List education in a dedicated section in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent qualification. Include your degree title, school name, and graduation date — and place the section near the top if you are a recent graduate, or lower on the page once work experience carries the resume.
This guide covers what to include in your education section, formatting examples for high school through postgraduate degrees, where certifications belong, and how placement changes at different career stages.
Where should education go on a resume?
Place education based on how relevant it is right now. Students and new grads can put it below the summary and above experience; experienced professionals usually list it after work history and core skills so hiring managers see accomplishments first.
If you have limited paid experience, a prominent education section helps show academic knowledge and transferable strengths. As your career grows, trim academic detail and move the block toward the bottom. If you are still enrolled, show an expected graduation date so employers understand your timeline.
Match section order to your format — see resume formats and our reverse chronological guide for how education fits each layout.
What should you include in the education section of a resume?
At minimum, list the full degree or diploma name, institution, and city/state. Add graduation date, GPA, relevant coursework, or honors only when they strengthen your application — not to fill space.
| Component | Example | When to include |
|---|---|---|
| Degree title | Bachelor of Science in Marketing | Always |
| School and location | University of Texas, Austin, TX | Always |
| Graduation date | May 2024 | Students or early career |
| GPA | 3.6 | Strong record (often 3.0+) |
| Relevant coursework | Digital marketing analytics | Limited work experience |
| Academic honors | Dean's List | Notable achievement |
Students and recent graduates can add scholarships, club leadership, or capstone projects. See listing scholarships on a resume and Dean's List on a resume for formatting details. Include GPA only when it reflects strong performance — typically above 3.0 and relevant to the role.
How do you list high school education on a resume?
List high school only when it is your highest credential or you are still a student. Include school name, location, and graduation or expected completion date. After you earn a college degree, you can usually drop high school from the resume.
Current high school students may add honors, leadership roles, or athletics when they demonstrate transferable skills and you have little other experience. See first job resume guide for section order.
High school diploma example
High School Diploma Riverview High School | Bozeman, MT 2020 – 2024 National Honor Society member, 2022–2024 Varsity soccer captain, 2023–2024 Volunteer tutor
How do you list a GED on a resume?
Format a GED like a high school diploma: full certificate name plus completion or expected date. If it is your highest qualification, place it clearly in the education section.
GED example
General Education Development Certificate Expected May 2025
How do you list an undergraduate degree on a resume?
Write the full degree name, major, institution, and location. Spell out credentials (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Engineering) unless an abbreviation is standard in your field. List multiple degrees in reverse-chronological order.
Example line: Bachelor of Science in Finance, University of Florida, May 2024
Bachelor's degree example
Bachelor of Science in Engineering University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA May 2024
How do you list postgraduate education on a resume?
Include the full degree title, specialization, institution, and location. In-progress programs should show an expected graduation date. Postgraduate entries usually appear above undergraduate degrees.
Should you include MBA or PhD after your name on a resume?
You may add abbreviated credentials after your name in the header when they are directly relevant — common for MBA, MD, or PhD roles in leadership, academia, or specialized fields. Do not use suffixes that do not match the job or that clutter a one-page resume.
Master's degree example
Master of Business Administration University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX May 2022
Should certifications go in the education section or a separate section?
Either works — choose based on relevance and experience level. Early-career candidates often group certifications with education. Mid-career and senior applicants usually use a separate Certifications or Licenses line so credentials scan faster.
Continuing education (online courses, bootcamps, professional training) belongs in education when you have little else to show, or in a dedicated professional development section when you have substantial work history. See AI certifications for your resume and CPR certification on a resume for field-specific examples.
How do you list continuing education on a resume?
Include course or certification name, provider, and completion or expected date. Keep formatting consistent with degree entries.
Degree plus certification example
Bachelor of Science in Business Ohio State University | Columbus, OH Project Management Professional Project Management Institute | March 2026
How do you list incomplete education on a resume?
List the program, school, credits completed or dates attended, and expected completion if applicable. Avoid wording that sounds like failure — focus on progress and relevant coursework.
In-progress degree example
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ Expected May 2026 Relevant coursework: Software development, data structures, cybersecurity fundamentals President, Computer Science and Engineering Club Capstone: AI-powered chatbot for university IT support (team of four)
How to list continuing education on resume
For ongoing study, lead with degree program, institution, and expected graduation date. Add selective coursework or projects only when they prove skills for the target role.
Continuing education example
Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ Expected May 2026 Relevant coursework: Data visualization, predictive modeling, business intelligence Capstone: Customer segmentation model (Python, SQL) Member, Data Science Student Association
How do you list multiple degrees on a resume?
List degrees in reverse-chronological order, highest or most recent first. Use the same format for each entry: degree, institution, location, date.
Multiple degrees example
Bachelor of Science in Nursing University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX Associate of Science in Nursing Austin Community College | Austin, TX Basic Life Support | American Heart Association | June 2025 Advanced Cardiac Life Support | American Heart Association | June 2025
How do you include academic honors in your education section?
Add honors as bullets directly under the related degree. Strong options include Dean's List, cum laude distinctions, scholarships, and honor society membership — especially when work experience is thin.
- National Honor Society
- Dean's List
- Cum laude / magna cum laude / summa cum laude
- Honor roll
- Valedictorian or salutatorian
- Scholarships
Honors example
High School Diploma Lakeside High School | Denver, CO Expected May 2025 National Honor Society member, 2023–2024 Student of the Month, March 2023 Honor Roll, 2022–2024
Should you include a thesis or dissertation on your resume?
Yes for academic, research, or highly specialized roles; optional elsewhere. List the full title under your postgraduate degree and add one or two bullets on methodology or outcomes if they match the job.
Dissertation example
PhD in Environmental Policy University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, CA Dissertation: “Evaluating Climate Resiliency in Coastal Communities” Field research in three U.S. coastal cities Predictive flood models from climate projections Peer-reviewed journal publication
How does the education section change based on your career stage?
Students and entry-level applicants lead with education and include coursework, honors, and projects. Mid-career professionals shorten the section and move it below experience. Senior leaders keep only the highest credential unless an advanced degree is central to the role.
For perspective on how education correlates with leadership paths, see our analysis of Fortune 500 CEO backgrounds.
Intern education section
Interns should place education high on the page, include expected graduation date, relevant coursework, and any internship-adjacent projects. Pair with resume format for fresh graduates.
Intern education example
Bachelor of Arts in Communications (in progress) State University | Columbus, OH Expected May 2027 Relevant coursework: Public relations, media writing, digital marketing Campus radio station producer
Shop assistant education section
Retail and service roles often need only highest completed credential plus any customer-service or sales training.
Retail education example
High School Diploma Westridge High School | Portland, OR 2019 Customer Service Certificate | National Retail Federation | 2023
Doctor education section
Medical resumes list medical school, residency, fellowships, and board certifications in reverse-chronological order — often as the dominant section early in a clinical career.
Medical education example
Doctor of Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine | Baltimore, MD Internal Medicine Residency Massachusetts General Hospital | Boston, MA Board Certified, American Board of Internal Medicine
CEO education section
Executive resumes typically list an MBA or advanced degree briefly near the bottom unless the search is academic or the degree is a known differentiator.
Executive education example
MBA, Strategy and Finance Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management BS, Mechanical Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology
What resume format best showcases your education?
- Chronological — default for most candidates; education sits below experience once you have a work history. See reverse chronological format.
- Functional / skills-based — can elevate education for career changers or first-time applicants with strong academic records. Use sparingly; many ATS parsers prefer dated experience sections.
- Hybrid / combination — balances skills and timeline; education usually stays lower unless it is the main qualification. Career change format guidance applies when retraining.
Full comparison: resume formats explained.
Resume education FAQs
How do you write your degree on a resume?
Write the full degree name, then major, institution, and graduation date in a consistent format. Widely recognized abbreviations (MBA, PhD) are fine when standard in your industry.
Should you include your GPA on a resume?
Include GPA when you are a student or recent graduate and it is generally 3.0 or above. Experienced professionals usually remove it.
How do you include a gap year on a resume?
If you worked, volunteered, or trained during a gap year, list that under experience or a development section — not under education unless you were enrolled in a formal program.
How far back should your education section go?
Include all completed formal education that supports your field. As experience grows, you may drop dates on older degrees or omit credentials that no longer matter. See how far back a resume should go for parallel guidance on experience.
What are common mistakes when listing education on a resume?
Common errors: inconsistent formatting, irrelevant detail, inflated claims, or burying stronger experience. Always use accurate information — employers can verify degrees. More pitfalls: resume mistakes that get you rejected.
Is it okay to omit education on a resume?
Most candidates should list at least their highest credential. Very experienced professionals may shorten or omit older, irrelevant schooling — but omitting a required degree when the job asks for one will disqualify you.
What is the best way to list education on a resume?
Reverse-chronological order, clear degree and school lines, and placement that matches your career stage. Build the rest of the document in the MakeResume builder, then run it through the ATS checker before you apply.
New to the workforce? Start with building a resume with no experience or writing a resume with no experience — education is often the anchor section in both guides.
Tools & guides mentioned in this article
- AI Resume Builder
Build an ATS-ready resume with AI writing help and live preview.
- First Job Resume Guide
Education often leads the page when experience is thin.
- Fresh Graduate Format
Section order for new grads.
- Scholarships on Resume
Format academic awards under education.
- Dean's List on Resume
Where honors belong in the section.
- CPR Certification
When certs sit with or below degrees.
- Resume Formats
Chronological vs functional placement.
- Free ATS Checker
Upload your resume and get an instant ATS compatibility score.