How To Write Associate Of Arts Degree On Resume

Proper Format For An Associate’s Degree On A Resume

• College Degrees

One of the most important steps in finding a job is writing a proper resume. Your resume could be the only thing that an employer looks at before choosing whether to call you for an interview. It is important to include as much pertinent information about yourself as possible so that you can show potential employers all that you have to offer. If you have one or more associate’s degrees, include these items in the “education and training” section of your resume.

How To Put Down Your Education In Your Resume

Now that you have an idea of where to put your education section, lets start with the basics.

In terms of structuring your education section, the general practice is to follow a reverse chronological order: list your latest educational entry first, and then go backwards from there.

Okay, but how far back should you go? Do you put your high school education in there as well?

Usually, if you have a relevant university degree, its not advisable to waste precious space on your resume by listing your high school education.

Now that weve got all of that out of the way, we can show you a general template of how to write down your education. You list the following features in this particular order:

• Name of degree : e.g. B.A. English Language and Culture, Minor in Teaching*
• Name of educational institution: e.g. University of Groningen
• Years attended: e.g. 2016 – 2019
• Location of the program : e.g. Groningen, the Netherlands
• GPA : e.g. 3,84. Keep in mind, though, that you only list education if its at an impressive scale . This shows determination and hard work on your part. If its lower, you might want to omit it altogether.
• Honors : e.g. Magna Cum Laude
• Courses that are relevant to the job : e.g. Modern Popular Literature track
• Exchange programs : e.g. Exchange Program in Oslo, Norway

* Possible ways to write down the same degree:

The full listing for this educational entry, then, is:

EDUCATION

B.A. English Language and Culture, Minor in Teaching

University of Groningen

Tips On Writing The Education Section Of Your Resume

Before mastering the proper format for an associate’s degree on your resume, you need to learn the basics of a chronological resume. In a chronological resume, you begin with your name and your contact information following this, you enter your educational background and your work experience. When writing the education section, think about how your education will help you in the job that you are applying for. Highlight aspects of your educational background that will assist you in the job that you are applying for. In addition, choose whether to make your education section big or small. Bigger sections are appropriate for students and individuals with little or no work experience. Smaller sections , are appropriate when you want your work experience to stand out. Choose which format is the most appropriate for your situation.

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What Is An Associate Degree Abbreviation

An associate degree abbreviation is a tool individuals use to shorten their associate degree titles. Degree abbreviations can be useful when individuals want to add credentials to their name or display their knowledge and expertise on job applications or resumes. Though some employers might not have a preference in how someone displays their degree, others might prefer that individuals fully write out their degree titles. Before creating a resume, it’s important for candidates to research their potential employers and decide whether they should include the full title of the degree or if they can use an abbreviation.

Some common associate degree abbreviations include:

• Associate of applied business: AAB
• Associate of applied science: AAS
• Associate of general studies: AGS
• Associate of occupational studies: AOS
• Associate of nursing: AN
• Associate of physical therapy: APT

Online Associate Degree Programs

Some online associate degrees require general coursework that transfers into bachelor’s programs. Others have focused curriculums that lead to immediate careers.

At most institutions, online and on-campus programs are taught by the same faculty, but virtual delivery allows students to complete assignments on their own schedules, without visiting campus. This means that distance programs can offer flexibility without sacrificing quality. Online programs may also cost less than in-person options, especially since degree-seekers do not have traveling costs.

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How To Write Academic Degree Titles

Do you know how to correctly write college degree titles?

The landing gear is down on another academic year as students and faculty make their final approach toward the graduation runway. Many soon-to-be newly minted grads are now wading into the sometimes turbulent, often murky, and always anxiety-producing waters of job hunting.

So lets think about how to correctly write academic degree titles on résumés, cover letters, celebration invitations, and LinkedIn profiles. This can be confusing, and in my nearly twenty years in higher educationas a counselor, instructor, administrator, and hiring managerIve seen many resumes and applications where the writer apparently didnt know how to correctly indicate his or her own degree. Stumbling over something so basic may not go over well with prospective employers. It never hurts to get this right.

To make it as simple as possible, Ive put this information in chart form .

NOTE that informal degree titles are NOT CAPITALIZED and that an APOSTROPHE is used in bachelors and masters but not associate.

Examples using bachelors degree:CORRECT:

WRONG:Adam has successfully completed his bachelors of arts in Economics.

REALLY WRONG:Adam has successfully completed his Bachelors of Arts in Economics in Economics.

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Why A Letters Arts And Sciences Degree Online At Penn State

Customize your degree The Associate in Arts in Letters, Arts, and Sciences at Penn State is a multidisciplinary, student-designed major that allows you to use elective courses to enhance your learning experience in business, history, or math.

Immediate results While earning your associate degree online, you can add credentials to your résumé by acquiring a professional certificate. For example, both the Undergraduate Certificate in Organizational Communication and the Undergraduate Certificate in Labor and Human Resources include many of the courses required for the Associate in Arts in Letters, Arts, and Sciences. You can gain credits toward the associate degree while also achieving these notable milestones along the way.

The Penn State Difference In this program, you will have the opportunity to study with highly regarded faculty from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts, one of the premier institutions in the world to study and work in the liberal arts disciplines.

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Where To Position Education On Your Resume

So, should your education or experience come first in your resume?

Think of it this way:

The top third of the resume is reserved for your accomplishments that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

So before you continue, ask yourself: Is your education your most relevant accomplishment?

The answer most of the time will be no. Work experience will be a more important requirement for just about any position above entry-level.

However, education can take priority in some particular cases.

Education comes first if youve just graduated from college and dont have relevant work experience to list. Imagine you are an employer and the first thing you see in someones resume when theyre applying for an entry-level marketing associate position is their summer job as a bodyguard at their local town pool.

Its also wise to list education before work experience if youve recently gotten back to school to get a degree thats relevant to your potential job.

For example, if youre switching to a career in sustainable energy after having finished a related program, but have work experience predominantly in engineering, you would want your new education to be the first thing the hiring manager sees.

Getting a fresh MSc, Ph.D., or MBA is another case where you would want to highlight those degrees more than the work experience.

Not sure if you need a CV or a resume? Check out our guide on CV vs Resume and learn whats the difference between the two .

Tailoring Your Resume For Each Application

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How To List Education On A Resume

At first glance, theres nothing profound or too complicated about listing education on your resume.

You insert all the schools you have ever attended in chronological order, and bam, youre done.

Easy, right?

Well, let me ask a question:

Do you list education before work experience if you are still in school but also have worked a bit?

Not sure?

How about:

Should you still list your GPA next to your education entry when all you did in college was skip classes, drink, and swipe right on Tinder?

Yeah, we know youve got your stuff together now and want to get everything right.

So read on and well answer both those questions and more!

In this guide, were going to teach you:

• High school education

Is An Associate Degree Worth It

If youre considering advancing your education, you might wonder what degree best matches your plans for the future. You have specific skills, career goals and interests. That means there are a number of factors to consider in thinking about whether an associate degree is right for you.

So, how can you tell if it makes sense to pursue an associate degree online? Lets start with the basics.

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How Many Credits Is An Associate Degree

Associate degrees are considered 2-year degrees, though some students move faster or slower depending on what else is going on in their lives and how much time they want to devote to schoolwork. Generally, associate degrees require 60 credits of coursework, which translates to 20 college courses. Thats half the academic requirements of a bachelors degree as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is typically 120 credits during a 4 year period.

For the average U.S. worker, theres a clear benefit to getting a 2-year associate degree. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics , in 2020 workers with an associate degree had median weekly earnings of $938, compared with $781 for people with just a high school diploma. People who have an associate degree vs. a high school diploma were also more likely to be able to find a job.

How To List Minor On Resume

A minor should be listed on your resumeResumeFollow industry guidelines & best practices when submitting your cover letter & resume to a corporate finance job. Download resumes and cover letter templates to be prepared for your job application. These resumes are designed to give you the best shot of being selected for an interview after the major, either on the same line or one line below your major. The key is to ensure clean formatting and easy readability. This guide will provide you with a detailed breakdown of how to list your minor on a resume.

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Degrees Earned At Other Institutions

Except to show multiple degrees earned at Western Michigan University, do not list more than one degree following a person’s name. The following examples are a first reference to a speaker who earned her degrees at another university.

Incorrect: Rebecca McKenzie, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., will…Acceptable: Rebecca McKenzie, Ph.D., will…Preferred: Dr. Rebecca McKenzie will…

Do not mix degrees earned at WMU with degrees earned at other institutions. If Mary Smith earned a B.A. in 1995 from WMU and a Ph.D. in 2008 from the University of Illinois, list her as “Mary Smith, B.A.95,” or as “Mary Smith, Ph.D.” Never include the two-numeral class year construction with degrees earned from other institutions.

How To Choose An Online Associate Degree

Students should consider time requirements when choosing associate degree programs. Learners who want to earn their degrees quickly, for instance, should avoid programs with high credit requirements. Additionally, degree-seekers with hectic schedules should choose asynchronous programs, since synchronous options require set attendance times.

An online associate program should prepare for career goals, and all program costs should not exceed the student’s budget.

Whether students plan to transfer to a bachelor’s program or pursue immediate careers, they can benefit from an associate degree.

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Responses To Capitalization Of Academic Degrees

Are You Ready To Discover Your College Program

Associate degrees are foundational degrees that can help students achieve academic and professional goals in less time than it takes to earn bachelor’s degrees.

An associate degree is often used as a building block toward a bachelor’s. Transfer credits from a two-year associate program can count toward general education, core, and elective classes for the four-year degree. Community colleges, which frequently charge lower tuition than four-year schools, may deliver these associate degrees online.

Associate programs can also qualify students for entry-level careers in fields like healthcare, education, and public service. Preschool teachers, for instance, only need an associate degree. In other fields, an associate degree can mean increased pay and career opportunities, even if the job does not require a degree. Plumbers, for instance, do not need a degree, but companies may prefer applicants with an associate. In 2018, associate graduates earned a median pay rate of $132 more per week than individuals with only a high school diploma.

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Should You List A Degree On A Resume

Yes, you should list a degree on a resume if its relevant to the job youre applying for or is a notable achievement.

Even if your degree isnt relevant, however, listing it on your resume is still beneficial because hiring managers value individuals that possess strong educational backgrounds, so listing your degree can give you a competitive advantage over similarly qualified candidates.

How to properly list a degree on a resume

To properly list a degree on your resume, first include it in your resume education section.

Then, include the following basic information about your degree:

• University name
• Major
• Minor

Additionally, if you lack work experience and want to add extra details about your degree, include the following optional information:

• GPA
• Honors
• Additional activities, such as volunteer work and school clubs

Heres an example of how to list a degree on a resume:

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, MNBachelor of Science in Business Administration / May 2019

• Honors: Cum Laude, GPA 3.9
• University softball club president

If youre applying for a job while youre currently completing a degree, knowing how to list an unfinished degree on a resume is important as it can still be a competitive edge when competing for a job with other applicants.

Identifying Alumni By Class Year Versus Degrees Earned

To identify someone as an alumnus or alumna of WMU, use the person’s preferred class year. Immediately following the name, enter one space, an apostrophe and the two-numeral preferred class year. Both graduate and non-graduate alumni have a preferred class year, and each alumnus and alumna has only one preferred class year, regardless of how many degrees are held.

ExampleMary W. Smith 79 was elected president of the chapter.

To identify degrees earned at WMU, place a comma immediately after the name, and follow it with a space, the degree, an apostrophe, the two-numeral year the degree was awarded, and a comma .

Examples Mary W. Smith, B.A.79, was elected president. Thomas C. Clark, B.A.65, M.A.67, Ph.D.79, attended the reunion.

If your intention is to show degrees earned at WMU, then list both the degrees and the years in which they were earned. If your intention is simply to indicate that the person is an alumnus or alumna, use only the preferred class year.

Correct Thomas C. Clark 65 attended the reunion. Thomas C. Clark, B.A.65, M.A.67, Ph.D.79, attended the reunion.Incorrect Thomas C. Clark 65 67 79 attended the reunion.

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