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How to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume (with Examples)

13 min read · Updated on September 11, 2023

If you are a recent graduate struggling with a lack of work experience, knowing how to include relevant coursework on a resume can be one of the best ways to create a more compelling resume narrative.

One thing that many recent college graduates have in common with one another is a general lack of work experience. That lack of experience can sometimes make it difficult for them to construct a resume that sells their potential to be the best candidate for a job. Fortunately, there are ways to still create a strong and compelling resume, even without experience. For example, did you take classes that might be relevant to the position? If so, including relevant coursework on your resume may be the perfect solution to your resume challenges.

In this post, we will explain how you can identify relevant coursework and where it should be listed in your resume. We will also include several examples of relevant coursework on a resume so that you can see the best options for using these details to strengthen your job search efforts.

What is relevant coursework?

Of course, when we talk about relevant coursework, we are talking about those classes and educational activities that have direct relevance to the position you are seeking. The first thing you need to recognize is that many of the classes you took during your college career will not need to be included in your resume. After all, most degrees require that students complete any number of basic foundational courses that will have little if any relation to their chosen job — at least from a resume standpoint. 

So, what types of classes, achievements, and activities should you focus on as you identify suitable courses to add to your resume? While this sounds like a simple question, it actually requires some serious thought and evaluation. Fortunately, there are some basic rules that you can follow as you make that determination. Below are just some of the potentially relevant things that you might want to include in your resume: 

Coursework that demonstrates that you have a foundation of knowledge in a required aspect of the job you are seeking. For example, if communication skills are needed for the position, you should include courses that focused on business communications, writing, etc.

Projects that are related to particular job skills. For a marketing position, you should include any marketing-related projects you completed during your studies. Or you could include research projects you engaged in if you are seeking a job where research skills are essential.

Academic achievements can also be included, including notably high GPA scores or awards you received. Also, be sure to include any related extracurricular activities. That could include everything from clubs to sporting activities if they helped you develop skills that would be useful for the job.

Again, do not include coursework that has no bearing on the job at hand. This will require you to carefully consider each course to determine its relevance. One way to do that is to read the job posting and select keywords and phrases of import that seem to be describing the skills or educational qualifications needed for the job. Then go through your coursework and try to match courses to those skills. As you do so, remember that some basic courses like those involving communication—both written and verbal—may be included, since communication is one of those soft skills that every company values .

You can learn more about the difference between hard and soft skills by reading our excellent article, Key Differences Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills . A better understanding of those critical soft skills can help to ensure that you don't underestimate the value of any of your classes. There's a great chance that you have more marketable soft skills than you realize! 

When should you include relevant courses on your resume?

Before you add your job-related classes to your resume, you should decide whether it is necessary. For example, you can almost certainly benefit from including your relevant coursework on your resume if: 

You recently graduated from school or are beginning the process of looking for a job because you are close to graduation. Students and recent graduates typically have little or no real job experience to highlight skills. Fortunately, their studies and project assignments will likely have helped them to develop important skills that they can highlight in their resumes.

Your educational achievements are necessary to qualify for the position you are seeking. In those instances, your prospective employer will be interested in knowing that you have fulfilled those requirements and have the basic knowledge needed for the position.

There may also be times when you need to include coursework even after you have been in the workforce for some time. For example, if you are switching careers and your current work experience does not include the skills needed for your new job, that may not matter as much if you can show that your studies prepared you for the role. 

Including coursework related to your minor

As you select relevant coursework for your resume, don't forget to consider courses of study related to your minor too. Hopefully, you will have selected a minor that is at least tangentially related to your desired career path. If so, then chances are that some of the courses you completed may have some relevance that can translate to a useful resume listing. For more information about minors and when they can be added to your resume, read How to Include a Minor on Your Resume .

When should I take coursework off my resume?

Obviously, there will be times when you should forgo any mention of your courses in your resume. Some examples of situations where you might not need to list your specific coursework include:

When your coursework is not really relevant to the position you seek. Including irrelevant coursework could actually distract from your important skills and experiences.

Situations in which coursework was completed so long ago that the information is no longer useful. For instance, many technology-related courses can lose their value over time. Other examples include old marketing courses and other educational achievements that involve skills that have evolved rapidly in recent years.

If your resume is already filled with enough work experience and skills that there is no need or room for specific course details. Remember, you want to add your courses to enhance your value as an employee. If adding a particular course does nothing more than add length to the resume, skip it. 

Where should relevant coursework be listed in your resume?

In most resumes, the coursework should be placed in the education section, with a subheading titled “Relevant Coursework.” When creating this part of the education section, you should insert the subheading under the name of your degree, with a list of the courses you studied. For example:

Bachelor's in [Name of Degree]

[College Name, City, Graduation Date]

Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2], [Course 3], [Course 4], [Course 5]

Alternatively, you can also opt to show your courses in a bullet-point list if your resume is short and you need to fill more space. You can even elaborate on each course with a few words to describe the skills you learned in class. For example:

Relevant Coursework:

If you have no actual work experience, you may even want to consider using your education section as a substitute for that experience section. If you choose that option, you may want to place the education section closer to the top of your resume and flesh out each course in the same way you would detail a job listing in your work experience section. That means using detailed descriptions that include quantifiable results highlighting your achievements.

Key tips to remember when listing relevant coursework

Before we show you some examples of how to list relevant coursework on your resume, there are a few tips that can help to ensure that your final product is as compelling as possible. By incorporating these ideas into your resume creation process, you can more effectively make that all-important great first impression on any hiring manager.

Only list relevant coursework if you lack sufficient work experience to meet the job requirements.

Always make sure that the courses you list highlight skills and knowledge needed for the position. If a course has nothing to do with your chosen line of work, it has no place in your resume.

Relevant courses may be related to hard and soft skills.

If you choose to use descriptions for each course, use that as an opportunity to insert relevant keywords from the job description. This can be a great way to ensure that your resume can get past any applicant tracking system .

Always proofread your entire resume to eliminate spelling mistakes, punctuation and grammar errors, and style or formatting discrepancies.

Make sure that you tailor your resume to fit the job you want. Since you will likely be applying for different jobs during your job search, you may need to modify your educational coursework details to align with the needs of each position.

Do not forget to include important skill information in your coursework descriptions. Again, try to use those job description keywords.

If you are maintaining an updated resume throughout your educational career, be sure to continually edit your resume as your coursework evolves over time. This can make it easier to keep it updated and can save you some time when your job search begins.

3 Examples of relevant coursework on a resume

In this final section, we will explore some different examples to show you how you can successfully incorporate relevant coursework into your resume. We have included a couple of examples of the most basic listing options, as well as an expanded sample that enables you to provide more details and skills. You can refer to these samples and use them as guides as you create your own relevant coursework section.

Example #1: The Basics

Bachelor's in Information Technology

My College, Anytown 2022

Relevant Coursework: Cyber Security 101, Business Intelligence, Application Development, Networking and Telecom, Artificial Intelligence

This simple listing would be a good option for anyone who has at least some relevant work experience but who still needs an additional boost to meet the job requirements. In this case, the job seeker's coursework listing is presented in a minimalist format, documenting the specific courses and areas of focus—but without any other information about those studies.

Example #2: Bulletpoint List of Courses

Cyber Security 101

Business Intelligence

Application Development

Networking and Telecom

Artificial Intelligence

This option is similar to the first example but presents the classes and areas of focus as separate bullet points. This provides additional emphasis for each area of study, while also taking up a bit more space in the resume. This can be a great option if your resume is a little short and you need to expand the content.

Example #3: Detailed Format

My College, Anytown

Completed in 2022

Certified Cyber Security Expert, skilled in protecting data, information, and infrastructure.

Coursework included training on risk analysis, threat mitigation, compliance assurance, and cloud security.

Completed multiple projects and research assignments designed to test knowledge and adaptability to various types of cyber threats.

 Business Intelligence

Business analytics certificate, training focused on data interpretation and communication to resolve business problems with a data mindset.

Course included 3 projects testing analytical skills using hypothetical business challenges based on real-world business scenarios.

 Application Development

Courses focused on the development of software coding skills used for web application creation, troubleshooting, and debugging.

Final course project involved the creation of an independent web app to streamline online sales processes for a test company.

Training focused on routing, packet switching, and cybersecurity needs.

Spent eight weeks as a volunteer networking intern for a local ISP, receiving hands-on training from experienced networking professionals.

AI and machine learning studies, emphasizing tech integration into business processes, impact on sales and marketing, and ethical concerns.

Conducted study for the course final, evaluating potential AI benefits for enhanced marketing in the digital age and impact on online sales.

This more detailed example is a superior option for those who have no work experience and need their educational credentials to highlight their skills. In this sample, each area of interest is accompanied by bullet point details describing the types of courses studied and the lessons or skills developed during those classes. In addition, bullet points are added to highlight specific achievements, describe studies and real-world application of skills, and demonstrate competency in the subject matter.

This type of format can enable your coursework section to serve as a replacement for work experience if you have never been employed. When used for that purpose, you can expand on each course listing to include additional skills and keywords from the job post. Simply add new bullet points where needed to flesh out each area of emphasis.

Again, if you choose to replace your work experience section with this relevant coursework section, make sure that you move this section closer to the top of your resume so that it receives more prominence. Basically, if your strongest selling point is your education, then make sure that your important courses are one of the first things that a prospective employer sees. Also, you may want to highlight your educational qualifications in your resume summary so that the reader expects to see those coursework details.

Don't underestimate the power of a well-crafted and compelling resume

Finally, it is important to reiterate just how vital it is that your resume makes the best possible impression. When you approach the labor market with little or no work experience, you are usually already at a competitive disadvantage. There will almost always be someone else who has a similar level of skill and educational background, as well as real-world experience. To compete against a qualified rival, you need a resume that can effectively sell you as the best candidate for the job.

For recent graduates and job seekers moving to entirely new careers, a lack of relevant work experience can be a major impediment to landing job interviews and employment offers. One way to overcome this obstacle is to learn how to use relevant educational coursework on your resume to highlight your qualifications and skills. Hopefully, this post and its resume examples can provide you with the inspiration and help you need to translate your educational experience into a compelling resume narrative. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that your resume effectively positions you to have the best chance at landing any interview and job. To make sure that your resume is up to par, get a  free resume review  today. And if you really want to be sure that your resume is ready for prime time, take a few moments to discover just how easy it is to get professional resume assistance from our team of experts!

Recommended Reading:

What Should I Say About My Education On My Resume?

Ask Amanda: What's the Best Way to List Education on a Resume?

14 Reasons This is a Perfect Recent College Grad Resume Example

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How to List Relevant Coursework On Resume [Tips & Examples!]

If you’re a college student, recent graduate, or entry-level professional, chances are you don’t have a lot of professional experience to list on your resume. 

This, in turn, might make you feel insecure about your application, especially considering that the work experience section is among the most important section of a resume. 

Well, listing your relevant coursework might just be the answer!

By listing the courses that are relevant to the job position or internship you’re applying for, you can show recruiters that while you don’t have much work experience, you have the right skills and knowledge for the job.

But what is the right way to list relevant coursework on your resume and is there a time when you shouldn’t list it all? And what exactly is relevant, to begin with?

In this article, we’re going to answer all those questions and more. Read on to learn:

When Is Relevant Coursework Necessary on a Resume?

• How to List Relevant Coursework on Your Resume in 3 Steps

7 Tips on Listing Relevant Coursework on Your Resume

Resume example with relevant coursework.

And more! Let’s dive right in. 

What Makes Coursework Relevant?

Professional experience is one of the most important sections of a successful resume, but you first need to land a job to start building it. 

Which begs the question, how can a recent graduate or entry-level professional prove they’ve got what it takes for an entry-level position with no, or minimal, professional experience ? 

Well, this is where coursework comes in. 

Together with academic projects and achievements, as well as extracurricular activities, listing relevant coursework can help students and entry-level professionals show they’ve got the necessary skills for the job despite not having the relevant professional experience.

The coursework you list on your resume should actually be related to the position you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as a graphic designer, listing your achievements in your World History class won’t really impress recruiters. If, on the other hand, you mention that you were top of your class in Design and Layout , you’ll be effectively showing recruiters that you have great potential as an up-and-coming graphic designer. 

To sum things up, here are the top cases when relevant coursework is necessary on a resume:

• When you’re still a student
• When you’re applying with an entry-level resume
• When you’re applying for an internship
• When the coursework is directly related to the job position 

If, on the other hand, you have 2+ years of work experience in the field, as well as the needed skill-set, coursework on your resume will only take up space and can be skipped entirely.

Checking the job description is another way of determining whether you should add relevant coursework to your resume. If, for example, the job description requires that you list your majors, GPA, diploma, or portfolio, chances are they’ll also be interested in your coursework, especially if it’s relevant to the position. 

How to List Relevant Coursework on Your Resume in 3 Steps 

So you’ve established that you should include relevant coursework on your resume. Now, you may be wondering where exactly to include it. 

As a rule of thumb, coursework is listed under an applicant’s education history. Depending on whether you have any professional experience to list, the education section may come before or after the work experience section. 

Here are the four best ways to add relevant coursework to your resume: 

#1. Add a New Line in Your Education Section

Instead of creating a fresh section called “Relevant Coursework,” you’re better off just adding the courses to your education section.

As a student resume can be one-page max , this helps you to save up the space needed for other essential resume sections.

Here’s a practical example of what this looks like on the resume of a recent graduate applying for a high-school teaching position: 

BA in World Literature 

UC Berkeley

2012 - 2016

Relevant coursework: British Literature, American Literature, Medieval Literature, William Shakespeare, Language and Cognitive Development 

#2. List Your Relevant Coursework in Bullet Points

To make your relevant coursework more visible and reader-friendly, list them in bullet points underneath your diploma title. 

Here’s how the above Literature graduate’s resume would look like following this formatting: 

Relevant Coursework: 

• British Literature
• American Literature 
• Medieval Literature 
• William Shakespeare 
• Language and Cognitive Development

#3. Explain How The Coursework is Relevant to the Position 

Finally, if you want to take your relevant coursework resume section to the next level, add detailed explanations to your courses to support how they’re relevant to the position you’re applying for or how they helped develop your skill-set. 

A recent study found that companies are suspending the use of degree completion as a proxy and instead now favor hiring on the basis of demonstrated skills and competencies . This means that your relevant coursework should aim to show exactly how it has helped you acquire the skills required for the position. 

Here’s an example of how that would play out for a journalism student applying for an entry-level reporting job at a newspaper:

B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication

Northwestern University, IL

2015 - 2018

• Writing and Reporting: Learned the ins and outs of news reporting through several practical assignments and exams.
• Media Ethics: Got introduced to the most essential ethical theories and decision-making strategies in journalism and wrote a paper on Ethical Journalism and Human Rights that got published in the Political Communication Journal.
• Gathering and Developing the News: Gained first-hand experience in interviewing, researching, newsgathering, and communicating with sources.

To make sure your coursework is as relevant as possible, check out the required skills in the job description. If you have taken classes that have helped you master those skills, then make sure to mention how by adding all the necessary details, as shown above. 

Here are seven tips you should always keep in mind when listing coursework on your resume: 

• Take advantage of keywords . When evaluating your resume, recruiters scan it to look for the keywords that were mentioned in the job description (e.g. skills, experiences, etc.). You can re-read the job ad and, where relevant, include these keywords in your coursework section.
• Tailor your resume to the job offer.  In order for your coursework to add value to your resume, it really needs to be relevant. So, if you’re applying for a job that doesn’t take academic background into consideration or that’s completely unrelated to your major, you’re better off omitting coursework altogether and focusing on other important sections, such as your hard and soft skills. 
• List online courses. If you’ve completed some online courses that are relevant to the position you’re applying for, feel free to also include them under relevant coursework. 
• Add value through other academic achievements. Relevant coursework can say a lot about your potential, but recruiters will be even more easily convinced if you support it with other academic achievements, including your GPA, extracurricular activities, etc. 
• Show how you’ve grown. When you’re explaining your relevant coursework in detail, you can include how you’ve grown by listing all the skills you acquired in the process. Those can be both soft skills, like communication and interpersonal skills, and hard skills like programming or doing extensive research. 
• Change the relevant coursework as you progress. Many college students start working in their freshman year. If that’s the case with you, make sure to update your resume from year to year to reflect your academic journey and most recently acquired skills. 
• Check for errors. A well-written, error-free resume shows that you’re attentive to detail and that you care to make a good impression. 

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! You now have all the necessary information to add relevant coursework to your resume effectively. 

Before you start working on your resume, though, here’s a brief summary of the key points covered in this article:

• Listing relevant coursework on your resume is not mandatory but can be very helpful if you’re a student or an entry-level professional.
• If you have at least a year of professional experience, drop your relevant coursework and focus on tailoring your work experience and skills sections to the position. 
• Relevant coursework typically goes under the education section. You can either give a general or a detailed summary of your coursework. 
• You can make a separate relevant coursework section only if the job you’re applying for requires a strong academic record. 
• Your coursework needs to be relevant to the position. This means you should leave them out of your resume if they have nothing to do with the role.

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How to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume

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Should you include relevant coursework on your resume?

How to include relevant coursework on your resume, tips for mentioning relevant coursework on a resume, relevant coursework on a resume template, example of relevant coursework on a resume.

Highlighting relevant coursework on your resume as a student or recent graduate can offer some advantages. Students must often have to take a different approach when they don’t have much work experience to put on their resume. This article explains how to include relevant coursework on your resume so you can enhance your image when applying for a job.

Here are some situations in which it’s appropriate to include relevant coursework on your resume:

You don’t yet have much work experience

Work experience is a necessity for a resume. However, if you are inexperienced, submitting a resume with relevant coursework details can improve your chances of recruitment.

Coursework is relevant to the position

You should consider the type of job you are applying for before including any coursework. Different jobs have varying levels of educational requirements. Usually, relevant coursework details are important to add to a resume for an entry-level position that’s relevant to your desired career.

The coursework would benefit you in the position

Make sure that any coursework you add shows the employer your qualifications for the position. For example, if you are applying to be a professor or a researcher at an academic organization, it’s a good idea to add coursework that highlights your academic achievements.

The coursework positioning improves the look and style of your resume

Your coursework details should improve the appearance and content of your resume. In addition, make sure your coursework details only add as much to your resume as is necessary. You can add the most relevant classes to help save room and keep.

Consider the following steps while including relevant coursework on your resume:

1. Firstly, make sure your placement is accurate

The placement of your coursework information can create a big difference in the effectiveness of your resume. If your resume is meant to highlight your educational achievements, you may place it near the top of your document. However, coursework showing your experience or skills could be placed in the skills section. If your coursework is related to a specific type of job, you may include it in the education section.

2. Secondly, include only the most relevant details

You may mention the relevant coursework alone instead of adding other classes to your resume. This is also a good place to highlight any volunteer opportunities you’ve undertaken if you don’t have any prior work experience.

3. Thirdly, highlight the coursework with academic achievements

You can make your coursework more credible to the recruiter if it is supported by high grades that you have achieved in your classes. You may also add related educational awards to help create a positive impression on your potential employer. You can mention your academic honors, awards and other test scores that are relevant to your resume’s purpose.

4. Next, mention relevant personality factors or experience

If you have a skill that complements your coursework, you may include it on your resume. For example, if you are applying for a position as a content writer and mention coursework in which you were required to create an online magazine, you could discuss your ability to create search engine optimized content. Another method is to add relevant projects that you’ve completed. For example, you may mention any research papers you wrote that are pertinent to the job.

5. Fifthly, include online courses

Many people take online courses in their free time to enhance their professional skills. You can add these courses to your resume if they are relevant to your job application. If you have taken an optional course designed to improve your performance at work, include any relevant experience you gained from it.

6.  Next, make sure to include the job post’s keywords

You may include keywords from the job post when discussing your coursework. The employer may find it relevant and thoughtful, and it can also help your resume make it through any applicant tracking systems the employer may be using. For example, if the employer talks about the importance of programming skills in their job posting, you can discuss a project in which you used JavaScript to help create a website. 

7. After that, create an additional section if needed

You may create a subsection in the education section of your resume to make your coursework look more relevant to the job. You may use detailed bullet points mentioning crucial information about the coursework. 

For example, if you include writing coursework, you may mention any specific writing formats or referencing styles you learned. You may create another section if you are creating an online resume that anyone can access. In some cases, it may be better to list your coursework details on a subsection on your webpage dedicated to your educational achievements.

8. Finally, always stay relevant

Any coursework you put on your resume must always be related to the job. It should be direct enough to convince the employer that you have the required skill set for the position. You may also include your most recent coursework if it applies to the position you’re seeking. 

Below are some additional tips that can help you effectively add relevant coursework to your resume:

• Proofread and edit. Make sure to thoroughly edit your resume to remove out any redundancies from the coursework section. 
• Consider the employer’s perspective. Ask yourself how your potential employer would view the courses and projects you’ve mentioned in your resume. Include them only if you believe it would impress the hiring manager.
• Use consistent formatting. Follow the same format when referring to all coursework material to create a more formal and professional look to your resume.
• Include the necessary details. Add details about the coursework you mention, such as the projects you completed or the professional skills you learned.

It’s a good idea to prioritize your most relevant courses and projects when adding these details to your resume as a student or recent graduate.

Here’s a template you can use if you’re considering adding coursework to your resume:

[Name and location of school]

[Years attended]

[Details about the coursework that explain the professional skills you gained from it] 

Below is an example of relevant coursework that has been added to a resume:

Resume example for a market research analyst position

Paramount University, Providence, RI

2014 to 2018

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with courses related to institutional and educational sociology, psychology and sociological culture.

Relevant coursework

• Institutional sociology: Explored the influence of various social institutions on the process of socialization.
• Educational sociology: Learned how education plays a crucial role in defining the social structure of society, which can guide the direction of a marketing campaign
• Psychology and sociology:  Gained a thorough understanding of the link between sociology and psychology as social sciences that interact in the real world.
• Sociological culture:  Explored the various ways in which culture is defined by sociology, which could influence different markets and their preferences

Resume example for an HR position

Inston  College, Nashville, TN 2015 to 2019 Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, with courses focusing on project management, leadership, recruitment and staffing

• Motivation theories: Learned different practices for improving employee morale, studying real-life examples as guides
• Recruitment processing: Practiced creating recruitment forms and job descriptions. Studied the process involved in interviewing applicants and choosing the correct candidate for the job.

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How to list relevant coursework on your resume

Coursework Resume Example 1: Bullet Points

Coursework resume example 2: bullet points and definitions , coursework resume example 3: standard list , coursework resume example 4: mix and match , coursework resume example for a specialized degree program, project-based coursework resume example, 1. make sure the coursework is relevant , 2. keep things brief, clear, and simple , 3. proofread and edit your education section , 4. use specific keywords, if possible , 5. quantify your achievements .

By showcasing your most impressive projects and coursework for recruiters to see, you can give yourself the extra edge that might just land you the interview.

Fresh-faced and eager to learn? If you’re a recent graduate or current student with little work experience, the education section of your resume has to shine. Never fear. You can make up for what you lack in hands-on experience by focusing on the lessons you learned at college. 

Showcasing your coursework front and center is one way to go. While including relevant courses and projects on your resume is optional, it’s well worth considering. So long as the coursework is relevant to the job at hand, highlighting it on your resume is a savvy move. 

Perfecting the art of resume creation takes time. Should you want your college coursework to steal the limelight, you need to know how to format it. Here at Resume.io, we’ve got you covered. Within this quick blog, we will take a look at the following topics: 

What counts as relevant coursework on your resume?

• What additional achievements, if any, should you include on your resume?
• How to include relevant coursework on your resume
• Tips for writing an effective resume whatever your experience.

Before you sit down at your computer and get to work, you need to know one thing: What counts as  relevant coursework on your resume? The answer depends on the job you’re applying for. So, before you go into too much detail, question the value of the course.

Back when you studied for your degree or diploma, you likely completed a range of projects and coursework. Some of these will apply to the jobs you’re applying for, while others will not. Knowing the difference is key. 

Let’s look at an example to illustrate this point. Say you are applying for a position as an accountant. For this type of position, your coursework in using Microsoft Excel is 100% relevant. You should put it on your resume. However, if you took an additional French language course, it’s unlikely to matter to the employer. Leave it off.

Put yourself in the employer’s shoes. Before you include any coursework on your resume, ask yourself what it tells the hiring manager about you. How does this coursework relate to the role? What skills did it teach you that you will use when on the job? If you can’t answer these two questions, you might not want to include it at all. 

Aside from any relevant coursework, you may want to include projects, awards , or training that you completed while studying. Don’t hold back here. Remember you are up against hundreds of other candidates, and so you need to elevate your application.

How to include relevant coursework on your resume + examples

Do you have some relevant coursework that will knock recruiters’ socks off? You can include these details in your education section beneath the corresponding degree or diploma. However, there are different ways that you can lay this out. If you’re not sure where to start, here are four options that may work well. 

First up, you can bullet-point the coursework you completed under the diploma title. Recruiters spend a matter of seconds reviewing each new application that lands on their desk. For that reason, keep it short and snappy with this format to grab their attention. 

Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Media

The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 

Sept 2008 - Jun 2011

Relevant Coursework: 

• Graphic Design (Adobe InDesign and Photoshop)
• Copywriting and Editing
• History of Advertising

Everyone looks for jobs with no job experience so don't worry! There are several ways to show what you are capable of!

Want to add more weight to your argument? You can use the bullet point and definitions approach. That is what it sounds like. You bullet-point the coursework and add a definition of what you learned. Stick to no more than one sentence to save some space.  

• Graphic Design – Intro to basic-level design using Adobe software including InDesign and Photoshop.
• Copywriting and Editing – Studied the theory behind creating effective advertising copy and the principles of editing.
• History of Advertising — Research into the history of advertising dating back to the early 1900s up to the modern-day.
• Media Law — Examination in the fundamentals of media and copyright law.

Resume real estate is valuable. If you don’t have much white space on this document, you may not be able to bullet-point your relevant coursework. Luckily, there is another option. You can list your achievements beneath your diploma, using a comma to separate them. 

Relevant Courses: 

Graphic Design (Adobe InDesign and Photoshop), Copywriting and Editing, Script Writing, Administration, History of Advertising, Photography, and Media Law.

“Cum laude” seems like a worthwhile resume detail to impress hiring managers, but how exactly should it be listed on your resume? And is it always a good idea to include Latin honors? Resume.io is here with practical advice in plain English.

Did you complete an exam in a subject relevant to the job? Don’t forget to include it on your resume. You can use a mix and match approach to get this right. That means listing your relevant coursework using commas and adding your exams below that. 

Graphic Design (Adobe InDesign and Photoshop), Copywriting and Editing, Script Writing, Administration, History of Advertising, and Photography.

Examinations: 

How to include relevant coursework on your student resume

A student resume is something of a different beast. You may have internship experience, or have worked after school or during the summer, but your true value is in the knowledge you are gaining right now and your enthusiasm for the subject. 

Your education section should be front-and-center, so choose a hybrid or alternate format that gives you space to expand on your studies and projects. If you are applying for an internship, your biggest selling point is your coursework, but, just as when you are a recent graduate, only your relevant coursework.

Perhaps you are in a specialized program or have an unusual major and minor combination. You may consider describing this degree and then listing the major classes it comprises.

Double-major in sociology and mechanical engineering: Bachelor’s program designed to ensure an understanding of how sociology influences what products and services become popular and how to design with demand in mind. 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 

Expected graduation date: May 2024

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The Sociology of Consumption, Economy and Society, Law and Society, Product Engineering Process, Product Development and Systems Engineering

Engineering includes a lot of hands-on learning. Relevant projects will show that you already have a basic understanding of how to complete the work necessary for your career. You may choose to list one or more project related to the internship or job you are applying for.

Junior product design project:

• Conceived of and designed quick-release water bottle holder for mountain bikes. Developed manufacturing process, chose materials, aesthetics and sizes with safety of bike riders in mind.
• Advanced calculus
• Design thinking
• Product engineering and execution
• Production management essentials

Penn State, State College, PA: Expected graduation date, May 2025 with Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tips to use when listing coursework on your resume

Before you include the coursework or project on your resume, ask yourself one simple question: Is it relevant to the job? Consider what value this information adds to your application. What story is it telling a potential employer and why does it matter?

It goes without saying that you should tailor your resume to each job you apply for. The projects or coursework you completed during your bachelor’s degree are likely to be varied. You can’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. To give yourself the best chance of success, you should pick and choose when to include certain projects on your resume. 

Chances are, you learned a myriad of skills when completing your coursework. However, when you’re listing it on your resume, it pays to keep things brief. Recruiters don’t have all the time in the world to review your application. The whole thing is over in seconds. With that in mind, you need to keep your coursework or project descriptions short and sweet. 

While you may be tempted to outline every aspect of your coursework on your resume, that won’t do you any favors. To pique the recruiter’s interest, only highlight the parts that are relevant to the job. Why not start with the full explanation and then edit it down?

No hiring manager will be impressed by a candidate who tells them what they do for a job. Your future boss is perfectly aware of the responsibilities of the role in question.  Instead, they are interested in what a candidate has accomplished and how it made a difference for their previous employers. Past performance is an indicator of future success.

Adding some coursework or a relevant project to your education section? There’s one thing you don’t want to forget. Proofreading your resume whenever you include new information on it is essential. We all make avoidable mistakes now and then. 

Aside from looking out for spelling and grammatical errors, check the formatting of your resume. When you are adding something new to this document, you need to ensure that it suits the existing style and flow. Make sure you use the same font and layout.  

Most now use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) . The software sifts through resumes, filtering them by keywords. Put simply, if your resume doesn’t include certain words or phrases, it may end up in the ‘junk’ pile before a recruiter sees it. 

To combat this problem, use specific keywords when listing your relevant coursework. Take a close look at the job ad and note down any job-related words it includes. Using these words within your coursework descriptions could make a major difference. 

Recruiters want to see proof of your achievements. Whether you have an impressive GPA or excelled in an exam, share that information on your resume. If you are using the bullet point and description approach, you can include the details in your sentence. 

Work and study now, graduate later. If that’s your timeline and you’re looking for a job, don’t let this common sticking point stand in your way: How do I put my expected graduation date on a resume? It’s really quite easy. Here are some tips and examples.

Key takeaways

• Including relevant coursework on your resume will strengthen your application. This approach is particularly useful for candidates with little work experience.
• Don’t waste space. Before you feature any courses or projects on your resume, make sure they add value to your application.
• When including relevant coursework on your resume, there are many ways you can go. Consider which option best suits your needs.
• Don’t add too much detail. You can use a sentence to describe what you learned in each case — but no more than that.
• Quickly add a separate coursework section to your resume inside our intuitive online resume builder .

How To Include Your Relevant Coursework On A Resume

In This Guide:

How important is it to list relevant coursework on a resume as a college student, how can i include relevant coursework on a student resume, when to avoid coursework on resume, what other sections can you add that can have more impact than coursework, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, passions/strengths/interests, relevant coursework on resume – takeaways.

In today’s hiring landscape, your resume needs to quickly communicate all of your potential value to an employer. If you’re a student or recently graduated, your practical job experience may still be poor – but your coursework is probably rich.

So should you include the relevant classes you took on your resume? You can!

However, there are some factors you should consider before listing your coursework. You need to think about where you are in your career, what is the position you are applying for, and how relevant your education is to the job description.

Don’t get scared, it is not so much. Stay with us. This article will help you decide whether you need to include your relevant coursework.

You can also browse through our Resume Examples where you can see a perfect one for your dreamed position.

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If you are a student or have just graduated, it is possible that you don’t have enough professional experience to show. So a good way to demonstrate your expertise is by including your relevant coursework.

However, if you already have a year or more work experience, this section won’t be much of a help.

Then you should focus on the professional experience and achievements you’ve accomplished.

Even if you are a student or freshly graduated, there are jobs, for which relevant coursework won’t be helpful. For example a cashier or a waiter. If you are looking for these jobs, better emphasize on your technical skills and past experience.

If you’re applying for a job that emphasizes the importance of academic experience, like an internship or other education-focused position, it would be best to include a relevant coursework section on your resume.

Whether they are needed or not, look through the job description. This could help you understand what to write. If they’re looking for a certain diploma, certification, portfolio or GPA, these are indicators that you should include.

How much coursework you fit into your resume and where you include it depends on three factors:

• The number of relevant courses you’ve taken
• The detail you want to include
• The space you have

Most people include relevant coursework in the education section of their resumes.

To do this, just write “Relevant Coursework” beneath the degree name, and then use commas to separate the titles of the courses.

If you have enough space, you could also make a bullet list. This way it would be easier for the Recruiter to read.

Another way to write it is a separate section.

We, from Enhancv, have made that easy. Just go to our resume builder and make the most of it.

Write your relevant courses as a separate section if you want to include more than just the names of the classes. A perfect way to tell the Recruiter what you have learned through your studies when they are related to the job you are applying to.

Couple with academic achievements / GPA

If you don’t want to use a separate section, or you don’t have enough space for it, you can always couple them with your academic achievements or with your GPA.

Decide which to use in your resume, after you read the job description and see which is going to be more helpful to you to get that job.

If you have created a separate section for your coursework, just write the most important courses, depending on the job description.

Don’t put in all of your classes. It is going to take a lot of space and it would only distract the Recruiter.

If your coursework is crucial to the position consider putting it closer to the top of your resume.

If the class is necessary for the Hiring Managers don’t put it in the education section, because it could get lost along with all of the information.

Only list the names of your classes on your resume. Your university probably uses an internal system to number your courses, however, the employers wouldn’t know or care what the numbers mean.

If you have created a separate section for your coursework write just the most important courses, depending on the job description.

Don’t put all of your courses. It is going to take a lot of space and it would only distract the Recruiter.

Only list the name of your classes on your resume. Your university probably uses an internal system to number your courses, however, the employers won’t know or care what the numbers mean.

As we said earlier, coursework is a good way to show your educational achievements. However, there are times when it’s better not to include them.

If it’s been some time since you have been in school and the coursework is outdated, it might be best to leave the specifics off your resume.

What is more, keep an eye on the length of your resume. If you have just graduated or still a student, better make it no longer than one page. If there is no space for the related coursework, don’t include them if they are not specifically asked for in the job description.

Don’t include courses that are in no way relevant for the position.

If you have successfully finished a course in “Art History”, but you are applying to a position in a call center, don’t include it in your resume.

It will not help you to get the job you want and it will distract the Hiring Manager from your skills related to the position.

There are many other sections, which you can include if you have no experience. And sometimes, they could be much more important than the coursework.

According to Deloitte, 82% of hiring managers prefer applicants with volunteer experience.

They believe volunteer work makes you a good leader and strengthens your communication skills.

You should include your volunteer work when it is relevant to your professional development.

It can put you in good light and make you stand out among other applicants..

Check the great example from Avery Leclerq:

If you don’t have volunteer experience or it is not related to the position you are applying to, choose one of the sections below.

Focus the Hiring Manager’s attention on your experience outside of the university. It could be any extracurricular activity related to the position you are applying to.

For example, you could have been part of your local AIESEC team and participated in their initiatives.

Or you could have been part of a student organization or a club and made your university a better place to study in.

Adding this experience in your cover letter tells the Recruiter that you have developed yourself, your organizational skills, and you are motivated to help others.

Another way to make your resume look good without work experience is by adding activities and projects that are related somehow to the position you are applying for.

Even if they were university or academy projects, you have gained a lot while finishing them.

Recruiters will see that you’re a person who is dedicated to their career path and gains better skills and experience with side projects!

These can help you in identifying yourself and your own personality with the company’s culture fit profile.

Be sure to highlight your personality and unique qualities.

See this example:

As it’s clear, the candidate is an outgoing, extroverted person who enjoys nature, tech and education.

It is a creative way to show your hobbies and interest. What is more, the Recruiter could make a conclusion just by seeing the pie chart and the distribution of time.

There is another section you can use – Passion. It can be used to enhance the effect of the hobbies and interests section.

Adding them is not mandatory, but might be valuable when your life passions are relevant to the job.

Whatever you choose to include, always make sure you present it in a way that sounds and looks professional.

When both are included, they give a complete picture of who you are – not only in your work time.

That will significantly improve your chances of landing an interview, especially if you have a resume without job experience.

Here’s all you need to know about putting relevant coursework on a resume:

• It is not absolutely necessary to list relevant coursework in a resume;
• If you are a student or just graduated they could help you.
• If you have the experience, drop relevant coursework from your resume, and focus on your practical experience and skills.
• Use the education section to present the relevant coursework, you can separate them with commas or make a bullet-pointed list.
• Make a section only for your relevant coursework if the position you’re applying for requires a strong academic background;
• If it is not wanted by the job description, better drop it and focus on volunteer and extracurricular activities, hobbies, and interests relevant to the position.

Still not sure whether or not you should put relevant coursework on a resume? Or maybe it has helped you get your dream job? Write to us in the comments below!

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How to List Relevant Coursework on a Resume

List Only Relevant Coursework that Matches the Job Description

You don’t need to use the official name of the course, feature academic projects to further highlight your coursework, include academic awards and your gpa, how to align your coursework with the job description.

Listing relevant coursework from your bachelor’s degree program on your resume can be advantageous for entry-level job seekers starting out within their industry. There are two ways to accomplish this. Including the coursework as bullet points within your education section is one approach. The other option is to create a whole new section that allows you to list your coursework separately and provide more insights into what you learned during your program. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide you with examples to help you showcase your coursework and land your first entry-level position.

Ideally, you should only list coursework relevant to the position you are applying for on your resume. For instance, if you’re seeking an accounting position, it wouldn’t make much sense to include an elective you completed in continental philosophy. As your job search begins, carefully analyze each posting before incorporating your coursework.

The more relevant details you’re able to incorporate into your resume, the more likely you’ll be to generate interviews during your search. Coursework can be beneficial for entry-level professionals, as it can sometimes be challenging to fill out your document with strong qualifications due to a lack of work history. Below, we’ll review an example of a job seeker looking for a mental health counseling role:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Psychology COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY September 2017 – May 2021

Coursework:

• Expressive Art Therapy
• Emotionally-Focused Therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Group & Family Counseling

Notice how in this first example, the job seeker is including both psychology and art courses in their education section. This might seem like a poor choice on the job seeker’s part, but in this situation, they’re actually demonstrating why they’re uniquely qualified for the position. Art therapy is a unique field within the mental health counseling space that utilizes a range of modalities and therapeutic approaches to help patients overcome trauma and cognitive disabilities. Showcasing their understanding of both art and psychology will show organizations that they have a dynamic skill set that can help them succeed within this niche clinical environment.

It’s important to understand that the names of courses vary significantly from university to university. If the official name of the course fails to convey what you were learning, you may want to use a relevant keyword as the course title instead. For instance, instead of “Intro Accounting 101”, you may want to use a title such as “Financial Accounting” instead. This will also help you to maintain compliance with Applicant Tracking System (ATS) requirements, as you can rename your courses to mirror high-impact keywords on the job description.

• Introduction to Developing Software 101
• Intro to Programming 102
• Advanced Computer Science 103
• Coding in the Modern Tech Landscape 103
• App Dev Capstone Course 104

Software Development Coursework

• Software Development Intro Course: Completed coursework on the fundamentals of software development, including the SDLC, application development, and JavaScript
• Python and JavaScript Programming: Completed a course on the use of Python and JavaScript for a variety of web development and software development projects
• Application Development Capstone : Completed a capstone course to build a functional mobile application in Python that enabled students to compare and contrast cost savings on used books and rentals versus new book prices

Notice how in the first example, the job seeker is using the exact names of the courses. Although “Coding in the Modern Tech Landscape” sounds like a good title, it doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything about what the student was learning during the course. In the second example, the candidate has changed the titles of the courses to better reflect the subject matter. They also provide fewer courses, and instead highlight more relevant details that match the position they’re applying for. This is a much more effective strategy for making a positive impression on the hiring manager and will greatly increase your chances of landing the interview.

If you’re going to list coursework on your resume, you should strongly consider building an academic projects section to provide deeper insights into your education experience and qualifications. It’s one thing to mention a Python class on your resume, but it’s another to showcase a project where you utilized this programming language to build a mobile application. Resumes with unique and compelling details are much more likely to grab the hiring manager’s attention, especially when applying for entry-level positions where the documents run the risk of appearing vague and generic. Below, you’ll find two examples to help you feature academic projects on your resume:

Academic Experience

Economics Projects, University of Syracuse, New York, NY September 2020 – May 2022

• Performed statistical analysis of financial trends within the housing market to create a predictive algorithm analyzing potential shifts based on a variety of economic factors, including foreclosures, housing market data, and projected household incomes
• Evaluated the risk and long-term ROI potential of a hypothetical start-up company by conducting a detailed analysis of the product use case, competitors, and market growth data

Web Development Projects, University of Michigan, Detroit, MI September 2020 – May 2022

• Designed and developed a web page featuring blogs, resources, and testimonials within the mobile gaming industry, including a platform for users to share insights
• Developed a mobile application to aid students in comparing and contrasting costs of used books and rentals across online stores and vendors, which included designing a feature to showcase cost savings of used books vs. new books in the university store

Another way to further enhance the impact of your coursework is by providing academic awards and recognitions on your resume. This will show hiring managers that you completed your coursework and excelled academically within your program. If your GPA is 3.6 or higher, you can also feel free to include it in your education section. If the number is lower, it may be better to omit it, as it won’t significantly impact your job application.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), English TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, Philadelphia, PA, September 2017 – May 2021 GPA: 3.87/4.0

• President, Hyphen Literary Magazine, 2020-2021
• Recipient of the Temple English Award, 2021
• Dean’s List 2017-2021
• Magna Cum Laude

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO, CA September 2017 – May 2021 GPA: 3.7/4.0

• President of the University Robotics Club, 2017-2021
• Dean’s List, 2018-2021
• Summa Cum Laude

The most important aspect of the resume-building process is tailoring your document toward individual job descriptions. Breaking into your target industry following graduation can often be challenging for entry-level job seekers. Other candidates may have hands-on experience that you lack, and to make a case for your candidacy, you’ll need to show hiring managers that you have the ideal qualifications to succeed in the role.

As you build out your resume, you should start by determining how your skill sets and education experience match the needs of the organization you’re applying to. Remember that it’s okay to alter the name of a course to convey key skill sets more clearly for the hiring manager, provided it’s an accurate representation of what you learned during the course. For instance, if a company is seeking a candidate who excels in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), it’s acceptable to feature this as a course instead of using a broad and vague title provided by the university.

By tailoring your coursework toward the job description, you’ll maximize your chances of generating interviews over the course of your job hunt.

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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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Listing Relevant Coursework on Your Resume in 2024

Your resume is often the first impression that an employer will have of you as a job candidate. It serves as a marketing tool to showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications. However, have you ever considered including your relevant coursework on your resume? In this article, we will explore why listing relevant coursework on your resume is important and how it can enhance your chances of getting hired.

The Purpose of a Resume

A resume is a document that outlines your professional experience, education, and skills. Its main purpose is to market you as a potential candidate for a job that you are applying for. The goal of a resume is to grab the attention of the employer and convince them that you have the necessary skills and qualifications to perform the job duties.

Why Listing Relevant Coursework on Your Resume is Important

Listing relevant coursework on your resume is important because it showcases your academic achievements and expertise in a particular field. Including relevant coursework on your resume can help you stand out from other candidates who may not have the same level of education or specialized knowledge.

Furthermore, if you are a recent graduate or have little work experience in your desired field, highlighting relevant coursework on your resume can demonstrate to employers that you have a solid foundation and understanding of the subject matter. It can also show that you have taken the initiative to learn and specialize in your field of interest.

Listing relevant coursework on your resume can enhance your overall candidacy and give you a competitive edge in the job market. In the next section of this article, we will discuss how to effectively incorporate relevant coursework into your resume.

Identifying Relevant Coursework

When it comes to listing coursework on your resume, it’s important to identify what is relevant to the job you’re applying for. This means recognizing the keywords and skills that employers are searching for and tailoring your coursework accordingly.

How to determine what coursework is relevant for your resume

First and foremost, look at the job description and identify the required or preferred qualifications. This will give you an idea of what the employer is looking for and what coursework you should focus on.

Next, consider the industry and position you’re applying for. Certain industries may place more importance on specific coursework. For example, a computer science degree would be more relevant for a software developer job than it would be for a marketing position.

Additionally, think about the skills and knowledge that are necessary for the job. If you have taken coursework that directly relates to these skills or pertains to the industry, then that coursework would be considered relevant.

Identifying the key keywords and skills employers are searching for

To effectively identify the relevant coursework to list on your resume, it’s crucial to understand the keywords and skills that employers are looking for. This requires some research and analysis of the job posting and industry trends.

Start by reviewing the job description for keywords and phrases that are repeated throughout the post. For example, the terms “analytical skills”, “project management”, or “communication skills” may be used frequently in a job posting. These are the skills that employers are looking for, and you should tailor your coursework to reflect these skills.

Another strategy is to research trends and skills pertaining to the industry or profession. Check out industry websites, blogs, or social media pages to keep up with the latest trends and skills. This information can help you identify relevant coursework and skills to include on your resume.

Identifying relevant coursework for your resume requires a combination of understanding the job requirements, the industry, and the specific skills employers are seeking. By tailoring your coursework and highlighting the relevant skills, you can increase your chances of landing the job.

Where to List Relevant Coursework on Your Resume

When it comes to listing relevant coursework on your resume, there are different locations where you can include this information. Each location has its pros and cons, and choosing the right one depends on your individual circumstances and goals.

Here are some of the places where you can list relevant coursework on your resume:

1. Education Section

The most common place to list relevant coursework is in the education section of your resume. This section typically comes after your work experience section and includes your academic achievements such as your degree(s) and the name of your institution.

• It’s the most traditional and expected location for listing education-related information.
• It provides a clear and organized overview of your academic background.
• Employers can easily see what courses you’ve taken that are relevant to the position.
• It might make your resume too lengthy if you have a long list of relevant coursework.
• It could highlight the fact that you don’t have a lot of professional experience.

2. Skills Section

Another option is to list your relevant coursework under the skills section of your resume. This section highlights your skills and abilities that match the requirements of the job.

• It allows you to emphasize your relevant coursework as a skill.
• It can complement your work experience and strengthen your candidacy for the role.
• It creates a differentiator for you against other applicants.
• It might not be as straightforward for employers to see where you obtained the coursework.
• It could make your skills section look cluttered and unorganized.

3. Additional Information Section

You can also use the additional information section to list your relevant coursework. This section is a catch-all for information that doesn’t fit other sections of your resume.

• It can provide context for other qualifications you may have.
• Employers may appreciate the added detail.
• It doesn’t take away from other sections of your resume.
• It may not be as visible as the other sections.
• It could look like an afterthought if not presented well.

How to Highlight Relevant Coursework on Your Resume

When it comes to highlighting relevant coursework on your resume, it’s important to use effective strategies that showcase your skills and knowledge. Here are a few strategies to consider:

Strategies for Effectively Showcasing Your Relevant Coursework

Create a separate section:  Consider adding a “Relevant Coursework” section to your resume. This section can come after your education section and can list relevant courses and their descriptions. Be sure to use relevant keywords to grab employers’ attention.

Include relevant coursework in your education section:  You can also include relevant coursework in your education section. This can give employers a quick snapshot of your relevant skills and coursework. Be sure to include the name of the course, the institution, and the grade earned.

List relevant coursework under each job experience:  If you have taken courses relevant to a particular job, consider listing them under the job experience section. This can highlight your skills and knowledge, and show how you can apply coursework to real-life situations.

The Importance of Targeting the Job Description

Another important strategy is to target the job description. Employers often use specific keywords in job descriptions to communicate what skills and experience they are looking for. By using these keywords in your resume, you can demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge needed for the job.

When listing relevant coursework on your resume, be sure to read the job description carefully and list courses that are directly related to the job. Use the same terminology and keywords that the employer uses in their job description.

Highlighting relevant coursework on your resume can help you stand out from other applicants. By using effective strategies and targeting the job description, you can showcase your skills and knowledge, and demonstrate that you are the right candidate for the job.

Using Keywords in Your Relevant Coursework

When it comes to listing relevant coursework on your resume, it’s important to realize the significance of industry-specific keywords. These keywords are the industry terms, jargon, and buzzwords that are commonly used in your field. Using the appropriate keywords can help you stand out in the applicant pool and demonstrate your proficiency in the subject matter.

Understanding industry-specific keywords and why they matter in your resume

Most hiring managers and recruiters use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they’re passed on to human reviewers. ATS software scans resumes for specific keywords based on the position requirements. For example, if you’re applying for a job as a graphic designer, the ATS may be looking for keywords like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Therefore, including industry-specific keywords in your relevant coursework section can increase your chances of passing the ATS screening process. Additionally, keywords can help give context to the reader about the courses you’ve taken and demonstrate your fluency in the language of the industry.

How to incorporate keywords into your relevant coursework

Here are some tips for incorporating industry-specific keywords into your relevant coursework:

Research relevant job postings : Look at job postings for positions you’re interested in and note the common keywords used in the qualifications section.

Choose courses that align with your target job : Identify courses that directly relate to the positions you’re applying for and include them in your relevant coursework section. Be sure to include the course title, institution, and the skills or concepts you learned in each course.

Use industry jargon and technical terms : Incorporate industry-specific language and technical terms used in your field to demonstrate your familiarity with the industry.

Include relevant tools and software : If a job posting lists specific software or tools as requirements or preferred skills, be sure to include any courses that directly relate to those tools or software.

Including industry-specific keywords in your course listing can help you make a strong impression on hiring managers and improve your chances of landing an interview. It’s important to research the industry terms and language associated with the job you’re applying for and incorporate them into your relevant coursework section in a meaningful way.

Formatting Tips for Listing Relevant Coursework

When it comes to listing relevant coursework on your resume, proper formatting is key. Here are some tips to ensure your resume is visually appealing and easy to read:

Font, Size, and Spacing

Choose a professional font such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri, and use a font size no smaller than 10 points. It’s important to have enough spacing between lines to give your resume a clean look. A standard spacing of 1.15 or 1.5 is recommended.

Consistency

Consistency is important in order to make your resume look polished and well-organized. Use the same font and size throughout your entire resume, including your relevant coursework section. Consistency also applies to the formatting of your coursework section. Use a bullet point format with clear headings for each course.

Readability

Be mindful of readability as you format your relevant coursework section. Use bullet points and short, concise descriptions of each course to make it easy for the reader to quickly scan and understand the content. Avoid lengthy paragraphs or complicated language.

By following these formatting tips, you can ensure that your relevant coursework section is visually appealing and easy to read. Remember, your resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, so it’s important to make sure it looks professional and well-organized.

Example of Listing Relevant Coursework for New Graduates

As a new graduate, your coursework is an essential component of your resume, especially if it pertains to the job you are applying for. Here are some strategies you can use to highlight your relevant coursework on your resume:

Create a dedicated coursework section: This section should come after your education section and can be called “Relevant Coursework” or “Course Highlights.” List the courses that are most relevant to the job you are applying for, and include the course title, the semester you took it, and the grade you received.

Incorporate coursework into your experience section: If you have completed any projects or internships that are relevant to the job, you can include relevant coursework in the description. For example, if you were part of a team that designed a new marketing campaign, you could include the marketing coursework you completed that helped you contribute to the project.

Use bullet points to highlight coursework: Use bullet points to describe the skills and knowledge you gained from each course. Focus on skills that are relevant to the job, such as research skills, data analysis skills, or communication skills.

Customize your coursework section for each job application: When applying for different jobs, adjust your coursework section to highlight the coursework that is most relevant for the job. Look for keywords in the job description and include coursework that is related to those keywords.

Here is an example of how a new graduate applying for a marketing position could list their relevant coursework on their resume:

Relevant Coursework

• Essentials of Marketing
• Consumer Behavior
• Marketing Research and Analysis
• Social Media Marketing
• Advertising and Promotions
• Marketing Communications

By highlighting your relevant coursework, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge needed for the job. So, take the time to review your coursework and tailor your resume accordingly.

Example of Listing Relevant Coursework for Experienced Professionals

As an experienced professional, it can be challenging to showcase your relevant coursework on your resume. However, it is essential to highlight your education and training, especially if it aligns with the job you’re applying for. Here are a few examples of how you can list your relevant coursework effectively:

1. Create a separate section for education

If you have accumulated a significant amount of coursework throughout your career, it’s best to create a separate section for education. This section should be placed after your work experience section and before your skills or certifications. List your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree or certificate program. You can use the following format:

• Degree Name  – Institution Name, Location, Graduation Date
• Relevant Coursework: Course Name, Course Name, Course Name

For instance, suppose you achieved an executive MBA degree and completed coursework relevant to your target job such as strategic management, financial analysis, and leadership. In that case, you could list your education section in the following way:

• Executive MBA  – XYZ University, Chicago IL, May 2021
• Relevant Coursework: Strategic Management, Financial Analysis, Leadership, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

2. Incorporate coursework into your bullet points

If you don’t want to create a separate education section, you can still highlight your relevant coursework in your work experience section. Specifically, you can integrate your coursework into your bullet points to show how your education and training have informed your work experience. Here’s an example:

Marketing Manager

• Developed and executed digital marketing campaigns that increased website traffic by 30%, including email marketing and social media advertising.
• Conducted market research to identify target audiences, analyze customer behaviors and preferences and develop data-driven marketing strategies. (Relevant Coursework: Marketing Research, Consumer Behavior)
• Collaborated with sales team to develop sales collateral (e.g., brochures, presentations) that highlight benefits of products and improve team productivity.

3. Emphasize relevant coursework in your cover letter

If you’ve completed coursework that is highly relevant to the job you’re applying for but doesn’t fit neatly into your resume, consider mentioning it in your cover letter. A cover letter is an opportunity to elaborate on your qualifications and expand on your resume. You can explain how your coursework has prepared you for the position and how you plan to apply that coursework to the role.

Listing relevant coursework is an excellent way to showcase your skills and knowledge, especially when transitioning careers or industries. By highlighting your education and training, you demonstrate your commitment to professional development and show that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the position. With the above examples, you can create an effective resume that highlights your relevant coursework and improves your chances of landing an interview.

What if You Don’t Have Relevant Coursework to List?

If you don’t have relevant coursework to list, don’t worry. There are still several ways you can demonstrate your skills and knowledge:

Alternative ways to demonstrate your skills and knowledge

Certifications: Obtaining relevant certifications can be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to a particular field. Look for certifications that are recognized in your industry and relevant to your desired position.

Projects: If you have completed any projects that are relevant to the position you’re applying for, list them in a separate section on your resume. Use this section to showcase your skills and experience.

Volunteer work: Volunteer work can be a great way to gain experience in a particular field and demonstrate your commitment to a cause. If you have volunteered for any organizations that are relevant to your desired position, list them on your resume.

How to leverage your work experience instead

If you don’t have relevant coursework or certifications, you can still leverage your work experience to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. Here are a few tips:

Focus on transferable skills: Look for skills that you have developed in your previous work experience that are transferable to the position you’re applying for. For example, if the position requires strong communication skills, highlight any roles where you had to communicate effectively with others.

Customize your resume: Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. Identify the key skills and requirements for the position and highlight your relevant experience in those areas.

Use action verbs: Use strong action verbs to describe your previous work experience. This will emphasize your skills and achievements and make your resume stand out from the crowd.

Remember, even if you don’t have relevant coursework to list, you can still demonstrate your skills and knowledge in other ways. Use your resume to showcase your experience, skills, and achievements, and don’t be afraid to highlight your transferable skills.

Mistakes to Avoid When Listing Relevant Coursework on Your Resume

When listing relevant coursework on your resume, it’s important to avoid some common mistakes that can hurt your chances of getting hired. Here are some of the most frequent errors candidates make and how to avoid them:

1. Listing Irrelevant Courses

One of the most common mistakes is listing coursework that is irrelevant to the position you’re applying to. For example, mentioning your graphic design class when you’re applying for a software engineering role. This will only confuse the hiring manager and may harm your application.

To avoid this mistake, carefully read the job description and the company’s requirements. Then, customize your resume to only list the coursework that aligns with the job requirements. By doing so, you’ll demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge the company is looking for.

2. Listing Too Many Courses

Another mistake that can hurt your chances of getting hired is listing too many courses. Hiring managers don’t have time to read a long list of every class you’ve ever taken. They want to see concise, relevant information that shows you’re qualified for the job.

Instead of flooding your resume with a laundry list of coursework, only list the courses that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Also, try to focus on the ones that are recent and that you’ve excelled in. This will help convey your expertise in the subject matter.

3. Failing to Highlight Achievements

When listing relevant coursework on your resume, it’s important to not just list the classes but to also highlight any achievements or notable projects you completed during those courses.

For example, if you completed a project that involved coding a website, you should mention that and highlight any successful results that came from it. By showcasing your achievements and how you tackled challenges during coursework, you’re providing tangible examples of your abilities.

4. Not Proofreading

As with any section of your resume, it’s vital to proofread your listing of relevant coursework for any typos or mistakes. An error like this can make you come across as careless and less qualified.

Take the time to double-check your writing and make any necessary corrections before submitting your application. Having error-free writing can demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.

Listing relevant coursework on your resume can be a great way to demonstrate your skills and qualifications. But to do so successfully, it’s essential to avoid the mistakes above. By tailoring your resume to the job requirements, highlighting your achievements, and proofreading your work, you’ll be better placed to succeed in your job search.

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How to Include Relevant Coursework On Your Resume

Craft a Resume That Focuses on Student Coursework

What Courses and Projects to Include

Other experience to include.

• How to Add Relevant Coursework

Use Keywords in Your Descriptions

Proofread and edit.

• Where to Put the Education Section
• Example of a Coursework-Focused Resume

As a current student or recent graduate, you may not have very much work experience to include on your resume. However, you can potentially strengthen your resume by emphasizing related coursework and other academic projects. 

Employers understand that entry-level employees may not have a whole lot of career experience. They will often look at your coursework and academic experiences to help determine whether you have the knowledge to fill the open position.

Add Relevant Coursework

When  creating a resume , you can add a section titled “Relevant Coursework." In it, include the courses directly related to the position you are applying for. For example, if you're applying for work as a paralegal, list any classes you took related to law or politics.

List Projects

Similarly, if you have completed any research projects related to your future career, list these too. If you're applying for a job that involves conducting research, list any extensive research projects you worked on.

Having a section listing relevant coursework makes sense if you're applying for an internship or entry-level position. Once you can no longer be termed a recent graduate, and have some on-the-job experience, you can remove this section from your resume. 

Emphasize Your Achievements

Beyond related coursework, you should also emphasize any academic successes, such as a high GPA or an award from an academic department. It's a good idea to include this information in the education section.

Although these successes may not appear to be directly related to the job for which you are applying, they demonstrate your hard work and responsibility.

Extracurricular Activities

If you participated in any sports or clubs where you developed skills relevant to the job you’re applying for, include these too. You could, for example, include a section in your resume titled “Extracurricular Activities,” or you might highlight activities in a broader section titled “Relevant Experience.”

Volunteering

Volunteer work is a relevant experience. Even if you didn't get paid for this work,  volunteer experiences  can make terrific additions to your resume. For example, if you're applying for a job as a teacher’s assistant, describe your volunteer tutor experience.

How to Add Relevant Coursework to Your Resume

You'll likely want to add this information below your college or graduate information.

Relevant Coursework Section

You can format it as a single section—for example, if you're applying for a role as a journalist:

Relevant coursework:  Ethics in Journalism, Modern Media Communications, and Forensic Accounting for Journalists

Relevant Coursework List

Or, you may opt to format the information as a bullet-point list. For instance, if you're applying for a role in marketing, you could present your coursework like this: 

Relevant Coursework

• Developing a Brand 
• Communications 
• Public Speaking 

More Options

Finally, you may want to share several types of experience, using more detailed bullet points. Or, you may want to share some descriptive details about the courses you've listed if it's not clear from the course titles. 

If you include coursework on your resume, be prepared to talk about the classes and what you learned in them during interviews. 

Including relevant coursework on your resume is a good way to incorporate keywords. Look for keywords in the job listing, and try to include them in this section. 

For instance, if the job requires field research experience, you can mention your “30+ hours of field research” in the description of your senior project. Or, you can add "Field Research Methods" as one of the courses you've taken. 

Take the time to thoroughly edit your resume for spelling and grammar errors. Also, make sure that your font and style choices are consistent—for example, if you format one section title in bold, all section titles should be bold.

You might set up a meeting with a counselor at your college career services office to have someone else read through your resume too.

Where to List the Education Section of Your Resume

The education section of your resume—which generally includes relevant coursework—can be placed at the top or bottom of the document. If it's your best experience, or if you think your educational background will be relevant to hiring managers, include whatever is most appropriate at the top of the document.

Example of a Coursework-Focused Resume

This resume focuses on relevant coursework and leadership experiences.

Student Resume Focusing on Coursework

Hailey Applicant 456 Oakwood Terrace Anytown, PA 99999 (555) 555-555 haileyapplicant@XYZcollege.edu

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Advancing science and law through dedicated legal and scientific research

A respected research assistant who has worked with tenured professors, practicing lawyers, school administrators, and company executives to produce research reports on scientific study and Supreme Court case law.

Key skills include:

• Computer-Assisted Research
• Organizing Research Data for Comprehensive Reports
• Analyzing Case Law
• Working with Research Teams
• Presenting Research Data

RELEVANT LEGAL COURSEWORK AND RESEARCH

XYZ LABS, White Plains, NY RESEARCH ASSISTANT (Fall 2020 – Present) Collaborate with an adviser, research team, and Smith School of Medicine to conduct research regarding the effects of steroids on the activity level of rats.

Notable accomplishments:

• Use a computer to gather and analyze data for distribution to the research team.
• Present new findings in bimonthly discussion with the department.

SOCIOLOGY OF LAW COURSE, SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, XYZ COLLEGE, White Plains, NY RESEARCH INTERN (Spring 2020) Researched case law dealing with social policy and the Supreme Court.

Notable Accomplishments:

• Analyzed cases and produced final paper regarding social policy in court cases.
• Explained results and conclusions in a final presentation to practicing lawyers.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

XYZ COLLEGE , White Plains, NY Bachelor of Arts in Government (Cumulative GPA: 3.9) Awarded Outstanding Government Student, May 2020

Computer Skills

Microsoft Word • Excel • PowerPoint • LexisNexis • Adobe

How to Make Relevant Coursework on a Resume Look Good (Examples and Free Templates)

Including relevant coursework on your resume can demonstrate subject-matter knowledge, transferable skills, and qualifications for a role, particularly for students, recent graduates, or those with little to no experience.

Relevant coursework on a resume shows that: 

• You have subject-matter knowledge
• You have a transferable skill set to offer

And this helps with showing that you’re qualified for the role. 

Now, putting coursework on a resume isn’t just for students and graduates. It’s applicable to those with experience and even managers as long as it’s directly linked to the job responsibilities. 

Having a lack of experience shouldn’t stop you from applying. In this guide, you’ll learn when and when not to include coursework and how to list it on your resume.

When to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume 

Here are 5 times when you should consider including relevant coursework on your resume. For the most part though, this is effective for student resumes .

You Have Little to No Experience

Having no professional experience means employers will turn to other areas to get insight into your technical skills and knowledge. Some of these other areas include:

• Academic achievements
• Relevant courses
• Communication skills

Therefore, use your coursework to demonstrate that you’re still qualified for the role.

You’re Applying for Internship or Entry-Level Jobs

College students and recent graduates alike will benefit from including relevant coursework to showcase subject-matter expertise. This is especially useful for internship resume applications .

Similar to those making a career change with little to no experience in the field, employers and applicant tracking systems will refer to academic experience. In other words, they’ll look at your resume for the following:

• Qualifications
• Certifications

Transferable Hard Skills and Knowledge

The job posting might mention a few online courses, skills, and knowledge that’s required or desirable. And if this is the case, then it can be worth including certain coursework because it’s part of what makes the company's ideal candidate.

A common example of this is having a degree that’s not directly related to the entry-level job you’re applying for. But, one of the courses or modules you studied was directly related to the role. So in this instance, it would be worth mentioning those modules and courses on your resume. 

It Involves Real-World Experience

Let’s look at some marketing courses as an example. 

To be acknowledged as someone that’s completed the course, one of the requirements could be to develop and implement a digital marketing strategy for a real business. 

Now, this coursework would be valuable to put on a resume . Not only does it show that you’re knowledgeable about marketing as a subject. But it also demonstrates workforce experience since you’re using what you know in the real world and not just writing it down on a school paper. 

Advanced Coursework From a Reputable Organization

Including specialized coursework highlights your knowledge. And because the course was from a reputable organization, it’ll look good for both your resume and your overall academic background. 

Not all other candidates may have managed to secure the opportunity to study with that same institution. So, mentioning this on your resume will help you stand out. 

When Not to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume

Here are 3 times when you should reconsider including relevant coursework on your resume.

You Have More Than 2 Years of Work Experience

Above all resume sections, your work experience matters the most.

Coursework isn’t necessary when you already have several years of experience. Your professional experience is usually more important than coursework because practicality is more useful than theory. 

But when you have extra space, then you could consider mentioning relevant courses. If not and space is limited, prioritize your work experience instead of coursework. 

The Coursework Is Outdated

You’re better off leaving your coursework out of your resume when it’s outdated because it may no longer be relevant in today’s landscape. 

However, similar to the resume education section , you could still include it but by removing details related to the dates – this is assuming that it meets one of the 5 points mentioned earlier. 

No Transferable Skills

When there are no transferable skills, it clutters your application instead of adding value. In other words, it's pretty much irrelevant and unnecessary when there are no transferable skills that have been developed. 

Even so, an alternative if you'd still like to mention your coursework is to frame it as an achievement. Omit the bullet points and only include the following details:

• Course title
• Course summary

How to List Relevant Coursework and Make Them Look Good

We’ll show you step-by-step how to create a separate resume section for your coursework and how to list them correctly. Afterwards, we'll show you other sections on a resume where you can list your courses.

1. Use an Optimized Resume Format

A well-formatted resume section will get your reader’s attention. It also makes it easier for the reader to find key information quickly. 

Here’s what makes a good resume section format:

• All caps text
• Professional resume font

Unless you’re using a resume platform like Rezi , you'll likely have to optimize for each of these manually. 

2. Enter the Resume Section Header

The header of your coursework section could either be “coursework” or “relevant coursework.” Make this nice and clear and easy to read for the hiring manager. Use bold text for the headers and lining to make the resume section stand out. 

3. Enter the Subheaders 

The subheaders include the following details:

• Course name
• Date of completion 
• Course skills/objective (optional)

Here’s an example of how this looks when building a resume with Rezi (but forget about the last field for now because that’s not going to be a subheader, which is what we’ll be going over in the next step).

4. Describe the Skills That You Applied 

As shown above from the Rezi dashboard, the last field requires you to describe the skills that you applied. Use bullet points to showcase your abilities and responsibilities. The skills mentioned should be relevant to the job description and each bullet point should be outcome-focused. 

On that note, see below for the best practices on how to write about your coursework and make them look good.

Start Each Bullet Point With an Action Verb 

Begin your sentences using an action verb to get straight to the point. This is effective because it engages the reader by immediately bringing them into the action. However, be specific and creative – and avoid the overused words. 

Aside from grabbing your hiring manager’s attention, it conveys initiative as well as accountability. It also emphasizes the impact that you've made.

Highlight Achievements and Results

Make your sentences outcome-focused. This is a more compelling way to show that you’re a results-driven person as opposed to just saying you’re all about the results. 

That said, here’s a few tips to keep in mind:

• Be specific: mention exactly what you worked on and what skills, knowledge, or frameworks you had to apply.
• Quantify the results: use numbers if possible when writing about achievements and responsibilities.  
• Use the active voice: put emphasis on the actions you took and the difference that your efforts made.
• Be concise: keep each bullet point brief and ensure it’s only 1-2 lines long.

Use Resume Keywords 

Refer to the job ad. See what type of words related to job skills and knowledge keeps on being brought up.

Tailor your bullet points based on the job description. For instance, focus your descriptions of an assignment on a particular skill or ability that the hiring manager would expect from the ideal candidate. 

Other Sections to Put Relevant Coursework on a Resume 

There are 3 places where you can mention coursework on a resume:

• Education section
• Additional resume section
• Individual resume section

How you write about your coursework depends on which resume section you’re mentioning it in. 

Coursework in Resume Education Section 

Aside from including your degree in the education section, you can include what you minored in. You may also mention a relevant coursework piece. This can either be listed as a bullet point or as a subheader next to the main qualification listed. 

Whether you want to add the title of your coursework or what you minored in, this information is secondary. The primary information in the education section is the main academic qualification. 

Here’s an example below.

Coursework in Additional Resume Section

The additional resume section could be one of the following:

• Extracurricular activities
• Involvement

You write about your coursework depending on the nature of the additional resume section. 

If it’s similar to the education section where you’re listing qualifications or awards, include the title of the coursework you completed as a subheader after listing the main achievement. Or, bring it up as a bullet point underneath.

But if it’s similar to the work experience section where you want to include details about your responsibilities, list the title of the coursework as the main subheader. Then, add bullet points underneath describing what you learned. 

Coursework in Individual Resume Section 

Use a separate resume section dedicated to relevant coursework as shown in our step-by-step guide earlier.

5 Mistakes Job Seekers Make When Listing Coursework on a Resume

Here are 5 common mistakes to avoid: 

• The coursework listed isn’t relevant to the job position
• The coursework description shows no application of skills and knowledge
• Overloading your resume with coursework. (If you want to focus on quantity, then forget about the bullet points and just fill in the subheaders.)
• Listing coursework without a concise summary of what it’s about. 
• Prioritizing coursework over work experience. 

4 Resume Examples With a Good Coursework Section 

Feel free to also check out our library of 300+ free resume templates here . 

First Year Student Resume

Data Science Intern Resume

Portfolio Manager Resume

Student Technical Assistant Resume

Generate a Powerful Coursework Resume Section in Less Than 60 Seconds

Firstly, you need a Rezi account – sign up here to get started for free . 

Next, all you need to do is simply fill in the following fields:

• Enter the coursework title. 
• Include the organization/institution name where you completed the coursework.
• Mention the dates.
• Include the location. 
• Press “Generate Bullet”. 

• Either press “AI writer generate” to rewrite the bullet point or if you’re happy with it, use the suggestion for your coursework resume section. 

Use Coursework to Prove You’re Qualified 

Work experience and skills are important for hiring managers… but so is your academic background.  

Include only relevant coursework on a resume. Not the irrelevant modules. Then, either use it to do one of the following:

• Frame your coursework as an accomplishment
• Use your coursework to showcase your skills and knowledge by describing what you’ve learned

And if you’re struggling to write your resume in general, try using Rezi’s AI resume builder . You’re guided step-by-step and you can rely on our AI writer to give you a hand!

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

Resume for College Application – Examples & Template

July 8, 2024

College application resumes are different from professional resumes. There’s a certain way your resume for college applications should be to ensure your profile stands out. In one page, your resume will need to cover your academics, background, extracurricular activities and achievements. So to be asked to complete a resume, on top of everything else that goes into the college application? We know, it sounds like a lot. If you’re not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Down below, we’ll dive right into what a college resume is and how to write a college resume. You’ll even find three college application resume examples and a college application resume template to help you start your own.

Let’s have a look at how to begin your resume for your college applications.

What goes into a college application resume?

A resume for your college application, otherwise known as your high school resume, should be one page long. It’s a space for you to show colleges all of your most important activities and achievements that they wouldn’t necessarily know in other parts of your college application. The overall objective of the college application resume is to demonstrate the bigger picture of who you are. It’s essentially a summary of what you’ve done, assembled in a way that serves as a snapshot of your greatest achievements.

There are a few core sections that will go into your college application resume:

– Contact information: Your full name, home address, email and phone number should be at the very top of your college application resume. The header of your resume should have all of this information. This includes any LinkedIn page or personal website that showcases your achievements. – Educational details and academic accomplishments: The full name of your high school and the dates of when you attended should go here. This is where you’ll include your GPA, your AP or IB courses, your ACT or SAT scores and your class ranking, if it’s significant.

College Resume Template (Continued)

Extracurricular activities and work experience: Any special volunteering, internships, part-time jobs, or even had a unique experience studying or working abroad? You should mention those moments here. This section of the resume will amplify what kind of person you are in the community around you. To better understand you as an applicant, admissions officers want to know where you spend your time outside of school. Did you have any leadership positions? Was there a special job or position you had? – Awards and honors: If you have any accomplishments that you’re proud of, you should list them here. This is the part of the college application resume to list achievements like your first prize in a district-wide writing competition or your Most Valuable Player award in your tennis team. Remember, both academic awards and extracurricular awards can be mentioned, so be sure to include any relevant recognitions. – Special skills and interests: Let’s say you speak more than one language and you’re passionate about all things student leadership. Perhaps you know everything about computers. This part of the college application resume is where you should list those unique skills. Think of strong skills and interests you possess, while making sure they reflect your overall college application profile and ambitions. If you have any particular interests or even hobbies that can strengthen your application, then go for it.

Putting together the resume for your college applications can be a tedious process, so it’s best to pay careful attention to every line. You’ll want to focus on the format , style of language , brief but concise descriptions and crucial details .

Resume for College Application – Examples & Templates

College resume template #1.

Here are three different resume examples for college applications. They’ll go from the most basic college application resume to the most detailed:

1) For a standard college application resume, take a look at this student interested in studying anthropology or literature in college. The following is a very standard college application resume:

Dakota Lee 909 Park Avenue Portland, Oregon (012) 345-6789 [email protected]

Bloomington High School, Class of 2024 GPA: 3.85

• Lead students (K-6) in all camp-related activities relating to literature immersion.
• Organize art projects three days a week with senior counselors.
• Coordinate students’ final art show for parents.
• Assisted graduate students in their anthropology research 4 hours every week.
• Presented at the end of every month my own research findings between literature and anthropology.
• President, Student Anthropology Club: 2021-Present
• Vice President, Bloomington Book Club: 2022-Present
• Team Captain, JV Tennis Team: 2021-Present
• First Chair Violinist, Symphony Orchestra: 2022-Present
• High Honors List: 2024
• Principal’s List: 2023-2024
• National Honors Society: 2021-2024
• Most Valuable Player, JV Tennis Team: 2023-2024
• Languages: Spanish, French, Japanese
• Computer: Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop

College Resume Template #2

2) The next college application resume includes more details than the resume above, with a different layout. You’ll find that there is a short description of the student’s character and interests under a section called “Educational Goal” at the top:

Jon Jackson 678 Orange Street Austin, Texas (123) 456-7890 [email protected]

Educational Goal

Diligent, driven student with a passion for business and economic development. Dedicated to improving the livelihood of small businesses across the state of California. Focused on collaborating with business leaders, community organizers and students across the country to create a stronger, more sustainable economy.

High School Diploma                                                                                                                    2024 Springfield High School Austin, Texas GPA: 3.98 Courses: AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Macroeconomics, AP US History, AP Spanish

Austin Chamber of Commerce – Student Representative                                                     2021-2024 Austin, Texas – Served as representative of public schools across the city of Austin, advocating for student perspectives on Austin’s economic initiatives. – Developed campaigns and city-wide initiatives to encourage more student involvement in local elections, distributed pamphlets door-to-door to invite neighborhoods to participate in city-wide census polls. – Relayed information from commerce meetings back to our school district. – Advocated for the support of small businesses. – Created a bimonthly “Student Visit Day” to continue open communication between decision makers and high school student leaders across Austin.

• President, Business Club 2021-Present
• Treasurer, Young Economists 2022-Present
• Student Volunteer, Save the Children 2022-Present
• Editor, Springfield Student Gazette 2022-Present
• High Honors List 2024
• Principal’s List     2023-2024
• National Honors Society     2021-2024
• Best Student Entrepreneur, Business Club     2023-2024
• Languages: Spanish, German, Arabic
• Advocacy, Debate, Public Speaking
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop

College Resume Template #3

Now let’s look at a college application resume that has a different structure and even more details. Keep in mind the first two resumes you just saw above:

Cassandra Zimmerman Los Angeles, CA ✦ (012) 987-6543 ✦ [email protected]

Driven student with a track record of community and student leadership. Passionate about women’s rights and girls’ education, eager to make a difference through service and mentorship. Committed to applying my leadership and communication skills to contribute to my college community, I am excited to major in business marketing and sociology to create a better working environment for women around the world.

High School Diploma                                                                                       Expected in June 2024 Valley High School Los Angeles, CA GPA: 3.88 – Awards: Academic Achievement Award (2021-2023), Community Service Excellence Award (2022-2023), Student Role Model Award (2024) – Courses: AP Microeconomics, AP Literature, AP European History, AP Spanish, AP French – Clubs: Journalism Club, UNICEF Club, Girls Empowerment Club, Entrepreneurial Club – Sports : Track and field team captain

• Critical thinking
• Innovation and adaptability
• Project management
• Organization and coordination

Professional Skills

Leadership – Led a team of 10 senior students across the Los Angeles School District to meet with the Mayor of Los Angeles and discuss our hopes for women in business. – Steered the track and field team as team captain, maintaining a positive spirit throughout every season. – Initiated the weekly column of our student newspaper to focus on areas of local community improvement. Communication – Showcased results from community polling to 50 members of the school district leadership. – Proactively participated in journalism club, leading student investigation pieces on local incidents affecting women-led businesses. – Collaborating across different school clubs to foster an interdisciplinary education and promote a united community. Computer and Technology Proficiency – Highly skilled in Microsoft Excel to aggregate and process data, while also proficient in the entire Microsoft Office Suite applications. – Adept in creating social media campaigns on X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and TikTok.

Work History

University of Southern California, Young Leaders Internship                                      2022-2024 Los Angeles, CA YMCA Girls Leadership                                                                                                 2021-2024 San Francisco, CA

Volunteer Experience

UNICEF Local Chapter Volunteer                                                                             2021-2024 Volunteered as a student leader UNICEF member for our local chapter every month. Disseminated pamphlets and helped organize Los Angeles events that focused on girls’ education. Mentoring freshmen with All Hands On Deck                                                            2022-2024 Served as a mentor to freshmen students across the Los Angeles Unified School District. Coordinated activities with arts organizations and businesses across the city to help struggling students have more access to educational and extracurricular resources. Dog Rescue Volunteer                                                                                                 2021-2024 Participated as a weekly volunteer at the local animal shelter to help clean, feed and walk dogs. Promoting adoption events and animal rescue awareness across the city.

College Application Resume Styles

By looking at the resumes for college applications above, you’ll see that the three are quite different from each other. The first was a very simple college application resume example, while the second was a bit more informative, though not entirely. The third college application resume example provided more background information and relevant details. However, it’s always important to keep in mind that you’ll want your college application resume to be around one page.

The top general tips for writing your resume for college applications are:

1) Write your contact information and professional email address. Make sure your email address is something that colleges won’t have to think twice about.

2) Begin with education . Colleges know that you won’t have a lot of work experience. They’re academic institutions, so first and foremost, they’re interested in your academic performance. Start your college application resume with your education.

3) Bulleted lists over paragraphs. Elaborate on your achievements and experiences with brief descriptions in bullet points, not in lengthy paragraphs . Admissions officers will want to read clear and concise descriptions that are straight to the point.

4) Use strong action verbs that empower you. If you led a group of children at camp or presented your research in front of a committee, use an action verb that encapsulates your responsibilities. This means that instead of writing “It involved leading groups of children…” try something like “Directed groups of children to…”

5) One page does the trick. It’s tempting to want to make your resume as long and informative as possible. But the moment that happens, the quicker the reader will lose interest. College admissions offices are looking through thousands of applications. Keeping your college application resume concise will only work in your favor. Doing so is also a great exercise for future job applications and helps you decide what you really want to focus on sharing.

As seen from the examples above, you can personalize the style of your college application resume. But a general college application resume template will look like the following:

Your name Home address, City, State (Your) phone number | [email protected]

The name of your high school                                                                City, State, Year of Graduation

GPA: Your score ￭  SAT: Your score  ￭  ACT: Your score

Relevant Coursework : The names of any relevant, important classes

Your role, The name of your experience                                                                      City, State, Year

• Description of your experience.

Awards/Honors

• The name of your award: Date you were awarded

Description of your award. Any specific numbers and information that provides more context.

Additional Skills

List your skills that are relevant to your overall college application. They can be both professional and unique skills.

Resume for College Application – Examples & Template – Additional Resources 

• How to Complete the Common App Activities Section
• How to Complete the Honors Section on the Common App 
• 300 Best Colleges in the US
• Common App Essay Prompts 2024-25
• 10 Instructive Common App Examples 
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay 
• Application Strategies

Joanna Hong

With a BA from Pitzer College and an MA from University College London, Joanna has worked in London, Berlin, and Los Angeles covering many cultural and political issues with organizations such as Byline Media, NK News, and Free Turkey Media. A freelancer for The New York Times, her work has also appeared in Newsweek, Dazed and Confused Magazine, and The Guardian, among others. In addition, Joanna was the recipient of the 2021 PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship in Fiction and is currently completing her first novel.

• 2-Year Colleges
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Data Visualizations
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Homeschool Resources
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Outdoor Adventure
• Private High School Spotlight
• Research Programs
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Teacher Tools
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

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— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

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• How to List Relevant Coursework on Resume (with examples)

You have probably heard the importance of the job experience section in a resume on numerous occasions. What you may not know, however, is that it’s not the only thing that hiring managers are interested in when looking for the ideal candidate to fill a job opening. Even though related experience does matter, you should also pay attention to other sections, like relevant coursework, to come up with a well-balanced resume that persuades the potential employer to hire you.

In this piece, we will expound on:

• When it is right to add a coursework section and when it isn’t necessary;
• Where your coursework should appear and how to include it;
• Samples of coursework listed on resumes.

Listing Relevant Coursework on Resume and When to Leave It Out

In essence, listing related coursework on resume is optional. It is usually an essential section for your first resume with no work experience , i.e., student and entry-level resumes. The purpose of this part is to highlight any completed coursework that relates to the position you are targeting. It strengthens other components, such as academic accomplishments, volunteer experience, projects, and extra-curricular activities.

Adding relevant coursework can also be a great idea when you are crafting your resume for an internship. In this case, it can help you show why you are fit for the organization. So, when is listing related coursework not necessary?  

If you have a year or more of working experience that you can list on your resume, then adding a section for your coursework isn’t essential. Instead, pay attention to making your resume resound with the job description and add any other parts that you think could improve your candidacy.

Don’t also list coursework if you are forcing it. That is to say that any coursework you highlight in your resume should be relevant. If it does not relate to the job you are applying for, it will not make sense to the recruiting manager. Instead, work on drawing attention to your skillset.

How to Put Relevant Coursework on Resume Correctly

Now that you know when to include coursework, it’s time to figure out where to put relevant coursework on a resume. Relevant coursework on a resume should be included as a sub-section within the education part. Now, both the education or experience part can come first, depending on how much working history you have. For an entry-level candidate whose job experience is limited, the education section should precede experience.

Here are some ways of adding coursework to resume: 

List Coursework as an Extra Line Within Your Education Part

One easy way to talk about relevant coursework is to include an additional sentence below your degree. This method allows you to highlight other educational accomplishments too. For example:

University of Illinois

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, May 2018

Relevant coursework : enterprise accounting systems, advanced financial accounting, income taxation, valuation and analysis, cost accounting, business law.

Use Bulleted Points to Emphasize on Your Coursework

Bullet points play a huge role when it comes to emphasizing the statements you put on your application. The same is true when it comes to showing your relevant coursework. Below is an excellent relevant coursework resume example.

2019 BA in Geography with Transport Studies

University of Leeds, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom

Coursework:

• Digital Geographies
• The Urban Age
• Global Geopolitics, Migration and Uneven Development
• Transport Policy in Action
• Population, Society, and Space
• Planet Under Threat

Show the Relevance of the Coursework to the Role with Detailed Bullets

Describe the relevance of the coursework to the role you want to take up using more comprehensive bullet points. This way, you will provide the talent acquisition executive with a better perspective regarding the suitability of your coursework to the vacancy you want to fill. Below is an example showing how to write detailed bullet points for relevant coursework on resume.

• Digital Geographies - submitted a term paper on how digital devices, logic, forth are transforming geography.
• The Urban Age - covered the details on how the modern age has impacted existence on the universe.
• Global Geopolitics, Migration, and Uneven Development - learned how migration and disparity in economic development are impacting worldwide geopolitics.
• Transport Policy in Action - examined the impact and efficacy of transport policies by analyzing different case studies.
• Population, Society, and Space - understood the relationship between people, communities, and land.
• Planet Under Threat - examined the different threats to earth in the 21 st century and beyond.

An essential thing to keep in mind is that if the role demands an excellent educational background and accomplishments, it would be sensible if you dedicated a whole CV section to your coursework. Then, you will have to provide bulleted-lists with more detailed descriptions of your resume related coursework.

Are you struggling with creating bullets for your coursework? Use our free resume building service to overcome this predicament and be on course to landing your dream job!

What to Remember When Including Relevant Coursework on Resume

All told, when putting coursework on resume, there are essential things to have in mind. These include the following:

• Ensure that your CV matches the role you want to fill.
• If your coursework is vital to the position, include it in the upper section of your document.
• Coursework info should be accompanied by other academic details, case in point, GPA, honors, recognitions, etc.
• Include keywords from the vacancy description in your coursework info to make ATS find your CV quickly.
• Provide information other than your coursework, for instance, school projects, publications, etc.
• List online certifications, if any.
• Go through to ensure all the info you have provided is relevant.

To conclude, these are the tips for crafting the perfect resume with relevant coursework. By following this guide, you will write an application that stands out in a pile, boosting your chances of getting accepted for the occupation of your dream.

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How To List Relevant Coursework on Your Resume

Most students and recent graduates do not have a wealth of professional experience to list on a resume, so including relevant coursework can help potential employers get an idea of the skills and qualifications that you are currently developing. This article will cover what relevant coursework is as well as how and when to include it on your resume.

What is Relevant Coursework?

Relevant coursework refers to the classes and subjects that you studied in school which are useful for the position that you are applying for. For example, if you are applying to a marketing position and you have taken classes in psychology that focus on language, emotion, and motivation, that class would be considered relevant since the goal of marketing is to use language and emotion to motivate people to purchase goods and services.

Relevant coursework doesn’t only have to be strictly classes. You can also include academic projects like a thesis or dissertation as well as research that you have done. Online courses are also acceptable to list if they pertain to the job.

The courses and projects that you include must actually be relevant to the position that you are applying for. Don’t list your entire transcript - instead, choose the top 3-5 courses, projects, or subjects that are the most relevant.

If it’s not immediately clear why you are listing a course on your resume, consider including a brief description of the subject materials, projects you completed for the class, and/or how the class will help you perform in the position that you are applying for.

When To Include Relevant Coursework on Your Resume

Consider including relevant coursework on your resume if you are currently a student, you’ve recently graduated, you are applying to an internship , or you are applying to entry-level positions. Additionally, if you are applying to academic or other education-focused positions, it may be appropriate to include relevant courses and details about your studies.

Especially if you have taken AP, IB, or honors classes, listing relevant courses on your resume can show potential employers that you are intelligent, dedicated, and studious.

Finally, if the employer asks for details like a certain degree or diploma, your GPA, or a portfolio of past projects that you have completed, that can be a cue that they will be pleased to see your relevant coursework on your resume as well.

When Not To Include Relevant Coursework

If you have more than a year of professional work experience , you likely don’t need to include relevant coursework on your resume. If you have more than five years of work experience, you almost definitely do not need to include high school or college coursework. Employers will be focused more on your recent work experience than classes that you took many years ago.

Additionally, if you are applying for entry-level positions where school coursework isn’t particularly relevant at all (such as waitstaff jobs, outdoor recreation positions, etc.) then you may be better off focusing on hard and soft skills and certifications over schoolwork.

Selecting relevant coursework to advance your career

If you’re at the beginning (or even in the middle) of your college journey, it’s important to consider your future career as you select your course load. This will ensure you can list relevant coursework on a resume when it’s time for you to begin job hunting. 

One way to do this is to research job titles you would like to have in the future and align the courses you select with the common skills listed in the job descriptions. If your school publishes a catalog, you may want to consult the course descriptions to figure out the skills you’ll gain from each course.

For example, someone who wants to go into marketing may take relevant courses in market research, consumer behavior, or emotional psychology. A person looking to be a graphic designer may need to take classes in typography, color theory, or UX design .

In some cases, your intended career will dictate the coursework you must take. For example, if you intend to be a certified public accountant, you may be required to take classes in auditing, tax concepts, business administration, and forensics. These classes are necessary to obtain certification and work as a CPA.

However, even in these cases, your schedule may still leave room for elective courses. If so, choose classes that will help you build relevant skills for your profession. For an accountant, those skills might be communication, critical thinking, and research strategies. Your related coursework, alongside your academic achievements, will help you stand out as a thoughtful, well-prepared candidate.

Make sure you use the resources available to you, such as academic and career counselors. These professionals have extensive experience helping people choose relevant classes that align with their career goals, and they can likely design an academic track to help you get where you want to be.

How To List Your Relevant Coursework

When crafting your job application, you don’t need a special relevant coursework resume section. Instead, you can incorporate this information into standard resume sections. If you’ve decided that it makes sense for you to include your relevant coursework on your resume, here’s how to do so:

Add Courses to Your Education Section

Naturally, it makes the most sense to add relevant coursework to the education section of your resume. You can add a subsection under each degree that you earned or school that you attended, or you can place your coursework at the bottom underneath all of your school details.

If you have little or no professional experience , place your education section first on your resume, just below your header and your resume objective . You may also wish to use a functional or skill-based resume format to highlight your skills. If you do have some relevant professional experience to list, place that at the top and your education section underneath.

Use either a comma-separated list, a simple bulleted list, or a bulleted list with some additional details for each course.

For example, here’s how to list coursework in a comma-separated list:

BA in Journalism

UC Davis, Davis, CA

Relevant Coursework: Ethical Journalism, Global Journalism, Technical Writing

You can also use a bulleted list, which can be helpful if you want to demonstrate proficiency in multiple fields:

Relevant Coursework: Journalism

• Ethical Journalism
• Global Journalism
• Editor of the weekly student newspaper
• Completed Research Internship with LA Times

Relevant Coursework: English

• Technical Writing
• Creative Writing
• Expository Writing

Finally, you may wish to include a short description of each course that reinforces its relevance to the job. When listing relevant coursework, you can include details about projects you completed in those classes. Here’s an example:

Relevant Coursework:

• Ethical Journalism - Learned principles and practices to ensure the accurate, complete, and fair exchange of information. Completed a hands-on project that included evaluating sources for real news stories to determine the accuracy of the reporting
• Global Journalism - Learned how to present news items with a global outlook and report on issues that affect the entire world
• Completed Research Internship with LA Times - Learned the basics of journalistic research and the processes involved in operating the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country

A comma-separated list will take up the least amount of precious space on your resume, but if your relevant coursework is the highlight of your resume and/or you have blank space to fill, you may wish to provide more detail about each course.

Tailor Your Relevant Coursework to Each Position

For every job you apply to, ensure that your resume lists only relevant coursework and projects that showcase job-related skills. Tailoring your entire resume to each position can help your application pass automated applicant tracking system ( ATS ) scans and get your resume into the hands of a human hiring manager. This can be achieved by using keywords and phrases from the job description as well as pertinent industry keywords throughout your resume to demonstrate that you have the qualifications , skills, and experience necessary for the job.

You can even tailor your education section and your relevant coursework to the job posting. Especially if you opt to use a detailed, bulleted list of relevant coursework, you can use the description of each course as an opportunity to include more keywords.

Start with the most relevant courses

Again, all the coursework that you include on your resume should be directly relevant to the position you are applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a job in the arts, you don’t need to give details about the math classes you took because they don’t represent relevant coursework. Resumes should always be customized for the position you want, and including unnecessary information prevents you from achieving that goal.

When listing courses, always start with the most relevant coursework first within your list. Most hiring managers will only spend a few seconds scanning your resume, so it’s crucial to put your most impressive and important details first.

Consider Adding Other Education Details

If you decide to include relevant coursework, you may wish to add other educational details and achievements as well to round out your academic background. For example, you might include your GPA (if it’s above a 3.5) and awards like honor roll, scholarships, dean’s list, being valedictorian/salutatorian, Latin honors (magna cum laude, etc.), and so forth. You can also include membership in school, national, or international honor societies, business or professional fraternities, and other groups or organizations.

Key Takeaways

Adding relevant coursework is a great way to beef up your resume if you do not have professional work experience to list, such as if you are currently a student, you’ve recently graduated, or you are applying to entry-level jobs. It can also be appropriate to include your coursework if you are applying for an academic-based position. If you do include your relevant coursework, ensure that it is, in fact, relevant - only include courses if they directly boost your ability to perform the job you are applying for.

Need help creating a resume to highlight your relevant coursework? Check out Jobseeker’s resume builder tool, which allows you to add your details and easily swap between resume templates , styles, colors, and more with just a few clicks. Then, download your polished, professional resume instantly and get started applying for jobs!

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• Career Development

Incorporating Relevant Coursework into Your Resume

10 min read

If you've recently graduated, your practical job experience may be thin – but that doesn’t mean you don’t have other ways to show you’re qualified for the position. After all, your education should have included courses to prepare you for your chosen profession. The question is whether you should list relevant coursework on your resume. The good news is that you can include that information if it relates to your chosen career.

There are a few factors to consider before you list your last semester's classes, however. You need to think about where you are in your career, what your job target is, and how relevant your education is to that job target. This article will help you figure out if you should add relevant coursework to your resume, offer some tips on which types of courses and academic achievements to highlight, and explain how to incorporate relevant coursework into your resume.

What is relevant coursework in a resume?

It’s important to understand how you can determine whether coursework is relevant for the position you’re seeking. Fortunately, that determination is easy to make. All you need to do is consider whether the courses you completed are related to the job you’re seeking.

For example, if you are applying for a position in IT, those art classes you took in college would be irrelevant to employers. However, including any computer science courses that you completed could help demonstrate your competency and show that you’re qualified for the job.

While coursework is not the equivalent of actual hands-on professional experience, it can be enough to sway an employer who is impressed with the rest of your student resume. Remember, the whole goal of a resume is to garner enough interest to net you an interview. These tiny details may be just what you need to earn that consideration.

When should you include relevant coursework in your resume?

As a rule, relevant coursework should only be on your resume when it's both relevant and recent. Unlike your degree – which almost always belongs on your resume – your coursework is optional on a resume. In that case, you're most likely to want to list some coursework if you're a recent graduate and applying for an entry-level job.

If you’re a recent graduate, chances are that you have little to no relevant job experience to list on your resume . In that case, including relevant coursework on a resume will demonstrate your exposure to diverse topics.

Put simply, you may benefit from including relevant coursework on your resume if you are a recent graduate with little work experience, are changing careers, and need to demonstrate qualifications in your newly chosen industry or when you have additional space to fill in your resume.

KEY TAKEAWAY: When you have little work experience, including relevant coursework on a resume can be the best way to help you land that interview and get hired for a fantastic job!

What's your job target?

To help you decide whether to include relevant coursework in your resume, think about the type of job you want your resume to target. If your only professional experience with the job function or industry is through your education, it's a clever idea to list some of your classes. Again, you want to check that the classes are both relevant and recent.

Some positions have educational requirements where everyone has basically the same educational background. Others may have few educational requirements at all. If you have a BA or higher education and you're applying for jobs that only require an AA or a high school diploma, your college coursework is probably not relevant.

Before you decide to include any relevant coursework on a resume, you need to ask yourself whether it bolsters your qualifications for the job you want to land. In general, work experience, internships, and volunteer work are more compelling than education experience.

Where should you include your coursework?

Carefully consider the placement of relevant coursework on a resume. For jobs that emphasize educational achievements, you may want to list your coursework and education near the top.

If the position relies on skill and experience, you can list the topics you studied in your skills section. Otherwise, you can include your coursework in your education section of the resume . In fact, most job seekers place these details in their education section.

Finally, there may be times when you want to place this information in your work experience section. More on that later in the post.

How to include relevant coursework on a resume

If your experience is thin and you need to focus on relevant coursework, you want to do it correctly. Here are some tips to help you learn how to create a relevant coursework resume.

1. Be selective

You shouldn't include your full transcript on your resume. You should always prioritize the most advanced or specialized courses over any introductory or general coursework. "Advanced Financial Accounting" is a better choice than "Accounting 101." In that example, you would want to only include the advanced course since the more general class would be redundant.

While there isn't a fixed rule about how many classes you should list on your resume, somewhere between three and eight courses can be a good goal. If you plan to include more than four classes, you may want to get some advice about how to format your skills on a resume and apply it to a list of courses instead.

Using bullet points can help you save space and create a more visually appealing presentation. Remember, your resume is supposed to be one or two pages – and for entry-level candidates, one page is likely sufficient. Use commas, columns, or other visual dividers to keep your coursework organized.

2. Add other relevant educational experience

If you’re including relevant coursework, you might also include your high GPA on your resume.

You can also include other details related to your schoolwork. For example:

Academic awards like making the dean's list

School projects

Original research

Memberships and affiliations

Extra-curricular activities

3. Don't forget about online courses

If you've taken any online classes, you can put those relevant courses on your resume even if they weren't part of your degree. We have a separate guide about how to include online courses on your resume .

Relevant coursework: examples

There are a couple of acceptable ways to list your relevant coursework on a resume. Your choice should be based on need.

If you have some experience and just want to bolster your credentials, you can take a simple approach to this information. Recent graduates will want to spend more time on this section to emphasize its importance.

Remember to identify your coursework with a label. Many job seekers simply use the format:

Related Coursework: [Course #1], [Course #2], [Course #3], etc.

Below, we’ve included some relevant coursework resume examples that you can refer to as you prepare your resume.

Option One: When your resume already includes some relevant experience

If you have relevant experience to list on your resume, you can include your relevant coursework in that section. You don’t need to include a lot of details, though. Instead, you can address your coursework using a format like this:

Bachelor of Science, Marketing, Best College USA

Relevant Coursework: Advertising, Copywriting, Sales Management, E-Marketing, Brand Management

Option Two: For recent graduates with no relevant experience

If your coursework-focused resume needs to emphasize education over experience, then you might want to use a different format altogether. The example below can serve as a template when you’re listing relevant coursework on a resume:

EDUCATION Best College USA, AnyTown, AnyState May 20XX Bachelor of Science in Marketing Cumulative GPA: 3.9

RELEVANT MARKETING COURSEWORK Advertising Concepts & Practical Application, Best College Marketing Department

Fall 20XX-Spring 20XX

Explored advertising theory and history

Analyzed ad-market dynamics

Developed effective advertising campaigns for partner businesses in the area

Brand Management 101, Best College Marketing Department Spring 20XX

Hands-on program working in collaboration with area merchants

Successfully rebranded two major employers in the area

Developed proposed brand-enhancing campaigns for six other employers

Including relevant coursework in your work experience section

There may also be times when you want to include relevant courses in your work experience section. For example, if your desired position includes qualifications that focus on specific skills, you may want to include more details about your education to show the types of skills you developed and how you’ve used them.

One additional benefit that you can enjoy from this approach is the opportunity to include some of those relevant keywords from the job posting. Employers who use applicant tracking systems tend to include job qualifications as keywords in those postings. If you can use those exact terms in your relevant coursework descriptions, you can help enhance your chances of getting your resume past the ATS.

If you do decide to list this information in your work experience section, make sure that you include enough detail to demonstrate measurable achievements in those classes. This can help a prospective employer to better understand how those courses have prepared you for employment at their company. Below is an example of how you can highlight a relevant coursework listing in your work experience section:

Brand Management 101, Best College Marketing Department

Rebranding Lab : Successfully completed rebranding project with local merchant, modernizing the firm’s brand with offline and digital campaigns that increased brand awareness by 42%,

Online marketing : Developed and implemented an online survey for test company that measured client brand preferences for five distinct products.

Client presentation : Researched, crafted, and presented nine separate test client presentations related to brand enhancement, expansion into new markets, and digital rebranding efforts.

As you can see, the use of relevant coursework not only lists the course but also presents detailed information about the types of skills the job seeker developed during their education. This information could be crucial for a prospective employer whose focus is on hiring someone with those specific skills.

How to tell when you should avoid putting relevant coursework on your resume

Of course, adding relevant coursework to a resume may not always be the right thing to do. You need to decide whether the inclusion of this information adds or detracts from your other qualifications. Fortunately, there is a straightforward way to know when you can just skip this information altogether.

1.      Compare your resume to the job posting. Does it already include all the required skills that the employer has cited as necessary qualifications? Do you have work experience achievements that highlight those skills in a quantifiable way? If so, then there is no need to include your coursework.

2.      Is your resume already one or two pages in length? That’s usually a good sign that you already have enough relevant skills and experience to highlight your qualifications, so chances are that your coursework won’t add any additional value.

3.      Are you thinking about adding coursework that’s still in progress? Don’t. If your only relevant courses are ones that you’re still trying to complete, that information is better omitted.

Putting relevant coursework on a resume can make a real difference!

Like many job seekers, you may not be thrilled at the prospect of listing your relevant coursework on a resume. Still, adding coursework details can sometimes be crucial for establishing yourself as a viable candidate for a job. When you're short on work experience, your coursework is a wonderful way to include keywords from the job posting. This reinforces the relevance of your included coursework details and can also help your resume get past the applicant tracking systems (ATS) .

You just might find that your educational achievements are the one thing that pushes you past your rivals and gets you that all-important interview!

Need help deciding whether to include relevant coursework in your resume? Get a free resume review today and let our team of experts provide the help you need!

Recommended reading:

How To Write Your Resume's Education Section

What Is Relevant Experience on A Resume?

Resume Bullet Points or Paragraphs?

Ken Chase, Freelance Writer

During Ken's two decades as a freelance writer, he has covered everything from banking and fintech to business management and the entertainment industry. His true passion, however, has always been focused on helping others achieve their career goals with timely job search and interview advice or the occasional resume consultation. When he's not working, Ken can usually be found adventuring with family and friends or playing fetch with his demanding German Shepherd. Read more resume advice from Ken on  ZipJob’s blog .

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The Right Way To List Certifications on a Resume (With Examples)

We’ll take you through exactly how to list certifications on your resume, including industry-specific qualifications to look into and where they belong on your resume.

3 years ago   •   11 min read

Let's cut straight to the chase: the key to effectively listing certifications is clarity and relevance. In 2024, where the job market is increasingly competitive and digital certifications are on the rise, it's more important than ever to highlight your qualifications in a way that stands out to employers. This means not only listing your certifications but doing so in a manner that aligns with current industry standards and expectations.

Good certifications are worth more than the paper they’re written on. Some are actually required before you can even apply for a job, while others are simply concrete proof of your skills. Either way, the right qualification can make or break a resume.

In this article, we'll guide you through the essentials of showcasing your certifications. We'll discuss why certifications are more relevant than ever in today's job market, the best ways to format and position them on your resume, and how to determine which certifications will make your application shine. Whether you're a seasoned professional or stepping into the job market for the first time, this guide will help ensure your resume's certification section is both impressive and effective.

When to include certifications on your resume (and when not to)

You should list certifications on your resume if:.

• It’s a job requirement : Some jobs will ask for specific licenses and certifications — sometimes, these are even legal requirements. If a job posting mentions a certification as a minimum requirement, you’re unlikely to even be considered unless you include it on your resume. If it’s in the “nice to have” section, it may not be as necessary, but listing it will still give you an advantage.
• It gets you past ATS : If a certification is mentioned in the job description, chances are either a recruiter or an applicant tracking system (ATS) will be screening out resumes that don’t mention it. Clearly listing certifications on your resume will prevent you from getting rejected automatically.
• It establishes credibility : Even in jobs where a certification isn’t strictly required, it can be a good way to demonstrate your skills. The more well-known or established the accreditation is, the more true this is. If you’re working or moving into a field with an industry standard certification, it might be well worth pursuing.
• You're changing careers : If you lack industry-specific experience, completing a short course or certification shows that you’re committed to changing directions (not just resume spamming) and shows that you have the technical skills needed for the job.

You should leave certifications off your resume if:

• It's not relevant to the job : Like anything on your resume, certifications should only be included if they’re actually relevant. You may have studied for ages for that nursing certification, but if you’re applying for a job in human resources, leave it off!
• It's a very short course : Unless they’re essential or deeply relevant, Coursera or similar courses that only take a few hours or days to complete aren’t usually significant enough to belong on your resume. The same goes for most short-form professional development courses, unless it's deeply relevant to the job you're applying for.
• The certification has expired : In the case of certifications that are only valid for a certain period (for example, CPR or First Aid certificates), don't list these on your resume if they're past the point of expiry — but do renew the certification if it's necessary for the job.

Got a certification that definitely belongs on your resume? Scroll down for a detailed guide to listing certifications on a resume.

Why certifications are relevant in 2024

In an era where remote work opportunities continue to rise, and digital skills are highly valued, enhancing your resume and staying up-to-date with relevant skills has become crucial. The right set of qualifications and competitive hard skills can significantly boost your resume by demonstrating adaptability, technical proficiency, and a commitment to staying current in a digitally-driven world.

Online certifications are far more common now than ever before, offering flexibility and accessibility in acquiring new skills. But, not all certificates are created equal. As there are now so many online courses available, choosing the right certificates from a recognized institution is crucial. Employers are far more open to accepting online certifications as proof of your skills. Still, you need to ensure you choose certifications that are recognized and respected in your desired industry.

How to list certifications on your resume

First things first: Here's how to list any certification on your resume.

• List the name of the certificate or qualification.
• Include the name of the certifying agency or where you obtained it. This is important for credibility, as it allows employers to verify the authenticity of your qualifications and assess their relevance.
• List the date you achieved the certification.
• Include a location (if applicable).
• Specify if the certification is still in progress. It's fine to list an in-progress qualification, as long as you add "in progress" or "expected [date]."
• If the certification has an expiration date, make sure you include the dates of validity.
• Use an ATS resume scanner to suggest industry-specific skills and keywords.
• Regularly update your resume to remove or update expired certifications.

How to format certifications on your resume

Use bold or italics for the certification name to draw attention to it, especially if it's a crucial qualification for the job you're applying for. The key is to enhance readability and highlight your qualifications without overwhelming the rest of your resume. For example:

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification - Atlas Institute, May 2022.

This technique helps your most essential certificates catch a recruiter's eye while keeping your resume professional-looking and easy to scan.

Where to list certifications on your resume

Here's a guide to the best places to list certifications on your resume:

In the education section of your resume

The education section of your resume is probably the most intuitive spot to include certifications, especially if they’re particularly significant. List your entries in reverse chronological order, with the most recent qualifications first. If you’re changing careers and don’t have any other relevant experience, you may even want to include your education section at the top of your resume. For example:

Under a section titled ‘Other’ or ‘Additional Information’

List a certifications in an additional section if you have more relevant work experience to emphasize first or you're running out of space on your resume. If you choose to include more than one or two certifications, list them on their own line alongside things like technical skills , awards, and language fluency .

Here's an example of combining your certifications with other skill sets.

Including a subheading makes it easy for a hiring manager to find your relevant certifications.

Here's another simple example of listing a certification, which mentioning who awarded it. Use this only if your certification is not widely known and the context of your certification could help.

In a ‘Certifications’ section

As a rule, you shouldn’t dedicate too much space on your resume to listing certifications — one of two lines should generally be enough. But if you have several certifications and they’re all relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, you can create a dedicated certifications section to avoid cluttering up your resume. For example:

Creating a separate section to avoid clutter is a good idea if you’re listing more than one or two certifications.

In your resume summary or header

If you want to emphasize an essential and/or particularly well-known qualification (including professional licences), include this information in your summary or header. This isn’t the case for most certifications, so first make sure that it’s actually a crucial job requirement and that it’s a well-known and easily recognizable acronym, like PMP or HIPAA. For example:

If your certification is part of the job title you are applying to, you can consider including it directly in your header . Here's an example of a Certified Nursing Assistant's resume:

For roles like nursing where specific certifications are essential, it can be helpful to list your qualifications in your resume header.

In a projects section

If your certification included significant project experience, consider listing it in a dedicated projects section . This can be especially helpful if you’re changing careers and don’t have a lot of relevant work experience, as projects can help bridge the gap and include hands-on experience. Remember to list projects the same way you would any other experience, starting with an action verb and using numbers and metrics where possible. For example:

If you’re not sure if you’ve listed your certifications the right way, upload your resume to the tool below — it’ll scan your resume and give you detailed feedback and suggestions on how to improve your resume sections. It is also a good way to check if your resume is readable by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Use an acronym after your name

Maximize the impact of your prestigious certifications by using acronyms after your name. This immediately signals your qualifications to potential employers.

For instance, if you're a Project Management Professional, include 'John Doe, PMP' at the top of your resume. This tactic is particularly effective for certifications that are well-recognized in your industry.

Why you should consider adding certifications to your resume

Adding certifications can significantly enhance your resume by showcasing your commitment to professional development and proficiency in new skills. The right new skills can open doors to new career opportunities, potentially leading to higher salaries and advancement in your field.

In rapidly changing industries, certifications also ensure that your skills and knowledge remain up-to-date and you remain a competitive candidate for potential promotion. In the long run, certifications not only help with immediate job placement and salary benefits, but also help with long-term career satisfaction and growth.

How to determine what certifications are relevant for your resume

As with most skills on your resume, the best way to determine what skills are relevant for a position, is to look at the job description itself. See what skills are mentioned in the job description, and if you have any of the qualifications mentioned, list them clearly and prominently. Our comprehensive database of skills and keywords allows you to search for a specific job and instantly find the skills to add to your resume, including common certifications.

The next best thing is to network! The most reliable source of information is usually other people working in the industry. If you’re new to the field or changing careers, this step is extra important — our tips on how to ask for an informational interview will help you get started.

Another way to find skills and keywords for your resume is by using the tool below to search for the job you’re applying for. It’ll give you a list of relevant skills and keywords.

Recommended certifications by industry

Depending on your industry, there may be a set of common (or sometimes essential) certifications it would be helpful to pursue.

• Project Managers: Certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP), Prince2, and Lean Six Sigma.
• Human Resources : Jobs may require Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification.
• Information Technology and Engineering : Some of the best are AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), CompTIA A+, Cisco, Google Cloud, and Microsoft certifications.
• Product owners and Developers: Agile and Scrum certifications.
• Accountant : Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification .
• Programmers : Oracle Java, Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), and EC-Council Certified Secure Programmer (ECSP) certifications — but when it comes to most programming languages, a good GitHub profile is far more valuable than specific certifications.
• Nurses and other Healthcare professionals: Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification.
• Business Professionals : Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) or APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) qualification.

How to ensure and show your certification is legitimate

Choose certificates that are from accredited and recognized institutions and well-known organizations. This is particularly crucial with the rise of online courses, where the quality and recognition of qualifications can vary. Mentioning the certifying body on your resume can help establish the legitimacy of your qualifications in the eyes of an employer, and be prepared to provide proof of your certifications if requested, which could include the certificate itself, a transcript, or a link to a verification page.

Frequently Asked Questions

If i have multiple certificates, how do i decide which to include.

Only include certificates and qualifications that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Avoid listing certifications unrelated to the position, as they may distract from your relevant qualifications. If you have multiple certifications that demonstrate the same skills, include only your most recent, the most highly recognized, or those that showcase the highest level skills.

Do I need to list the certifying body or institution that granted my certificate?

Yes. Always mention the name of the institution or organization that granted your certificate. Certifications from renowned and accredited bodies are often viewed more favorably. Omitting this information might raise questions about the legitimacy or significance of your certification.

Should I include the grade of my certificate?

Generally, most certifications are pass/fail, and the grade you achieved is not necessary. The focus should be on the certification itself and its relevance to the job. However, it could be worth mentioning if you achieved an exceptionally high grade or honor (such as graduating top of your class).

How often should I update the certifications on my resume?

You should regularly update your resume to reflect any new certifications. Keeping your resume current ensures potential employers see the most accurate representation of your skills. It's especially important to update certifications that have expiration dates or require renewal.

What is the difference between licenses and certifications on a resume?

A license typically refers to a legal permission to practice a certain profession or activity, and is often mandatory for certain jobs. A certificate usually indicates completion of a course to acquire certain skills or knowledge and is not generally required for a position.

Should I create a separate resume certification section?

Yes, especially if you have multiple relevant certifications. This makes your resume more organized and helps in drawing attention to your key qualifications.

Should I include online course certifications?

Yes, but be selective. Include online certifications that are relevant to the job and from reputable providers. They can demonstrate continual learning and skill development.

What are the risks of including expired or irrelevant certifications?

Listing expired certifications can reflect poorly on your professional image, suggesting outdated skills. Irrelevant certifications may distract from your pertinent skills and experience. Only include certifications that are current and relevant to the job.

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• Student Success
• Academic Life

Academic Success Tip: Engage Students in Real Talk

A pilot initiative at SUNY Oneonta encourages vulnerability among instructors in the classroom, helping students to see their professors as people and seek help.

By  Ashley Mowreader

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Faculty members can build trust, belonging and empathy with students by engaging in real talk in the classroom.

SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images

Anaheim, Calif.—A 2024 Student Voice survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab found 35 percent of college students believe that if their faculty members got to know them, it would increase their academic success. 

One initiative at the State University of New York at Oneonta, highlighted at NASPA’s Student Success in Higher Education Conference in Anaheim, Calif., by three faculty members, creates a community of practice among faculty members to encourage them to share their own stories with students.

The program, the Pedagogy of Real Talk, encourages vulnerability, authenticity and empathy in the classroom and in turn invites students to share more of themselves with their faculty and peers.

The background: The term “pedagogy of real talk” (PRT), developed from a book of that title by Paul Hernandez, focuses on creating an inclusive, relevant and engaging course focused on the student experience.

Through this pedagogy, content is reframed to help students see themselves through their own lens and perspectives, called the terministic screen, which aids in their feelings of belonging and connectedness to both the instructor and the institution.

This is accomplished through vulnerability, empathy and compassion and inspires more creative teaching approaches from the instructor as a result.

The pilot: The first cohort of faculty members began working through the curriculum in 2022, with professors Katie Griffes, Kim Fierke and Valerie Rapson in the inaugural crew. Each year, the faculty focus on one of the three pillars of PRT, starting with vulnerability, then empathy and finally compassion.

Faculty participate in a four-day workshop led by Hernandez, monthly cohort support meetings a midyear half-day retreat and other regular meetings and reflection exercises. For their participation and work, faculty receive a stipend from the institution.

Each faculty member commits to leading one “real talk” among their students per term and one alternative lesson, or a lesson that connects course content to the students’ terministic screens.

The real talk is not branded to the student (so a faculty member doesn’t get up and say, “I’m going to give you a real talk”) but rather a facet of a larger lesson. The conversation centers on a universal theme, such as success or frustration, and isn’t painted in a rainbows-and-sunshine light, but often shows a struggle or shortcoming.

For example, Rapson, assistant professor of physical science, starts her algebra-based physics class off with a discussion about her passion for science. It was a curiosity about extraterrestrial life that first led her to astrophysics, but working with young women who were hesitant to study science made her want to be a teacher.

Fierke, an assistant professor of sports management, shares with her students that she was often overlooked as the women’s head basketball coach at a former institution; referees addressed her older male assistant coach first during games.

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These conversations highlight a bit of the instructor’s care and passion for their subject and their personal connections to the field, which in turn can inspire similar admissions from students.

Alternative lessons, on the other hand, make learning more personable and directly connected to a student’s daily life or social issues outside the classroom.

Also in her algebra-based physics course (part of the exercise science and sports management majors, often taken by student athletes), Rapson created an assignment for the class to construct their own equation using the sport of their choice. For example, learners calculate the speed or distance of a soccer ball kicked across the field or a javelin thrown. This still teaches them physics, but in a way that is more meaningful to them as a sports fan.

Being real: While the initiative has proven ties to student success practices, real talk can feel uncomfortable to the professor, especially in academic cultures such as STEM fields that focus on knowledge as a professor’s most important characteristic, rather than care.

Not every class is well suited for a real talk, either. Some, like Griffes’s communication courses, naturally lend to personal examples, but other large lectures or STEM courses can be less personal, so working alongside other faculty members to find what works well is key, faculty shared.

Another challenge has been navigating boundary-setting in the classroom in the event students start feeling too comfortable, and making sure faculty members are equipped to refer students to experts on campus who can address any needs that are presented.

The impact: As the pilot is still underway and the cohort enters its third and final year of development, there is yet to be formal assessment data on PRT.

Anecdotally, faculty have noticed students are more likely to drop by their office, stay after class or engage during class to share about their struggles and feelings. In class, students ask more questions and are more excited to show up. Learners also make stronger connections between content and their everyday lives, which further helps with engagement.

The professors have seen PRT apply to their experiences outside their classes as well, both in how they hold themselves in interactions with students around campus, in advising settings or in orientation. Griffes serves as the women’s tennis coach at Oneonta and has found that real talk encourages her team to be vulnerable with one another and set aside their assumptions about themselves.

In the future, faculty members hope to understand how real talk affects students across courses and if the practice builds connection outside of individual courses.

Do you have an academic success tip that might help others encourage student success? Tell us about it.

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