How do you put an expected graduation date on your resume? It seems like a simple enough question. List the month and year you believe you’ll finish your degree, and include your major. But what if you’re not sure about when you’ll graduate or you’re pursuing a dual degree? Adding this information can show a hiring manager you have the education required — or will soon — but it’s important to format it properly for your situation. Learn when and how to include your anticipated graduation date on your resume in this guide.
Should You Put an Expected Graduation Date on a Resume?
Before you learn how to put an expected graduation date on a resume, first determine if it’s even necessary. Highlighting an expected graduation date makes you more attractive to prospective employers and can help in pursuing internship opportunities.
In general, if you have a realistic idea of when you will complete the degree or are graduating in the next one to two semesters, it’s a good idea to include it. If you’ve only just started your degree and are unsure how many credits you can obtain each semester, you could instead list “September 2020 – Present” on your document.
This advice also applies to licenses and certifications. If a job lists these as required or preferred, showing that you’ve almost obtained them can give you an edge in the job pool — something younger employees with less experience often need.
How To Put Your Expected Graduation Date on Your Resume
1. Determine your expected graduation date
The first step in how to write an expected graduation date on a resume is to determine a realistic date. If you’ve already applied for graduation and you have a specific month, this is easy. And if you’re not sure when you’re going to complete your degree, schedule a consultation with a student advisor at your university.
These counselors have the resources to help you identify your anticipated graduation date and ensure that your degree isn’t delayed due to specific course requirements. To graduate on time, you’ll need to complete your general education requirements in addition to your major. This can take careful planning to manage effectively. For example, if you’re an English major who needs to complete a statistics course, you may want to avoid taking a science course on top of it.
Planning ahead is an important part of success in higher education, so utilize your university’s available resources to create an effective strategy.
2. Calculate your expected graduation date by remaining credits
Calculating your expected graduation date can be complicated, especially if you’re unsure how many credits you’ll realistically complete each semester. One semester may be 12 credits, while another might be 15.
Average how many you’ve completed previously to create a framework for calculating your graduation date. For example, suppose you’ve completed 60 credits and are averaging 15 credits per semester. In that case, you’ll likely hit the 120-credit requirement for graduation within two years and can put that anticipated graduation date on your resume.
3. Start with your degree and major
To format your education section appropriately, feature your degree and major on the first line. Highlight the full name of your university in addition to the city and state below. Depending on your template, you can include the graduation date next to your major or in the line below with the university information. Below, you’ll find two examples of appropriate formatting of how to write an expected graduation date on a resume:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Computer Engineering
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA Expected May 2023
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Philosophy, Expected May 2023
Columbia University, New York, NY
4. Include the expected graduation on the resume but omit the start date
While it’s important to list your expected graduation on your resume, there’s no need to include the month and year that you first enrolled in the university. This is especially important for job seekers who have taken time off from their education and are going back to finish their degrees. Including the start date and the anticipated graduation date draws attention to that it took you longer than expected to finish your education, which won’t enhance your job application.
5. Consider adding coursework to your resume
How to write an expected graduation date on a resume goes beyond just listing the school and dates. Incorporating coursework you’ve completed throughout your academic career in this section can provide more context for prospective employers. This can be especially helpful if you’re pursuing an internship, as you can show prospective employers you have the necessary skill sets to succeed in the position.
Either create a separate section for this information on your resume or include it directly beneath your degree. Below, you’ll find two examples to help you showcase your coursework on your resume:
Information Technology Coursework:
- Intro to System Architecture and Administration
- Python 101
- Introduction to Cloud Technology and Microsoft Azure
- Advanced Database Management and Disaster Recovery
- Advanced Software and Hardware Maintenance
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Philosophy
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA Expected May 2023
GPA: 3.94/4.0
- Introduction to Existentialism
- Postmodernism and Wittengenstein
- The Self in German Idealism
- Nietzsche’s Aesthetics in the Birth of Tragedy
- Simone Weil, Kirkegaard, and Christian Existentialism
6. Feature academic projects
The job market can be tough for new college grads and those about to graduate. One of our best tips on how to write an expected graduation date on a resume is to highlight key achievements and academic projects you worked on while pursuing your degree.
While coursework demonstrates your familiarity with industry concepts, your academic projects show hiring managers examples of you putting these methodologies, technologies, and skills into practice. Below, you’ll find an example of how to feature academic projects on your resume correctly:
Academic Experience
Software Engineering Projects, University of San Francisco, California, CA
May 2018 – present
- Designed a mobile application to support users in monitoring and scheduling appointments through real-time alerts, which included functionality testing, bug fixes, and programming in Python
- Created and developed a fantasy football application using JavaScript to enable users to compare player statistics to determine scoring percentages and trade values
How Long Before Graduation Should You Apply for Jobs?
Begin preparing for the job hunt one semester before your graduation date. If you’re graduating in May, start researching potential opportunities during the fall and tailoring your resume toward those job descriptions.
Employers are often willing to hire students before they graduate, especially if they possess the necessary skills to impact the organization. However, you will need to clearly state your anticipated graduation date on your resume. This lets them identify a potential part-time schedule while you finish your degree. It also helps them create a timeframe for the onboarding process.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Put an Expected Graduation on Your Resume
How often should you update your expected graduation date?-
When you’re learning how to write an expected graduation on a resume, don’t forget to go back and update it as things change. You may learn some courses you took counted for multiple requirements or that you need to take a semester off for personal reasons. It’s a good idea to update your resume’s expected graduation date at the end of every semester.
Should you include your GPA with your expected graduation on a resume?-
Part of how to put an expected graduation on your resume is knowing what information to include and exclude. While it’s fine to list your GPA along with your expected graduation date, it’s also not required. Most employers don’t care what your GPA was, as long as you successfully passed your classes and completed your degree.
Only include your GPA if it’s of benefit to you, which generally means it’s above 3.5. If you’re applying for an internship, a high GPA can set you apart.
After you graduate, it’s best to take your GPA off or replace it with a distinction, such as summa cum laude or magna cum laude.
When should you not include an anticipated graduation date on a resume?-
Including an expected graduation date on your resume can help employers determine if you’re a good fit for the position, but it’s not always necessary. If you’re in your first semester of school or you haven’t yet declared a major, it’s probably best to leave it off. Omitting your graduation date can also be a better idea if your degree is relevant to the position.
In these cases, the employer may think that you’re too busy for a full-time job or that you’re only working at the company to fill time before you graduate and move into your “real” field.
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