🎓 How to Write Your Degree on a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide for Success! 😊
1. Start with the Basics: Include Your Degree
Your resume should start with your most recent degree, which you should list in the following order:
- Degree name (e.g., Bachelor of Arts in English)
- Major (e.g., English)
- University or college name (e.g., University of California, Berkeley)
- Location (e.g., Berkeley, CA)
- Dates of attendance (e.g., August 2016 – May 2020)
Example:
Bachelor of Arts in English
Major: English
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
August 2016 – May 2020
2. Highlight Special Honors or Distinctions (If Applicable)
If you graduated with honors or received any special distinctions during your studies, make sure to include them here. This can help you stand out from other candidates and show potential employers that you excelled academically.
Example:
Bachelor of Arts in English (magna cum laude)
Major: English
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
August 2016 – May 2020
3. Consider Including Your GPA (If It’s Impressive)
If you have a strong GPA (3.5 or higher), you may want to include it on your resume. This can be a good way to demonstrate your academic achievements and work ethic.
Example:
Bachelor of Arts in English (magna cum laude)
GPA: 3.8
Major: English
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
August 2016 – May 2020
4. Add Any Relevant Coursework or Projects
If you have any coursework or projects that are particularly relevant to the jobs you’re applying for, you can list them below your degree. This can help employers see how your skills and experience match up with the requirements of the position.
Example:
Bachelor of Arts in English (magna cum laude)
GPA: 3.8
Major: English
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
August 2016 – May 2020
Relevant Coursework:
- Shakespeare’s Tragedies
- Modern American Poetry
- Creative Writing
5. List Your Degree Date (Optional)
While it’s not always necessary to list the date you graduated, some employers may appreciate this information as it can provide context for your experience and qualifications.
Example:
Bachelor of Arts in English (magna cum laude)
GPA: 3.8
Major: English
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
May 2020
6. Use a Consistent Format
To make your resume look professional and easy to read, use a consistent format throughout. This includes using the same font, font size, and spacing for all of your entries.
7. Proofread Carefully
Before you submit your resume, make sure to proofread it carefully for any errors. This includes checking for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues.
Source resumeworded.com
Additional Tips for Writing Your Resume
Use Strong Verbs
When describing your skills and experience, use strong, action-oriented verbs. This will make your resume more dynamic and interesting to read.
Quantify Your Accomplishments
Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments to show potential employers the impact of your work. For example, instead of saying "Managed a team of customer service representatives," you could say "Managed a team of customer service representatives and increased customer satisfaction by 15%."
Tailor Your Resume to Each Job
Take the time to tailor your resume to each job you apply for. This means highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.
Get Feedback
If possible, ask a friend, family member, or career counselor to review your resume and provide feedback. This can help you catch any errors or make improvements.
Comparison Table: How to Write Degree on Resume
| Feature | Best Practices | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Name | Use the full official name of your degree. | Using abbreviations or informal names. |
| Major | List your major below the degree name. | Omitting your major or listing it in the wrong place. |
| University or College Name | Include the full name of your university or college. | Using abbreviations or informal names. |
| Location | List the city and state where your university or college is located. | Omitting the location or listing it incorrectly. |
| Dates of Attendance | Use the month and year you started and finished your degree. | Using only the year or listing the dates incorrectly. |
| Special Honors or Distinctions | Include any special honors or distinctions you received during your studies. | Omitting special honors or distinctions or listing them in the wrong place. |
| GPA | Only include your GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher. | Including your GPA if it’s below 3.5. |
| Relevant Coursework or Projects | List any coursework or projects that are relevant to the jobs you’re applying for. | Including irrelevant coursework or projects or listing them in the wrong place. |
Conclusion
Writing a great resume is essential
FAQ about How to Write Degree on Resume
How do I list my degrees on my resume?
- P: Place your highest degree first, followed by your other degrees in reverse chronological order.
- A: Align the degree name with the right margin and indent the institution name and graduation date with a consistent margin.
Should I include my expected graduation date if I’m still a student?
- P: Yes, list your expected graduation date in parentheses after the degree name.
- A: Example: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Expected May 2024)
What if I have multiple degrees from the same university?
- P: List each degree on a separate line, aligning the degree names with the right margin.
- A: Example:
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics, May 2020
- Master of Business Administration, May 2022
How do I write my degree if I have a minor?
- P: List your major first, followed by your minor in parentheses.
- A: Example: Bachelor of Science in Marketing (Minor in Economics)
Should I include honors or distinctions with my degrees?
- P: Yes, include any academic honors or distinctions after the degree name.
- A: Example: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Summa Cum Laude)
How do I list my online or remote degrees?
- P: Indicate the online or remote status of your degree in parentheses after the institution name.
- A: Example: Master of Education (Online, University of California, Berkeley)
What if I have a degree from a foreign university?
- P: List the degree name in English, followed by the original name of the degree in parentheses.
- A: Example: Master of Science in Engineering (Master of Science in Ingénierie)
How do I format my degree section if I have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree?
- P: Place the master’s degree first, indented under the bachelor’s degree.
- A: Example:
- Master of Science in Computer Science, May 2022
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, May 2020
- Master of Science in Computer Science, May 2022
What if I have honorary degrees?
- P: List honorary degrees in a separate section of your resume, such as "Honorary Degrees."
- A: Example: Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of California, Berkeley, 2020
How do I list degrees that are in progress or incomplete?
- P: Indicate the current status of your degree, such as "In Progress" or "Incomplete."
- A: Example: Master of Social Work (In Progress, Expected May 2025)
