Writing your education section doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s an example of how to format your education section on your resume:
How to format your education section EDUCATION September 20XX
Columbia University, New York, NY
Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy
In this article we show you everything you need to know to list your highest level of education in three simple steps.
What to include in your education section
There are a few standard details you should always include in your resume education section. These are:
- the name and location of the school you received your highest degree from
- your degree name/major (and minor, if applicable)
- your graduation date (or anticipated graduation date)
Beyond this basic information, there are additional details you can include if you want to highlight some of your relevant academic achievements.
Here’s some optional information to consider listing in your education section:
- GPA (if above 3.5): Including a high GPA on your resume demonstrates that you’re capable of producing high-quality work and managing your time well.
- Honors and academic awards: Listing graduation honors (with distinction, cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude), academic awards (such as making the Dean’s list), or honor societies you’re a member of shows employers that you’re a high achiever.
- Scholarships and grants: Including merit-based scholarships and grants indicates to hiring managers that you’re driven and worth investing in.
- Thesis: A completed thesis is definitely an accomplishment worth showing off, particularly if the subject matter is relevant to the industry you’re applying to work in.
- Relevant coursework: Including relevant coursework on your resume shows employers that you have foundational knowledge in your field and skills to build upon.
- Extracurricular activities: If you took part in clubs or sports that demonstrate relevant skills, include these extracurricular activities in your resume as well.
Only list your high school education if it’s your highest degree. If you have a Bachelor’s degree or higher, leave your high school details off your resume and focus on more relevant qualifications like your work experience.
How to format your resume’s education section
You should always bold the most important information in your education section to help it stand out. For most people, this is the name of their school or their degree title.
Here’s an example of how to properly list education on your resume if you’re a recent graduate or you’ve already entered the workforce:
Example #1 recent graduate
EDUCATION
New York University, New York, NY
B.A., Communications, May 20XX
Where to list education on your resume
Where you place your education section in relation to the other parts of your resume helps emphasize (or de-emphasize) your educational background. The best placement for your education section depends on your level of experience.
Put your education section near the top of your resume if:
- you’re writing a student resume or you’re a recent college graduate,
- you’re currently pursuing a degree,
- you lack relevant professional experience but have a degree related to the job you want,
- or if you’re writing a career change resume and your education is more relevant to the position than your work experience.
In these circumstances, emphasizing your education can strengthen your resume, so list your education section above your resume’s work experience section. You could also consider using a format that prioritizes educational achievements, like the Harvard resume template.
But, if you have more than a couple of years of relevant work experience, list your education below your work experience section. For most jobs, your education is less relevant to your ability to do the job than your hands-on work experience.
Resume education section examples
Still not sure what the education section of your resume should look like? Here are several examples that demonstrate the different ways you can format your education section, depending on your current situation.
High school student
If you’re a high school student or don’t have a higher education degree, you should list your high school education on your resume.
Here’s an example of how to list your GED if you’re: Example #2 currently in high school EDUCATION Jefferson High School Example #3 recently graduated from high school EDUCATION Madison High School
Clifton, NJ
Expected graduation date: May 20XX
GPA: 3.7/4.0
Relevant courses: AP Literature, Mathematics, Web Design
San Francisco, CA May 20XX
GPA: 3.8/4.0
If you’ve completed a higher education degree, then there’s no need to include your high school education on your resume.
College/university student
You should always include your degree on your resume even if it’s not relevant to the job you want as a college degree is often a requirement for professional-level positions.
Here’s an example of how to list an unfinished degree on your resume:
Example #4 unfinished degree
EDUCATION
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
20XX – Present
Expected graduation date: May 20XX
GPA: 3.8/4.0
Completed 80 credits towards a B.A. in Communications
Relevant Coursework: English Literature in the 21st Century, Basic Literary Composition, the History of Gilded Age America
Here’s an example of how to list a study abroad program on your resume:
Example #5 study abroad program EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
August 20XX May 20XX
Study Abroad Program in Madrid, Spain
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
January 20XX-May 20XX
If you want to list a double major on your resume, make sure the most relevant major comes first. Here’s an example:
Example #6 with double major
EDUCATION
New York University, New York, NY
Bachelor of Arts
Communications, History
May 20XX
Here’s an example of how to format your education section if you’re adding additional information:
Example #7 including additional information
EDUCATION
May 20XX
New York University, New York, NY
Bachelor of Arts, Communications
Honors: Cum laude (GPA: 3.8/4.0)
Dean’s List for 4 semesters
Thesis: Teenagers, Texting, and Interpersonal Relationships
Relevant Coursework: Language and Identity, Media and Values, Mass Media Law
Active member of the Wagner Student Association and the NYU Arts and Culture Network
If you’re including relevant coursework on your resume, you can choose to format it like the example above, or add more detail by using bullet points that explain what you achieved in each course.
Graduate student (master’s)
Here’s an example of how to list a master’s degree on your resume:
Example #8 Master’s
EDUCATION
MBA
Cornell SC Johnson School of Business, Ithaca, NY
Dean’s List for 4 semesters
Relevant Coursework: Supply Chain Management, Financial Accounting Strategy and Negotiations
Thesis: Supply Chain Management. Differences in Theory and Practice
Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management Baruch College, City University of New York, NY
20XX-20XX
Doctorate student (PhD)
If you’re applying for positions that require a PhD, you should make sure to include your dissertation in addition to when you earned your degree. Here’s an example of how to include a doctoral degree on your resume:
Example #9 PhD
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Economics
New York University, NY
20XX-20XX
Dissertation: In Flux. The Impact of Global Supply Chain Disruption on Inflation Rates
Master of Science in Data Analytics
Fordham University, NY
20XX-20XX
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Columbia University, NY
20XX-20XX
Continuing education
If you’re actively pursuing professional development, or have taken courses to develop industry-specific skills, you can include this experience as continuing education on your resume.
If you just have a course or two to add, it can go in your education section. If you have more, consider making a specific section devoted to your continued education.
Example #10 continuing education
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Finance, Cum Laude
Georgetown University, Washington, DC
August 20XX- May 20XX
Continuing Education:
Data Analytics
Georgetown University, Washington, DC
January 20XX-May 20XX
Digital Marketing
Georgetown University, Washington, DC
September 20XX-December 20XX
Listing relevant courses that you’ve taken since graduating shows employers that you’re a self-starter and motivated to develop professionally.

Leora Joy Jones
Career Expert & Content Writer
Leora Joy Jones is a multidisciplinary creative who writes career content for job seekers. She is passionate about empowering people to invest in personal development. From recent graduates to career changers to DIY freelancers, she aims to cheerlead her readers to make informed choices. Born in the USA and raised in South Africa, Leora now lives and works in Taiwan. She has a BFA in Fine Arts, an MA in Art Curation, and over 10 years experience writing and editing words on many topics. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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