How to List Relevant Coursework on a Resume + Examples

“Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame”. “The Physics of Star Trek”. “South Park and Contemporary Social Issues”. Yes, those are real college courses, but if you’re one of the people who took one, do you really need to list it on your resume? Probably not. 

Adding relevant 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.
• Expert tips and advice for including related classwork on a resume most effectively.
• Guidelines for where to put relevant coursework on a resume academic section.

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

Create your resume now

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Create your resume now

Are you looking for specific resume examples related to academia careers? Have a look at these guides:

• Academic CV Template
• College Graduate Resume
• High School Resume for College Application
• PhD Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Resume for Graduate School
• Resume with No Experience
• Scholarship Resume Examples
• Student Resume Examples

Or, if you want, check out our full guide on including education on a resume: How to List Education on Resumes

Our review of more than 500,000 resumes built with our tool revealed that*:

- 29.73% of our users include certifications on their resumes.
- 12.84% of our users report having 3–5 years of work experience.
- The most frequently highlighted skills are Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Multitasking.
- On average, it takes just 21.3 minutes to create a resume using ResumeLab. 
* The data comes from the last 12 months (August 2023-August 2024).

1. What Is the Meaning of "Relevant Coursework"?

Relevant coursework consists of courses taken during your school or college studies that are related to the position you are applying for. It can be included in the education section of your resume, with the purpose of showcasing knowledge relevant to the job.

Before we dive in with the why, the what, and the how regarding relevant coursework resume sections, let’s take a look at a few examples:

1. Relevant Coursework on Resume Example—Administrative Assistant 

As you can see, this comma-separated list focuses on classes you’ve taken that office managers love to see on an admin assistant resume.

It’s short, to the point, and gives them only relevant information.

2. Relevant Coursework Resume Example—High School Graduate Seeking Customer Service Job

You may not have any college under your belt yet, but don’t worry. You probably still have taken classes in high school appropriate for the career or job you’re applying for.

3. Relevant Coursework Resume Sample—Elementary Teacher 

Here, we use a bullet-point list to add classes to a teaching resume rather than a comma-separated list.

This format helps to guide the reader’s eyes, allowing you to focus on fewer, but more impactful, courses on a resume.

4. Related Coursework on a Resume for IT Jobs

This is a third format, an extension of the previous one, essentially. This resume relevant coursework approach is perfect for when you want to show off three or four super-relevant courses.

It’s also great for explaining to hiring managers how a particular course may be relevant to them, as university classes today may have names which don’t reflect the entirety of the subject matter.

5. Example of Listing Courses on a Food Service Resume

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 aren’t relevant (most likely) to the job, so leave them off.

6. Sample of Putting Related Courses on a Graphic Design Resume

7. Example of Placing Relevant Classes on a Management Resume

8. BAD Example of a Related Coursework Resume Section—Healthcare Jobs 

Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management

East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Graduation: 2013

Coursework: Mathematics, Kinesiology, Social Science, Human Resource Management for Health Care Organizations, 19th Century English Literature, Introduction to Art History, Marketing and Advertising Fundamentals, Healthcare Administration Services.

See what’s wrong here? This one does list some relevant classes for a healthcare job. However, those get drowned out by irrelevant courses.

Remember—If it doesn’t help you secure your new career, leave it off your resume.

Expert Hint: Listing relevant coursework on resumes is one way to show advanced understanding and impress the employer. However, also consider showing off any Latin honors, cum laude on a resume, or your thesis topic, for example.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.

2. How to List Relevant Coursework on Resumes?

You’ve decided to include a related college class or course on your resume. But, where should you put relevant coursework on a resume? 

When adding related classwork onto a resume, make a subsection at the end of the appropriate education entry. Place it below the degree, school name and location, and date of completion or estimated date of graduation. Use bullet points, or separate each course with a comma to save space.

And how to write it down?

Here are a few ways for how to put relevant coursework on resumes:

Though education is important, I’d 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 resume. Include what is most relevant and keep descriptions clear and to the point.

If the college coursework you’re thinking of writing isn’t relevant to the job you’re applying for, leave it off!

3. What Are the Benefits of Adding Relevant Coursework on Resumes?

Adding related coursework on resumes is optional. However, it is a strategic choice which may help your chances, if done right. So, should you include relevant coursework on a resume?

Add a resume coursework subsection when:

• You’re writing a resume with little experience;
• You have coursework relevant to the job to which you’re applying.
• The job places a high value on educational accomplishments (e.g., student resumes, internship resumes).

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

As for the benefits of addicng relevant coursework to your resume, it can:

• Showcase Relevant Knowledge: Including specific courses can highlight your expertise and knowledge in areas directly related to the job.
• Highlight Academic Achievements: Emphasizing challenging or advanced courses can demonstrate your dedication and aptitude for learning.
• Align with Job Requirements: Tailoring your coursework to match the job description can make your resume more attractive to employers by showing you meet their educational criteria.

Incorporating relevant coursework into your resume can make a significant difference, especially when you lack extensive work experience or are applying for roles that prioritize educational background.

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

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

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Here’s how to write relevant coursework on resumes:

• Decide first if adding coursework on a resume is ideal for you; include related classes if relevant to the job and you have little professional experience.
• Create a subsection under the education entry on your resume with a clearly-labeled subheading, such as “Related Coursework.”
• Add a few of the most relevant courses, classes, and lectures which make sense for the job you’re applying to.
• Consider including other impressive academic subsections, such as school awards, Latin honors, or publications.

Have any questions on how to list coursework on resumes or if putting classes on resumes is the best idea? Need more resume education section examples? Let’s chat below in the comment area, and thanks for reading!

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.