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

13 min read · Updated on September 11, 2023

Ken Chase

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

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

See how your resume stacks up.

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

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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. 

relevant coursework resume

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.

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.

adding coursework to resume

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. 

Relevant Coursework

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).

adding coursework to resume

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 education

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

First Year student

Data Science Intern Resume

Data science intern

Portfolio Manager Resume

portfolio Manager

Student Technical Assistant Resume

Student Technical Assistant

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”. 

Generate bullet Point

  • 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. 

Regenerate bullet point

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!

adding coursework to resume

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.

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How to Include Relevant Coursework On Your Resume

Craft a Resume That Focuses on Student Coursework

adding coursework to resume

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 Include Your Relevant Coursework On A Resume

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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.

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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.

Upload & Check Your Resume

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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:

Enhancv How To Include Your Relevant Coursework On A Resume

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:

Enhancv How To Include Your Relevant Coursework On A Resume

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.

Enhancv How To Include Your Relevant Coursework On A Resume

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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Listing Relevant Coursework on a Resume: Get it Right!

Listing relevant coursework on a resume

Offering a very thin resume translates to modest employment potentials for newbie job hunters. Increasing the chances of finding work is dependent on the impression you make on the recruiter.

The best way to accomplish this is to have a major asset up your sleeve to enrich your resume—your overall coursework. It might not seem as relevant, but showcasing your coursework in your resume shows you’re a knowledgeable and well-prepared applicant for any position.

Featuring relevant coursework in your resume will build up your credibility—especially if you can share your projects and academic achievements that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

It’s crucial to remember when you are making your resume that it should not be a catalog of volunteer work or an internship —but a tailor-made document that emphasizes the professional qualities you need to get the job.

But, what makes coursework essential on a resume?

More importantly, how does getting your coursework into your resume template make for a more professional impression?

Read on as we answer these and more below and discuss the importance of featuring relevant coursework in your resume.

In this post, you will find:

What is Relevant Coursework on a Resume?

A resume featuring relevant coursework consists of various courses you took at school, alongside the academic experiences that actually apply to the job position. The education section is the best place in a resume for coursework as it highlights your most hirable achievements concerning the role.

Still, both the subjects and projects listed must be relevant for the job position.

For example, being a debate champion has nothing to do with culinary arts. Instead, pointing out that you took and excelled in a class on economics at college is far more appropriate for that accounting position you’re applying for.

It is also not important to list the number of subjects you studied as a students part of your resume coursework . The specifics of what you studied, on the other hand, will be what counts the most in the employer’s eyes. Solely listing a course on resumes will not be enough in making those highlights stand out.

A resume with relevant coursework targets the skills vital for the target job and steers clear of stuffing the resume with filler information. The best approach to listing courses on resumes is to include projects, internships, and certificates you have acquired.

How to Write a Resume: The Ins and Outs

If you are wondering how to add relevant classes/courses on a resume , there are a couple of principles to follow for the best results.

When to Include and Exclude Relevant Coursework

Relevant coursework you add to your resume can include a past or present class you are taking or projects you were involved with. Not just that, it’s also highly recommended to list examples of where you have competence in a given field, and the degree of experience that will interest your employer in taking a chance on you.

Some instances when you should include your relevant coursework on your resume are:

  • If you are a recent graduate . The education system aims to prepare students to join the workforce immediately. However, employers always want to see clear evidence of your core competencies , which can be conveyed via your coursework projects.
  • Lacking work experience . If you haven’t had a full time job in your sector before, you can build credibility by including related resume coursework, thus showcasing your professional potential for the suitable position. Check our guide on how to write a resume with no experience and to make the most of your education and related coursework to catch the recruiter’s attention.
  • A change of career . You may be a highly qualified professional in a given industry. Still, if you decide to change industry, you’ll be forfeiting your status as an experienced professional and starting from scratch as a rookie.

Our free online resume builder lets you can add relevant coursework easily to showcase your professional potential, that, in tandem with your work ethic, can make you a good fit for your desired position.

When to Exclude Coursework from Your Resume

With all this being said, there are also occurrences when it’s wiser to exclude coursework on your resume:

  • If your resume is too long . If you’re blessed with both skills and work experience, you can afford to be selective and choose what’s appropriate. Unless you have a crucial certification for the job, listing all the relative coursework may be misunderstood as a not-so-subtle attempt to impress.
  • Outdated coursework . You just celebrated your class reunion, but it’s been20 years since your graduation. Times have changed, and with them, so has the curriculum used for college classes. So, it could be better to leave out some irrelevant details from the resume altogether.
  • Not relevant to the position . Let’s not forget that resume coursework must be compatible with the job opening. After all, it’s called relevant coursework for a good reason. So, if the coursework has nothing in common with the job you are going for, there’s no benefit in mentioning the coursework at all.

How to List Relevant Coursework

Depending on the structure of your resume and the information you provide, there are several ways you can add relevant coursework to your resume. Remember, the entry-level candidate resume should not be longer than one page. Also, don’t forget to mention online courses you’ve completed and to place the relevant coursework in the right order.

If a job requires educational achievements, put your education at the top of the list.

If a skill in the job posting appears to be a priority for your potential employee, you ought to list both relevant internships and projects that align with this desired skill.

The visuals of the resume are important, so consider a column or a detailed resume format. Below are a few different ways to list any relevant course on resumes. Look at them!

Single-column format

The single-column format is similar to the education part of the resume, promoting your relevant coursework in list form.

As a practical resume example, a candidate applying for a psychology job should include the following:

Bachelor’s in Psychology Columbia University, New York Graduation: 2019

Relevant Coursework:

  • Learning and Cognition
  • Cognitive Linguistics
  • Social Psychology
  • Psychology of Emotion

Multi-column Format

If you have multiple skills you are looking to make the focal point of this section, consider a multi-column format. For each column, use a different header with the relevant courses listed underneath.

Example of a multi-column format:

Bachelor’s in Information Technology Pennsylvania State University, PA Graduation: 2020

Related Coursework:

  • Application Development—developed IT concepts and skills for web development.
  • Human-Centered Design—research into increasing the usability of IT systems with a human-centric approach.
  • Networking and Telecommunications—studied transmission media, cybersecurity, and digital signal modulations.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning :

  • Machine Learning: Studying the interrelation between AI and machine learning, its influence on business processes, and marketing teams.
  • Artificial Intelligence implications for business strategy: Acquired knowledge to guide AI integrations into current companies to implement strategic decisions.

Detailed Format

A detailed format resume goes more in-depth than just using the course title. It provides more specifics on the skills you may have learned in each individual course. This format will look more like the layout you’re used to seeing under the work experience section of a resume.

Bachelor’s in Marketing University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Graduation: 2020

Global Marketing Techniques

  • Awareness of B2B marketing strategies, social media campaigning, public relations, and content creation.
  • Studied the relationships between businesses and how acceptance to marketing is modified in contrast to B2C.

Public Relations

  • Building contacts with editors, writing press releases, and pitching articles topics
  • Implementing public relations campaigns, hosting open days, and event promotion.

Retail and Sales Management

  • Learning the basics of marketing, copywriting, psychology of customers, analysis of data, and more.
  • Formulating and implementing a marketing plan.

Coursework on a Resume: Conclusion

If you include relevant coursework on resumes, you make it easier to communicate the value you can bring to a business . Keep the job description in focus when choosing what information to incorporate when listing courses on resumes, and where you position it on the page.

Whether you opt for an online design tool, or want to use the free online resume builder of ResumeGiants specifically designed by professional resume experts—the details you put in it will be just as important as the things you decide to leave out.

Remember, at the end of the day, a quality resume is your signal bonfire to attract recruiters to your position—and including relevant coursework in it can be the fuel that ignites your dream career.

Should You Include Relevant Coursework on Your Resume?

What to include, how to list it, and when it is appropriate (with examples).

Courtney Welu

Work experience can be hard to come by when you’re a full-time student, and maybe you’ve only had an internship or two. You might be anxious that your resume is essentially a blank page.

So how can you show employers what you bring to the table?

One way to add relevant experience to your resume is to include relevant coursework. The college courses that you’ve taken can highlight your academic achievements, niche skillsets, knowledge in a certain area, or anything else that gives you an edge in your job search.

The relevant coursework section is optional for a reason, however: everything you list needs to be relevant to the role that you’re applying for. Listing random classes won't help hiring managers see that you’re the right fit for the job.

According to the Stanford Career Center , whether or not you add coursework "depends on the skills required, if by adding your coursework you are able to demonstrate that you have gained specific skills for that job, then it might be worth adding a few courses."

Here are some tips to help you decide whether you need a resume section for your relevant coursework, or if there is a better way to show potential employers why they want to hire you. 

Formatting Your Resume Like a Pro

adding coursework to resume

The first thing you need to do is think about how to format the rest of your resume. Relevant coursework can be a valuable addition, but you need to position it correctly with the rest of your experience. Websites like Canva provide a variety of resume templates that you can use to start. 

First of all, it's essential to note: an entry-level resume should be exactly a page long, no more, no less. This shows off a variety of experience and helps potential employers read it quickly and easily.

Within that page, you need to include multiple sections including education, experience, skills, and volunteer work/extracurriculars.

 With so many potential sections, where does relevant coursework fit in?

Tricks to Make Your Education Section Shine

adding coursework to resume

For most folks, the education section of your resume includes your degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc) and GPA. Depending on how you choose to format, it may encompass research projects, awards, academic achievements, or even extracurricular activities and volunteer experience.

If you choose to include relevant coursework in your resume, it also belongs in the education section. There are several options when formatting your relevant coursework section, but make sure that it’s a clearly labeled subsection listed below your degree.

Option 1: Additional Line

Beneath your degree, make a list of courses that you think best represent your knowledge and expertise as related to the job description. Here’s an example:

adding coursework to resume

Option 2: Bullet points

If you have more space available on your resume, you can make your relevant coursework section more impactful by spacing out the courses in a bullet point list. 

adding coursework to resume

Option 3: Detailed bullet points

You can go the extra step and add descriptions of each course to your bulleted list. This is a good option if the course titles don’t make the content of the course clear. You can use descriptions to show how the courses are applicable to the job.

adding coursework to resume

Option 4: A separate section

If the position you want requires a particularly strong academic focus, you can create an entirely separate section just for your related coursework, so you can go into even greater detail. However, this will not be necessary for most positions.

adding coursework to resume

The Only Things to Include in Your Relevant Coursework Section

adding coursework to resume

If you choose to add relevant coursework, the courses should always be applicable for the position. If you’re applying for a job in software engineering, a recruiter probably won’t care about your biology classes. However, they definitely want to know what programming languages you're proficient in what domain expertise you have. Even if you haven’t had work experience in the field yet, your computer science classes probably provided a solid foundation. 

Pay close attention to the job description: what hard skills or unique experiences are they looking for? How do your courses relate?

The job description may provide other queues about how to tailor your education section. They may be looking for a specific certification that you'll need an online course to fulfill. Or, they may require a specific GPA or degree type, which could make or break your chances of getting the job. Knowing that a potential employer cares about your GPA is also a good way to gauge if they care about your college courses.

When to Include a Relevant Coursework Section

adding coursework to resume

✅ When including the section is a good idea...

There are some circumstances when adding relevant coursework to your resume is a great idea. Here are a few:

  • When you have limited work experience. This is especially applicable if you are a college student or a recent high school graduate. Adding relevant coursework allows you to showcase knowledge and skillsets that a recruiter wouldn’t see in your work experience.
  • For jobs that place a higher value on educational accomplishments. Some roles are more interested in your academic expertise (and the papers, projects, and awards that come along with it) than your hands-on experience. 
  • When you're switching careers . If you've taken online courses (or even recent college courses) that relate to your new role, include them! Show potential employers that you're dedicated to learning about the field. 

❌ When including the section is unnecessary...

Although it may not be harmful, there are a lot of times when including classes is just unnecessary. Here are a few:

  • When you have a lot of experience. If you’ve had several jobs or internships’ worth of relevant work experience, then you probably don’t need to include college courses unless they’re strongly related to the role. At that point in your career, you have professional experiences and achievements that you can point to instead. Highlight a work project or initiative rather than a school project, as it will likely be more relevant.
  • For jobs that won't take it into account. Some companies don't find coursework helpful in the hiring process, or don't take it into account (example: retail and food service jobs)
  • When it's unrelated to your career path. You might have a degree in an area that doesn’t intersect with your current career path, in which case your professional experience will be far more important to include. 

Main Takeaways

Including relevant coursework on your resume is entirely optional, but it can be a welcome addition to a resume when it’s, keyword, relevant .

When applying to jobs, dedicate time and attention to each section of your resume in order of importance. If you choose to include a relevant coursework subsection, make sure you’re tailoring it to each job you apply for.

If you think your college courses are the key to getting hired, then make the section prominent. If not, then be sure to add other sections to your resume to showcase your skillset and expertise. 

👉 Read Next:   How far back should your resume go?

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Third-party data has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable; however, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Candor does not receive compensation to promote or discuss any particular Company; however, Candor, its employees and affiliates, and/or its clients may hold positions in securities of the Companies discussed.

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Listing Relevant Coursework on Your Resume in 2024

adding coursework to resume

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.

adding coursework to resume

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.

adding coursework to 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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adding coursework to resume

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.

How To List Your Relevant Coursework

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:

Relevant Coursework:

  • Ethical Journalism - Learned principles and practices to ensure the accurate, complete, and fair exchange of information
  • 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

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. However, 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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How To Show Relevant Coursework On A Resume

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How To Write Degree In Progress On Resume

There are plenty of reasons you might have an unfinished degree you want to include on your resume. It could be that you’re still in school, you’re taking a leave of absence, or you had other plans for your life.

Whatever the case, we’re going to show you how to list an unfinished degree on a resume in a way that strengthens your application.

Here are some tips and examples to get you started:

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 resumes purpose.

Where To Include Relevant Coursework In Your Resume

If you think relevant coursework is going to be the primary feature of your experience, putting it at the top of your resume so its in the main part of the document is the best call. In this case, you should use the detailed coursework listing format above.

Conversely, if your relevant coursework is simply a supplement to the rest of your resume , itd be best to place it below the education section of your resume. In this case, youll probably want tot use the single or multi-column format above, so as to maximize space for your internship and work experiences.

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Even though the coursework is not the same as any relevant experience, but it might be enough to be invited to an interview in case other sections encourage your potential boss. Decide first if adding coursework on a cv is ideal for you

Relevant Coursework In Resume Example http//www

S For Adding Relevant Coursework In Resume

Relevant Coursework on Vimeo

There are several ways to add relevant coursework to your resume. If you are unsure which one is best for your resume, follow these simple tips:

  • Single column format. This format assumes that you have one column about your education. You can also include the theme and year of creation of your course robot here. This method is suitable for those students who have one coursework available.
  • Multi-column format. If the profession requires skills in several areas and coursework on different topics, this format will suit you.
  • Detailed format. This format implies a description of the subjects that you studied more profoundly and received achievements for them. It will feel like a professional experience. Instead of a place of work, you can list the names of schools, volunteer events, and coursework.
  • Additional format. There is no perfect resume template, and you have the right to add the information that better reveals your identity. Therefore, if appropriate, highlight a separate column for the coursework description.

If, while researching coursework, you were able to discover new phenomena of science, proudly report it in your resume. Dont be ashamed of your lack of experience sometimes your coursework says more about you than you do. Choose the format you like.

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Tips To Remember When Adding Coursework To The Resume

  • Make sure your resume fits the job description of the specific position you want to fill.
  • Include your coursework in the upper section of your document if it is relevant to the position.
  • Coursework information should be accompanied by other academic details, such as GPA, honors, and other recognitions.
  • Include keywords from the advertised job description in your coursework information to help ATS quickly find your CV.
  • Other than your coursework, include information such as school projects, publications, and so on.
  • If you have any online certifications, do list them chronologically.
  • Check to ensure that all of the information youve provided is correct.

How To Add Relevant Coursework On Resume

Depending on how much information is already on your resume and how relevant the details of your coursework are for the position, you may need to change how you list coursework information. You must carefully consider the placement of relevant coursework on your resume.

If you are applying for a job that emphasizes educational achievements, you should put your coursework and education near the top of your resume. If the position requires specific skills and experience, you can include them in your skills section. You can also include your coursework in your education section if you prefer.

The following are the various methods for including relevant coursework on your resume:

  • Single column format:

The single-column format is similar to your resumes education section. Your relevant coursework is displayed in a list format with bullet points in the single-column format. You will only include the relevant class title and no other information in this section.

An example of the single-column format-

RELEVANT MANAGEMENT COURSEWORK

  • Multi-column format:

If you want to highlight multiple skills that fall into different categories, you can use the multi-column format. Each column should have a different header, and the relevant courses should be listed beneath it.

An example of the multi-column format-

  • Digital Marketing.
  • Detailed format:

An example of the detailed format-

Finance, Pennsylvania University

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Tips For Mentioning Relevant Coursework On A Resume

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 employers perspective. Ask yourself how your potential employer would view the courses and projects youve 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.

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

Identify Any Relevant Extracurriculars To Include

If you decide to include extracurriculars, make sure that they relate to the primary coursework you listed. Extracurriculars need to augment your courses and help to draw more attention to them. For example, if you’re a botany student, you might include a gardening club as a relevant extracurricular activity.

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Should I Include Relevant Coursework On Cvs

Weve just shown you several examples of including courses on a CV.

Adding related coursework on CVs is optional . However, it is a strategic choice which may help your chances, if done right.

Should you include relevant coursework on a CV?

  • Youre writing a CV with little experience
  • You have coursework relevant to the job to which youre applying.
  • The job places a high value on educational accomplishments .

Otherwise, when you gain more than a few years of general work experience, save that CV real estate for a more impactful section.

Expert Hint: Many classes in your relevant coursework section act as great CV keywords . For example, if you took a class on business communication or programming youre telling the employer you have those business skills and computer skills without needing to include them in the CV skills part of your CV.

What’s Your Work Experience Like

We live in a strange world where many employers request entry-level candidates to have a few years of work experience under their belts. It’s a frustrating, convoluted predicament for graduates and anyone else who’s new or just coming back to the workforce.

When you don’t have a lot of work experience , you need something to fall back on. Relevant coursework on a resume is one of the more effective substitutes. Including it shows you have knowledge and skills even if you don’t have any real-world job experience. Just remember not to go overboard. You don’t need to list every class, lecture, lab, and practicum you’ve ever taken. The keyword is relevant .

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Charmaine Pocek Phdc Ms Cprw Ceip Acrw Prc

Triple-certified resume writer/linkedin expert/strategic recruiter/interview prep: 832-857-9698 at my improved resume.

Short but important post!

Listing Coursework on your Resume and LinkedIn:

Listing coursework is a great way to help key word optimize and show your knowledge to the position applying to, but should be short and only industry relevant, showcasing the most important positions. Listing your entire transcript will make your resume or LinkedIn profile too long, and you will lose interest of potential employers.

  • DO NOT list Introduction to xyz, just list the course. Do not list course I, II and III, just list the course name
  • Do not list the course number keep it short!
  • List RELEVENT coursework! If you were a history major, but changing your degree to marketing, just list marketing coursework.
  • Do not list course basics just industry relevant courses to help key word optimize.

Coursework is good to list, even if you have been out of school for some time IF it helps key word optimize your resume. Recent graduates looking for a job or current students looking to build their resume through an internship should always include relevant course work on their resume. Your course work could make up for your lack of hands on experience in the industry.

Example Of Listing Relevant Coursework On A Resume:

my resume

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.

Relevant or related coursework is appropriate when listing your courses. Here are some examples:

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How To List Relevant Coursework On A Resume

If you’re a student, you might not have a large volume of work experience to list on your resume. This is common, and employers are likely to consider your status as a student when reviewing your resume. Adding relevant coursework to the job or internship you’re applying for can help employers understand the skills you’re developing and why you’d be a good fit for the job. In this article, we discuss when it’s most appropriate to include coursework, review how to list relevant coursework on a resume in six steps, and explore a few examples.

Related: 7 Steps for Creating a Resume as a Student

If Its Relevant To The Position

If your unfinished degree is relevant to the job youre applying for, include details that show your hiring manager the experience and knowledge youve gained from your education.

Include any relevant coursework or the number of credits completed in your education section. You should also include any academic achievements that demonstrate excellence in your field of study.

Heres an example of how to list unfinished college on your resume if its highly relevant to the job:

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Ann Arbor, Michigan 2018-2020, GPA: 3.8/4.0 Completed 75 credits towards a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a specialization in Urban Planning Awarded the Abrams Family Internship Scholarship for my internship at Ann Arbor City Government Planning and Development Department.

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Use Keywords In Your Descriptions

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.

Who Should Include Coursework On A Resume

Recent graduates or people changing careers may not have enough related experience. This is the perfect opportunity to list coursework instead of experience. Before you can impress a hiring manager with your skills and talents, you first need to get an interview. Without showing experience on a resume, it might be difficult to reach that first step.

Be sure to include only the courses relevant to the position you are applying to, such as electives in business marketing, child psychology or medical terminology. If you completed a practicum or job shadowing as part of your coursework, be sure to include that also.

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Things To Include On Your Resume

If you have no work experience and search for good jobs in marketing, science, or other fields, focus on your related courses to submit a winning CV. Use helpful tips on how to list college courses on resume and write other important sections because they can guide you to success.

Choose the right place for your courses to save time. List it near the top when applying for any positions that emphasize different educational achievements or successes. If they rely on related experiences and skills, include these important details in your skills section to attract hiring managers attention. Other jobs require including them in your education section.

  • Ensure that your courses are relevant to the chosen position because listing irrelevant classes can break your chances to succeed.
  • Include your high GPA or academic awards.
  • Add different extracurricular activities, special projects, or volunteer work to showcase your related skills and impress recruiters who offer job interviews.
  • Write about online courses too.
  • Include related keywords from job postings to reinforce included coursework data and increase chances for your CV to attract employers attention fast.

Possible ways to list relevant coursework on your resumes

  • When your CV includes related working experiences, feel free to include your coursework in this section without writing down many details.
  • Recent graduates have no relevant experience. Thats why their resumes should emphasize education over job experiences.

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

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How To List Relevant Coursework On Cvs

Youve decided to include a related university class or course on your CV.

Though education is important, Id recommend going with the first course option in most cases, as it takes up less room. However, if you lack real-world experience but have an impressive academic background, the third option might be perfect for you.

Keep in mind MORE does not always mean BETTER. Employers, on average, spend 6-8 seconds on your CV. Include what is most relevant and keep descriptions clear and to the point. Erin LewisAssistant Director of Clarion Universitys Centre for Career and Professional Development

If the university coursework youre thinking of writing isnt relevant to the job youre applying for, leave it off!

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

Want to try a different look? Theres 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here .

Second Add Internships To Your Resume

Resume_KPI_VM

Many courses require you to complete summer internships that might not pay but offer experience in your field. For example, if you are applying for a law firm job, include your internship working as a file clerk or transcriptionist. During these internships, you probably learned to answer phones, talk with clients and specific legal terminology. Listing this on your resume shows you have a knowledgeable background working with attorneys, even if you might not have paid employment experience.

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Example Of Listing Courses On A Food Service Cv

Institute of Culinary Education , New York, NY

Graduation: 2014

Relevant Classes: Food Business Management, Baking and Pastry Arts, Restaurant and Culinary Management, Art of International Bread Baking, Intensive Sommelier Training, Cuisine with Farm to Table Emphasis, Food Science and Nutrition.

Expert Hint: There are also many great courses offered by colleges and universities which help you advance in your career. While these will surely benefit your job search and give you some relatable experience, these arent relevant to the job, so leave them off.

Recommended Certifications On A Resume

Employers often use certifications as a resume filter to narrow the pool of applicants. Some certifications can give employers more confidence that a candidate has the right qualifications for the job. For example, the IT Profession has many certificates that prove proficiency in network engineering.

Employers sometimes even compile statistics and report on the number of employees with particular qualifications. Listing highly desired certificates is a very effective way to make your resume stand out. Especially if youâre an entry level candidate or student!

Recommended certificates can sometimes be found in the job description.

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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 donât 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

Couple With Academic Achievements / Gpa

If you dont want to use a separate section, or you dont have enough space for it, you can always couple them with your academic achievements or with your GPA.

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

Dont 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 dont 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 wouldnt 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.

Dont put all of your courses. It is going to take a lot of space and it would only distract the Recruiter.

Read Also: How To List Courses On Resume

How To List Bachelor Degree On Resume

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How to Mention Relevant Coursework in a Resume

Last Updated: May 25, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Amber Leima and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD . Amber Leima is a Resumé Consultant and the Founding Editor of Best Words Editing. She has two decades of experience helping people and companies express their unique value. Amber is a master at drawing out what matters from your personal story and promoting it to optimal effect, crafting beautifully clear resumés and on-point personal branding supported by thoughtfully-structured interview coaching. She holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in English Literature from the University of Sussex, England. Her clients have been hired by their employers of choice, including Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and PayPal. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 354,505 times.

Crafting a great resume isn’t easy! One of the many tricky parts is choosing what to add and what to leave out—for instance, should you list some relevant coursework? Adding coursework can be particularly important if you are a recent graduate and have little relevant work experience. If you determine that you should indeed add relevant coursework to your resume, it’s critical to ensure it is truly relevant to the position for which you are applying—and is listed in the right place with sensible formatting!

Selecting Coursework for Inclusion

Step 1 Add coursework to your resume if you have limited relevant work experience.

  • The general cut-off point is typically 5 years of relevant work experience: if you have less than this, add relevant coursework to your resume; if you have more than this, only add relevant coursework if it’s hyper-specific to the job or internship.
  • Still not sure if you should add coursework to your resume? Ask yourself if you’ll rely on talking about coursework during an interview. In other words, do you have enough relevant work experience that you won’t need to mention your coursework during an interview? If the answer is “yes,” then you typically don’t need to add coursework to your resume.

Step 2 Write down all your completed and in-progress degrees and specializations.

  • Remember: just because you’re not done with a course or degree doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant! Always list any in-progress coursework and note the planned completion date of the course or degree.
  • List the courses by their actual title, not their course number or some nickname: for example, “United States History to 1877,” not “U.S. History 101” or “American History I.” This isn’t absolutely essential while brainstorming, but it makes things easier once it’s time to transfer coursework to your resume. [3] X Research source

Step 4 Select 3-6 courses per degree that best pertain to the job or internship.

  • If, for example, you’re a communications major and are applying for a social media internship, any social media communication classes you’ve taken should be considered relevant. Or, if you’re applying for an HR job and have taken courses on finance and payroll as part of your human resources major, definitely include these if the position involves areas like compensation and benefits.

Step 5 Use internships and volunteer positions to enhance your coursework.

  • For example, if you are applying for a position at an aerospace engineering firm, you should list your internship at an aerospace research facility. Or, if you are applying for a social media position at a marketing company, you might list volunteer experience as the social media director at a local festival.

Adding Coursework to Your Resume

Step 1 Create a separate education and coursework section for your resume.

  • Suggested section title: Relevant Education and Coursework.
  • For example, you may have earned a degree in English, but are now studying graphic design at your local college. If you are applying for a position at a graphic design firm, list this educational experience first, before your English degree.
Bachelor of Science in Genetic Engineering Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island Expected completion date: 05/2017

Step 3 Present 3-6 courses as a list, or 1-2 courses in more detail.

Bachelor of Science in Genetic Engineering Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island Expected completion date: 05/2017 Relevant coursework: Lab Testing & Reporting, Genetic Manipulation, Social Implications of Genetic Engineering.
Advanced Studies in Marketing and Advertising Hudson Community College, Hudson, New York Expected completion date: 05/2015

Step 4 Include honors rather than graduation dates if you’re not a recent grad.

  • It’s also not necessary to list your final GPA for a degree or course, as most employers will not notice the score. But if you graduated with high honors, such as summa cum laude or with honors , make a note of this in your resume.
Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, Graduated with Honors Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec Relevant Coursework: Advanced Topics in Social Anthropology, Research and Investigation, Advanced Studies in Ancient Cities.

Expert Q&A

Alyson Garrido, PCC

  • Even if your education and coursework listing feels a bit thin for the position, it’s important not to fabricate coursework on your resume. Your employer may ask you about this made-up coursework, putting you in a position where you must either come clean or be dishonest in your interview. [10] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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  • ↑ https://publichealth.gwu.edu/blogs/careers/2014/04/15/weekly-career-tip-including-relevant-coursework-on-a-resume/
  • ↑ https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-and-how-not-to-list-education-on-your-resume
  • ↑ Amber Leima. Resumé Consultant. Expert Interview. 18 March 2022.
  • ↑ Alyson Garrido, PCC. Career Coach. Expert Interview. 24 January 2019.
  • ↑ https://career.virginia.edu/blog/how-create-stem-resume-basics
  • ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2017/06/07/your-handy-answer-to-how-long-do-i-keep-my-graduation-year-on-my-resume/#3789e7ee6d2e
  • ↑ https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2019/01/why-you-should-never-lie-on-a-resume-7-stories-of-people-who-got-caught

About this article

Amber Leima

Referencing your coursework is a great way to show an employer the knowledge and experience you have in a particular field. If you've completed any coursework relevant to the job you're applying for, include it in your resume to show off your skills. To do this, list your coursework in your education section, underneath your degree. Write your degree or course first, then your university or college, followed by your graduation date or anticipated completion date. Then, underneath that, add the subheading “Relevant coursework,” and list 1-3 examples of relevant coursework. For more tips, including how to work out which coursework is most relevant to the job you’re applying for, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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  1. How to List Relevant Coursework on a Resume (With Examples)

    Adding coursework to your resume that's relevant to the job you're applying for can highlights the skills you've gained while studying. January 31, 2024. ... Including relevant graduate coursework on your resume demonstrates the skills and knowledge you've acquired that apply to your new career field.

  2. How to List Relevant Coursework on a Resume + Examples

    Adding coursework on a resume is a good idea—in some cases. But only if you do it just right. Don't worry, you'll see how in just a moment. In this guide: Over a dozen examples of resume coursework and related classes to include. Instructions on how to list relevant coursework on resume education sections.

  3. How To Include Relevant Coursework on a Student Resume

    1. Use a single-column format. The single-column format looks similar to the education section on your resume, simply displaying your relevant coursework in list form. For example, a candidate applying for a journalism job might include the following: Relevant Editorial Coursework. Ethical Journalism.

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

    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 ...

  5. How to List Relevant Coursework on a Resume [10+ Examples]

    UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. Relevant Coursework: Language and Cognitive Development, Psychology of Emotion, Psychological Statistics, Cognitive Linguistics. If you add the relevant courses to a resume in this way, you'll have plenty of room for including other academic achievements on your resume. 2.

  6. How to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume

    Follow these steps when adding relevant coursework to your resume: 1. Be thoughtful about your courses. When deciding which courses to include on your resume, only choose ones that are directly related to the job you're applying to. For instance, if you're looking for an entry-level social media specialist role, you could list some of your ...

  7. How to List Coursework on a Resume

    There are a few steps to follow to include coursework on your resume: 1. First, list relevant courses that show experience. For example, if you are applying for a job in education, you can list courses in child development, child psychology and any other classes that will show experience working with children. 2.

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

    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.

  9. How to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume

    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.

  10. How to list relevant coursework on your resume · Resume.io

    Coursework Resume Example 3: Standard List. 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. Example.

  11. How to Make Relevant Coursework on a Resume Look Good (Examples and

    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.

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    Here are how you put relevant coursework on a resume: Adding relevant coursework to resumes is optional. It is more suitable for entry-level workers, recent graduates, and students. You can include relevant coursework on resumes by adding it in the education section or a separate relevant coursework section.

  13. How to Include Relevant Coursework On Your Resume

    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.

  14. How To Include Your Relevant Coursework On A Resume

    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.

  15. How to List Relevant Coursework on a Resume (With Examples)

    Adding relevant coursework to the job or internship you're applying for can help employers understand the skills you're developing and why you'd be a good fit for the job. In this article, we discuss when it's most appropriate to include coursework, review how to list relevant coursework on a resume in six steps and explore a few examples.

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    Depending on the structure of your resume and the information you provide, there are several ways you can add relevant coursework to your resume. Remember, the entry-level candidate resume should not be longer than one page. Also, don't forget to mention online courses you've completed and to place the relevant coursework in the right order.

  17. Should You Include Relevant Coursework on Your Resume?

    Main Takeaways. Including relevant coursework on your resume is entirely optional, but it can be a welcome addition to a resume when it's, keyword, relevant. When applying to jobs, dedicate time and attention to each section of your resume in order of importance. If you choose to include a relevant coursework subsection, make sure you're ...

  18. Listing Relevant Coursework on Your Resume in 2024

    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.

  19. How To List Relevant Coursework on Your Resume

    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.

  20. How To Show Relevant Coursework On A Resume

    Include the necessary details. Add details about the coursework you mention, such as the projects you completed or the professional skills you learned. Its a good idea to prioritize your most relevant courses and projects when adding these details to your resume as a student or recent graduate.

  21. How To List Online Courses on a Resume (With Examples)

    You can also create a new section on your resume specifically for online coursework. Every resume looks different, but typically you might place this section toward the bottom or near your education or skills sections. Give it a title, such as "Professional development" or "Professional training." Related: How to Organize Sections of a Resume 3.

  22. How to Mention Relevant Coursework in a Resume: 9 Steps

    Your coursework can make up for a lack of hands-on experience in the industry. The general cut-off point is typically 5 years of relevant work experience: if you have less than this, add relevant coursework to your resume; if you have more than this, only add relevant coursework if it's hyper-specific to the job or internship.

  23. The Best Ways to Incorporate Coursework into your Resume and ...

    Listing coursework is a great way to help key word optimize and show your knowledge to the position applying to, but should be short and only industry relevant, showcasing the most important ...

  24. How to Add LinkedIn to Your Resume

    Add your username and place the networking platform icon on the left of your name. 4. For a 2-page resume, include it in the footer of the second page, alongside your information. Add a shortened version of your header in your 2-page resume or use the header information on your resume footer in a smaller font.