Your education section seems simple: degree, school, graduation date. Done.
But the details matter more than you think. Where you place it, what you include, and how you format it can help—or hurt—your candidacy.
Of employers
Verify education claims during background checks
Source: SHRM Background Check Survey, 2024
This guide covers everything: from basic formatting to handling tricky situations like incomplete degrees, gaps, and international credentials.
Education Section Essentials
- Placement: After work experience (unless you're a recent graduate)
- Include: Degree, major, school name, graduation year, relevant honors
- Optional: GPA (if strong and recent), coursework (if relevant), minor
- Exclude: High school (if you have a college degree), old graduation dates (if you're hiding age)
- Format: Consistent, scannable, ATS-friendly
The Standard Education Format
Here's the basic structure that works for most candidates:
EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Computer Science University of California, Berkeley | May 2022
Full Format with Optional Elements
EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Computer Science University of California, Berkeley | May 2022 GPA: 3.8/4.0 | Magna Cum Laude Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Machine Learning, Database Systems Activities: Computer Science Club (President), Hackathon Organizer
What to Include in Your Education Section
Required Elements
| Element | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Degree type | Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, etc. | Spell out fully |
| Major/Field | in Computer Science, in Marketing | Include minor if relevant |
| School name | Full official name | Don't abbreviate |
| Graduation date | Month Year or Year | "May 2022" or "2022" |
Optional Elements (Include If Strong)
| Element | When to Include | Example |
|---|---|---|
| GPA | 3.5+ and within 3 years of graduation | GPA: 3.75/4.0 |
| Latin honors | If applicable | Magna Cum Laude |
| Dean's List | Multiple semesters | Dean's List (6 semesters) |
| Relevant coursework | Entry-level or career change | Coursework: Python, SQL, Statistics |
| Thesis/Capstone | If relevant to target role | Thesis: "Machine Learning in Healthcare" |
| Minor | If relevant to target role | Minor: Business Administration |
| Study abroad | If relevant or impressive | Study Abroad: Oxford University, UK |
What to Leave Out
Skip These Elements
- GPA below 3.0 (unless explicitly required)
- High school (if you have a college degree)
- Irrelevant coursework
- Graduation date (if more than 15 years ago and concerned about age bias)
- Unfinished degrees with no plan to complete
- Expired certifications
Placement: Before or After Experience?
The placement of your education section signals your priorities.
Education First (Top of Resume)
Use this placement when:
Put Education First If
- You're a recent graduate (0-2 years post-graduation)
- Your degree is more impressive than your work experience
- You're targeting roles that prioritize credentials (academia, research)
- You just completed a relevant graduate degree
- You're changing careers and your new degree is your qualification
Example Layout (Education First):
HEADER / CONTACT INFO EDUCATION WORK EXPERIENCE SKILLS
Education After Experience (Standard)
Use this placement when:
Put Education After Experience If
- You have 2+ years of relevant work experience
- Your work achievements are more impressive than your degree
- You're in a field where experience trumps credentials
- Your degree is standard for your field (not a differentiator)
Example Layout (Experience First):
HEADER / CONTACT INFO PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY WORK EXPERIENCE EDUCATION SKILLS
Formatting by Degree Type
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor of Science in Marketing University of Michigan | May 2021 GPA: 3.6/4.0 | Dean's List
Or without GPA (for experienced professionals):
Bachelor of Arts in English New York University | 2015
Master's Degree
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Harvard Business School | May 2023 Concentration: Finance | GPA: 3.9/4.0
Doctorate / PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science Stanford University | June 2022 Dissertation: "Neural Network Optimization for Large Language Models" Advisor: Dr. Jane Smith
Associate's Degree
Associate of Science in Nursing Miami Dade College | May 2020 GPA: 3.8/4.0 | Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Professional Certifications
CERTIFICATIONS Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute | 2023 AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Amazon Web Services | 2024 Google Analytics Certification | Google | 2024
Multiple Degrees
List degrees in reverse chronological order (most recent first):
EDUCATION Master of Science in Data Science Columbia University | May 2024 Capstone: Predictive Analytics for Supply Chain Optimization Bachelor of Science in Mathematics UCLA | May 2020 Cum Laude | GPA: 3.7/4.0
Dual Degrees or Double Majors
Dual Degrees (different schools or programs):
Master of Business Administration MIT Sloan School of Management | 2024 Master of Public Policy Harvard Kennedy School | 2024
Double Major (same school):
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics Carnegie Mellon University | May 2022 GPA: 3.85/4.0 | Summa Cum Laude
Handling GPA: When to Include It
GPA is a signal of academic performance—but its relevance declines quickly.
| Situation | Include GPA? | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| GPA 3.5+, recent graduate | Yes | Strong signal of academic excellence |
| GPA 3.0-3.49, recent graduate | Maybe | Include if job requires or industry values it |
| GPA below 3.0 | No | Draws attention to weakness |
| More than 3 years post-graduation | Rarely | Work experience matters more now |
| Graduate degree | Usually yes if strong | Graduate GPAs are typically higher |
| Applying to finance/consulting | Yes | Industry expects it for junior roles |
The Major GPA Option
If your major GPA is significantly higher than your overall GPA:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science University of Texas at Austin | May 2023 Major GPA: 3.7/4.0
Honesty Note
If asked directly for your overall GPA, provide it honestly. Major GPA is a legitimate alternative when not specifically asked, but never misrepresent it as your overall GPA.
Relevant Coursework: When and How
Relevant coursework helps when you lack direct work experience in your target field.
When to Include Coursework
Include Coursework If
- You're a recent graduate with limited work experience
- You're changing careers and coursework demonstrates new skills
- The job posting specifically requests certain technical knowledge
- Your degree doesn't obviously connect to the role
How to Format Coursework
Option 1: Integrated with Degree
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Penn State University | May 2024 Relevant Coursework: Financial Modeling, Data Analysis, Marketing Analytics
Option 2: Separate Section
RELEVANT COURSEWORK Data Structures & Algorithms, Machine Learning, Database Management, Software Engineering, Computer Networks, Operating Systems
Keep It Relevant
Only include coursework directly relevant to the target role. A computer science grad applying to a software role doesn't need to list "English 101" or "Introduction to Psychology."
Special Situations
Incomplete Degrees
If you attended college but didn't finish:
Currently Enrolled:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (In Progress) Arizona State University | Expected Graduation: May 2026 60 credits completed
No Longer Enrolled (Some Benefit):
Coursework in Computer Science (90 credits) University of Washington | 2018-2021 Focus: Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Management
No Longer Enrolled (Minimal Benefit): Consider omitting entirely if the incomplete degree doesn't add value and you have other qualifications.
Currently Pursuing a Degree
Master of Business Administration (In Progress) Northwestern Kellogg School of Management | Expected: May 2026 Part-time program | Specialization: Marketing
Gap Between High School and College
If there's a significant gap, you don't need to explain it in the education section. Address it in your cover letter if relevant.
International Degrees
For non-US degrees applying to US positions:
Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Computer Science University of Manchester, United Kingdom | 2021 First Class Honours (Equivalent to US GPA: 3.9/4.0)
Or with credential evaluation:
Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | 2020 Credential Evaluation: World Education Services (WES)
Self-Taught / No Degree
Focus on certifications, bootcamps, and demonstrated skills:
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS Full Stack Web Development Certificate App Academy | 2023 | 1,000+ hours of immersive training AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate | 2024 Google Professional Data Engineer | 2023 Continuous Learning: Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning (Python for Data Science, SQL Masterclass, Agile Project Management)
High School: When to Include It
Of cases
High school should NOT be on your resume
Source: Industry Best Practice
Include High School Only If:
High School Inclusion Criteria
- It's your highest level of education
- You attended a prestigious specialized high school relevant to your field
- You're still in college and applying for internships
- The job explicitly requires high school diploma verification
High School Format (When Required)
High School Diploma Phillips Exeter Academy | 2018
Or for specialized schools:
High School Diploma, Computer Science Focus Stuyvesant High School | New York, NY | 2018 Advanced Placement: Computer Science A (5), Calculus BC (5), Physics C (5)
Online Courses and Certifications
Online learning has become widely accepted. Include it strategically.
What to Include
| Include ✅ | Skip ❌ |
|---|---|
| Google Data Analytics Certificate | Incomplete Coursera courses |
| AWS Certified Developer | Courses without certificates |
| HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification | Very short courses (<10 hours) |
| Meta Front-End Developer Certificate | Courses from unknown platforms |
| Salesforce Administrator Certification | Irrelevant hobby courses |
Format for Online Credentials
CERTIFICATIONS Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | Google | 2024 • 200+ hours of training in data analysis, SQL, R, and Tableau AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Amazon Web Services | 2024 HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification | HubSpot | 2023
Bootcamps and Intensive Programs
Coding bootcamps and professional development programs should be treated as education:
EDUCATION Full Stack Web Development Program General Assembly | New York, NY | 2024 12-week immersive program covering JavaScript, React, Node.js, PostgreSQL Capstone: E-commerce platform handling 10K+ concurrent users Bachelor of Arts in Economics University of Colorado Boulder | 2018
Bootcamp Positioning
For career changers, bootcamps can appear before traditional degrees if they're more relevant to the target role. Lead with your strongest qualification.
Hiding Graduation Dates (Age Discrimination)
Older candidates may choose to omit graduation dates to avoid age bias:
With Dates:
Bachelor of Science in Accounting University of Illinois | May 1995
Without Dates:
Bachelor of Science in Accounting University of Illinois
Removing Dates May Help If
- You have 15+ years of experience
- You're concerned about age discrimination
- Your experience speaks for itself
Keep Dates If
- Gaps become more visible without timeline context
- Recruiters may assume the worst
- Some industries expect complete information
Consider the Trade-Off
Removing dates is legal and common, but creates a gap in your timeline. Pair this with also removing older jobs to maintain consistency. If only your education dates are missing, it looks suspicious.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Including Irrelevant Details
| Too Much ❌ | Just Right ✅ |
|---|---|
| Every course you ever took | 3-5 relevant courses max |
| High school achievements (with a degree) | Just the degree |
| Dormitory address | Just school and graduation |
| Every club you joined | Leadership positions only |
Mistake 2: Lying About Credentials
Of employers
Verify education claims through background checks
Source: HireRight Employment Screening Report, 2024
Never claim a degree you don't have. Falsifying education is one of the top reasons for offer rescission and termination.
Mistake 3: Inconsistent Formatting
If one degree has full details and another is sparse, it looks sloppy:
Inconsistent:
MBA, Harvard Business School, Cambridge MA, May 2020, Finance Concentration, 3.9 GPA, Beta Gamma Sigma BS Marketing - UCLA 2016
Consistent:
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Harvard Business School | May 2020 Concentration: Finance | GPA: 3.9/4.0 Bachelor of Science in Marketing UCLA | May 2016
Education Section Templates
Recent Graduate Template
EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Data Science University of Michigan | May 2024 GPA: 3.75/4.0 | Magna Cum Laude | Dean's List (7 semesters) Relevant Coursework: Machine Learning, Statistical Analysis, Data Visualization, Database Management, Python Programming, Big Data Analytics Honors & Activities: • Data Science Club (Vice President) • Undergraduate Research Assistant, AI Lab • Hackathon Winner, Michigan Data Challenge 2023
Experienced Professional Template
EDUCATION MBA, Marketing Columbia Business School | 2018 Bachelor of Arts, Communications Boston University | 2012
Career Changer Template
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS Google UX Design Professional Certificate | 2024 6-month program covering user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing Bachelor of Arts in Psychology University of Oregon | 2015 Relevant Skills: User behavior research, data analysis, presentation design
Final Checklist
Education Section Quality Check
- Degree type is spelled out completely
- School name matches official records
- Graduation date format is consistent
- GPA is included only if beneficial (3.0+ for recent grads)
- Relevant coursework supports your candidacy
- Placement reflects your career stage
- High school is omitted (if you have a college degree)
- International degrees include equivalency if helpful
- Certifications are current and relevant
- Formatting matches the rest of your resume
The Bottom Line
Your education section supports your candidacy—it doesn't define it (unless you're a recent graduate).
For most professionals, keep it clean and concise: degree, school, year. Save the details for what matters most: your work experience and achievements.
For recent graduates and career changers, education can be your strongest section. Maximize it with relevant coursework, honors, projects, and certifications that demonstrate your qualifications.
Either way, format it consistently, verify its accuracy, and position it strategically.
Build a professional education section
Our builder helps you format degrees, certifications, and coursework for maximum impact—automatically optimized for ATS systems.
Start Building FreeRelated Resources
- •GPA on Resume— When to include your GPA
- •Certifications on Resume— Format certifications properly
- •Resume Section Order— Optimize your layout
- •Resume Builder— Build your resume
- •Student Resume Guide— Resumes for students
Frequently Asked Questions
Should education go before or after work experience?
For most professionals, education goes after work experience. Exception: Recent graduates (under 2 years post-graduation) and career changers pursuing a new degree should list education first, as it's their strongest qualification for the target role.
Should I include my GPA on my resume?
Include GPA if it's 3.5+ (or 3.0+ if the job requires it) and you're a recent graduate. Remove GPA once you have 2-3 years of work experience—by then, your professional achievements matter more than academic performance.
Do I need to include high school on my resume?
No, if you have a college degree. High school should only appear if it's your highest level of education or if you attended a particularly prestigious or relevant high school (e.g., specialized STEM school for tech roles).
How do I list unfinished degrees or courses?
List as 'Coursework toward [Degree]' or 'X credits completed toward [Degree]' with the school name and dates. If you're actively pursuing the degree, note 'Expected graduation: [Date]' to show it's in progress.
Should I include online courses and certifications?
Yes, if they're relevant to your target role. Include certifications in your Education section or a separate Certifications section. Prioritize recognized credentials (Google, AWS, HubSpot) over courses without certificates.
