience?
Place it at the bottom of your resume, after your robust professional experience section. At this career stage, your proven track record of results is the primary selling point. The education section serves as a final, confirming credential. You might even condense it to a single line: “BA, University Name” under an “Education” subheading within a broader “Background” section.
How do I list a double major or multiple degrees?
List each major under the same degree entry, separated by “and” or “with.” For example: “Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry.” If you earned two separate degrees (e.g., a BA and a BS), list them as two distinct lines in reverse-chronological order.
Should I include certifications or professional development?
Yes, but place them in a separate “Certifications” or “Professional Development” section, not within your formal degree entry. This keeps your education section clean while still showcasing your continued learning.
Checklist
- Place your education above experience if you’re a recent grad.
- Spell out your major; never list just the degree type.
- Remove your high school data once you have a college degree.
- Use clean formatting: BA, not B.A.
- Delete your GPA after a few years in the workforce.
Your resume is a marketing document, not a transcript. Every line should earn its place by advancing a clear, credible narrative about why you’re the right fit for this specific role. The education section is a key part of that story. Get the placement and the details right, and you remove a distraction. You let the hiring manager focus on what you can do, not just where you learned to do it. Now, review your own resume with this test in mind. Make one adjustment today.