If you are new to the workforce, you might feel like your resume is a bit light on work experience. But don’t worry—there’s a way to make it stand out.
Highlighting relevant coursework on your resume can show employers that you’ve gained valuable knowledge and skills during your studies that apply directly to the job you’re after.
In this article, you’ll learn why including relevant coursework can boost your resume, how to choose which college classes to feature, and the best ways to present them.
What is Relevant College Coursework or Certifications on a Resume?
A resume featuring relevant coursework and certifications will include the courses you took at school or college alongside the academic experiences that actually apply to the job position.
The education section is the best place in a resume for your courses and certifications.
However, it’s a good idea, if you’re a recent college graduate, to add a relevant coursework section within your education section to help it stand out more.
The subjects and projects listed must be relevant to the job you are applying for.
Examples of relevant coursework
If you are applying for a Data Analyst role, you should highlight coursework on Data Visualization Techniques from your Mathematics degree or Introduction to Python for Data Science from your IT degree.
If you want to work in marketing and studied Consumer Behavior for one trimester of your Business degree, you should list that on your resume.
A resume with relevant coursework targets the skills vital for the target job and avoids stuffing the resume with unnecessary information.
The best approach to listing courses on resumes is to include projects and courses from your educational experience that would prove beneficial in the role you are presenting yourself for.
When To Include and Exclude Relevant Coursework.
Some instances when you should include your relevant coursework on your resume are:
- If you are a recent graduate lacking work experience. Employers always want to see evidence of your core competencies, which can be conveyed via your coursework projects.
- A change of career: If you have experience, you don’t need to focus on your coursework, but if you completed an internship related to your new field, it could be useful.
Our AI resume builder can help you add relevant coursework easily to highlight your professional potential with the help of instant suggestions.
It can choose the courses you studied that match well with the role you are applying for. What’s more, it can give you tips on how to describe it in an impactful way.
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: Unless you have a crucial certification for the job, listing all your relative coursework may be too much.
- Outdated coursework: If you graduated over 10 years ago, your curriculum may be outdated. So, it could be better to leave outdated coursework off the resume altogether.
- Not relevant to the position: If the coursework has nothing in common with the job you are going for, there’s no benefit in mentioning it.
How to List Relevant Coursework
Depending on your field and the job you’re applying for, there are several ways to present coursework effectively.
Below are some strategies and examples to help you make the most of your Education section.
Relevant coursework examples by industry
Tailoring your resume to the industry you’re targeting is very important. So you need to make sure your coursework is tailored to fit the job description.
Here are some examples of coursework for in-demand fields, along with the skills they illustrate:
- Tech roles
- Data Structures, Object-Oriented Programming, Database Management, Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- Skills: Coding proficiency, problem-solving, software development.
Education
[Degree/Qualification title]
[College or Institution]
[Dates]
- Relevant coursework
- Object-Oriented Programming — Developed problem-solving skills through hands-on projects using Python and Java, creating foundational software applications that solve real-world challenges.
- Design roles
- Visual Communication, User Interface Design, Typography, Adobe Creative Suite Mastery
- Skills: Design thinking, proficiency with design tools.
Education
[Degree/Qualification title]
[College or Institution]
[Dates]
- Relevant coursework
- User Interface Design — Gained expertise in Figma and Adobe XD, designing intuitive interfaces for mock e-commerce sites with a focus on accessibility and user experience.
- Marketing roles
- Digital Marketing Analytics, SEO Strategy, Consumer Psychology, Content Creation and Strategy
- Skills: Data analysis, content strategy.
Education
[Degree/Qualification title]
[College or Institution]
[Dates]
- Relevant coursework
- Digital Marketing Analytics — Analyzed consumer data for real-world marketing campaigns, using Google Analytics to track and report on campaign effectiveness and user behavior trends.
Detail your coursework entries
To make your coursework stand out, include concise details about what you learned or achieved in each course. This adds depth to your resume and shows employers how your academic experiences translate into practical skills.
For example, instead of just listing “Intro to Marketing”, try: “Intro to Marketing: Applied competitive analysis techniques using market research tools to understand consumer behavior.”
This approach turns simple course titles into concrete evidence of your abilities.
How to describe coursework for impact
To make coursework entries stand out, detail any tools, technologies, or methodologies you applied, and if you can quantify your achievements, even better!
This is especially important because 75% of resumes are rejected by applicant tracking systems (ATS), meaning only a quarter get seen by human eyes.
Including specific keywords and relevant college courses can help ensure your resume gets noticed by both ATS and recruiters.
For instance:
Example tech coursework
Database Management — Used SQL to design relational databases for real-world business scenarios, improving data retrieval efficiency by 30%.
Example design coursework
Typography — Mastered typography principles by creating visually appealing layouts for print and digital media, enhancing readability and brand identity.
Adding this level of detail helps employers see exactly how you can contribute to their team.
Unique coursework for specific job roles
Certain courses may not seem immediately relevant but can be highly valuable depending on the role.
Consider including these if they align with the job you’re applying for:
Example of software development roles
Algorithms and Complexity Theory — Demonstrated ability to optimize code performance through algorithmic problem-solving.
Example of content creation roles
Creative Writing Workshop — Developed storytelling techniques and honed writing skills through peer-reviewed projects.
By highlighting unique coursework, you can feature additional strengths that might set you apart from other candidates.
Formatting for Listing Relevant Coursework
Depending on how much space you have and how detailed you want to be, there are different formats for listing coursework on your resume.
Single-Column Format
This resume format is simple and works well if you want to list courses in a straightforward way.
Education
[Degree/Qualification title]
[College or Institution]
[Dates]
- Relevant coursework
- Learning and Cognition
- Cognitive Linguistics
- Social Psychology
- Psychology of Emotion
Detailed Format
For a more comprehensive approach, include specific details about what you learned or achieved in each course. This format is closer to how you should describe work experience.
Education
[Degree/Qualification title]
[College or Institution]
[Dates]
- Relevant coursework
- Global Marketing Techniques: Gained insight into B2B marketing strategies, social media campaigns, public relations, and content creation. Applied these concepts in group projects that analyzed international market trends.
- Public Relations: Built contacts with editors, wrote press releases, and pitched article topics. Led public relations campaigns that improved brand visibility by 20%.
This detailed format allows potential employers to see exactly how your academic experiences align with their needs.
By choosing the right format and adding relevant details about your coursework, you can turn your academic achievements into a powerful tool that enhances your resume’s impact.
Coursework on a Resume: Conclusion
Including relevant coursework on your resume can help present the value you bring to potential employers, especially as a career beginner.
Be strategic—align your coursework to the job description and position it where it will make the most impact.
Use our AI-powered resume builder for tailored advice and remember that the details you choose to include are just as important as what you leave out.
A well-crafted resume can be your beacon to attract recruiters, and highlighting relevant coursework could be the spark that launches your career.
FAQs
To describe relevant coursework on your resume, list courses and certifications that directly relate to the job you’re applying for. You can include these under your education section or in a dedicated “Relevant Coursework” section.
Use bullet points to make them stand out and, if space allows, briefly explain how each course gave you skills or knowledge applicable to the job. Focus on practical projects, research, or hands-on experience that shows your readiness for the role.
You should remove courses from your resume when you have gained enough professional experience to fill the space with work accomplishments. Typically, this happens a year or two after graduation.
If your work experience becomes more relevant to the job than your coursework, it’s time to prioritize that instead. However, if you’re switching careers and lack direct experience in the new field, keeping relevant college courses may still be beneficial.
A brief summary of relevant college coursework and certifications includes a short list of 3-5 courses that directly align with the job you’re applying for. These courses should highlight key skills or knowledge areas required for the position.
For example, you might list courses like “Data Analysis” or “Business Communications” under your degree in the education section, using bullet points or commas to separate them. This helps demonstrate your academic preparation for the role.
Yes, you can list classes and relevant certifications you are currently taking on your resume, especially if they are relevant to the job you’re applying for. To make it clear that these courses are in progress, include a note such as “In Progress” or the expected completion date next to each class.
This shows employers that you’re actively gaining knowledge and skills that may benefit the role, demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning.
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