How to Include Graduate With Honors on a Resume: A Complete Guide
Graduating with honors is a significant academic achievement that demonstrates intellectual capability, dedication, and strong work ethic. When you’ve earned this distinction, you want to ensure it appears on your resume in a way that maximizes its impact. However, knowing exactly where to place it, how to format it, and when it matters most can be surprisingly nuanced.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about including graduation honors on your resume—from understanding different honor designations to formatting guidelines, strategic placement, and knowing when academic honors carry the most weight.
Understanding Academic Honor Designations
Before discussing how to list honors on your resume, it’s important to understand the different types of academic distinctions and what they signify to employers.
Latin Honors System
The most widely recognized academic honors use Latin terminology. These distinctions are based on cumulative grade point average, though specific requirements vary by institution.
Cum Laude, meaning “with praise,” is typically awarded to the top 25-30% of graduates. The exact GPA requirement varies by school but often falls in the 3.5 range on a 4.0 scale. This honor signifies above-average academic performance.
Magna Cum Laude, meaning “with great praise,” represents the next tier, usually the top 10-15% of graduates. GPA requirements typically fall in the 3.7 range. This distinction indicates excellent academic achievement.
Summa Cum Laude, meaning “with highest praise,” is the highest Latin honor, reserved for the top 1-5% of graduates. GPA requirements are often 3.9 or above. This represents exceptional academic excellence.
Other Honor Designations
Not all schools use Latin honors. Alternative systems include honors, high honors, and highest honors as a straightforward tiered approach. Some schools use distinction or with distinction terminology. Professional schools may use dean’s list cumulative standing or other designations.
Departmental and Program-Specific Honors
Beyond general graduation honors, you may have earned distinctions within your major or program. Departmental honors recognize excellence within a specific discipline. Honors program completion indicates participation in enhanced academic programs. Thesis honors acknowledge distinguished research projects. These distinctions can be listed separately or in combination with general graduation honors.
Where to Place Honors on Your Resume
The placement of academic honors depends on your career stage, the relevance of your education, and your resume’s overall structure.
Primary Location: Education Section
For most candidates, honors appear directly in the education section as part of your degree entry. A standard format includes your degree, major, institution, location, and graduation date or expected date. The honors designation follows naturally after the degree information.
For example, you might write: “Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Magna Cum Laude” followed by “University of California, Berkeley | May 2024” on the next line.
Alternative formats work equally well. You could write your degree and then list honors on a separate line as “Honors: Magna Cum Laude.” You might integrate honors into a fuller description, such as “Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.82 GPA.”
When to Include GPA Alongside Honors
Including your specific GPA alongside honors provides additional context and can strengthen the impression. Include GPA alongside honors when your GPA is 3.5 or above, when you’re a recent graduate (within 3-5 years), when the employer specifically requests GPA, or when your GPA is notably high even within your honor category.
Consider omitting GPA while keeping honors when you’ve been in the workforce several years, when your GPA meets but doesn’t exceed honor thresholds, or when your experience is more relevant than academic metrics.
Secondary Locations for Honors
In some cases, you might reference honors outside the education section. A professional summary can mention academic distinction for recent graduates, such as “Recent magna cum laude graduate seeking entry-level marketing position.” An honors and awards section, if your resume includes one for professional honors, could include academic distinctions alongside career awards.
Formatting Guidelines for Academic Honors
Consistent, professional formatting ensures your honors make a strong impression.
Capitalization Rules
Latin honor terms follow specific capitalization conventions. When used as part of a title following a degree, capitalize them: “Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude.” When used in running text, lowercase is often used: “She graduated cum laude.” For resume consistency, capitalizing honors as part of degree entries is most common and acceptable.
Italics Considerations
Latin terms are sometimes italicized as foreign phrases, though this convention varies. Either approach is acceptable on resumes—consistency matters more than the specific choice. Many resume templates keep honors in regular text for clarity and simplicity.
Spelling and Terminology
Ensure you use the exact terminology your institution uses. Some schools use “With Honors” rather than Latin terms. Check your transcript or diploma for official wording. Consistent spelling matters—“Cum Laude” not “Cum Laude” or “Cumlaude.”
Combining Multiple Honors
If you earned multiple distinctions, you can combine them efficiently. For example: “Bachelor of Science in Biology, Summa Cum Laude, Departmental Honors” or “BA in English, Magna Cum Laude | Dean’s List All Semesters | Honors Thesis.”
When Academic Honors Matter Most
The impact of graduation honors varies depending on career stage, industry, and specific roles.
Recent Graduates
For candidates within 1-3 years of graduation, academic honors carry significant weight. With limited professional experience, academic performance provides important signals about capability, work ethic, and intelligence. Employers hiring entry-level candidates often use academic achievement as a differentiator among otherwise similar candidates.
At this stage, prominently display your honors, consider including GPA alongside the distinction, and position education prominently if it’s your strongest qualification.
Early Career (3-7 Years Out)
As you accumulate professional experience, academic honors remain relevant but become less central. Your work accomplishments increasingly define your candidacy. At this stage, continue to include honors in your education section, but your professional experience section should take prominence.
You might choose to drop GPA even while keeping the honor designation. If space is tight, honors are more important to retain than other academic details.
Mid-Career and Beyond
After 7-10 years of professional experience, academic honors become background information rather than key qualifications. Employers focus primarily on professional accomplishments. At this stage, you can retain the brief honor mention with your degree—“MBA, With Distinction”—but don’t expect it to significantly influence hiring decisions.
Some candidates eventually remove academic honors from resumes entirely, keeping only the degree information. This is a reasonable choice for experienced professionals.
Industry Considerations
Certain industries place greater emphasis on academic credentials. Consulting and finance often weigh academic performance heavily, even for experienced hires. Law and medicine continue to value educational distinctions throughout careers. Academia and research maintain emphasis on scholarly achievement. Tech and startup environments may place less weight on academic honors compared to demonstrated skills and experience.
Understand your target industry’s norms when deciding how prominently to feature academic honors.
Examples of Resume Entries With Honors
Seeing concrete examples helps illustrate effective formatting. Here are various approaches depending on your situation.
Simple, Standard Format
This approach works for most situations:
Education Bachelor of Science in Finance, Cum Laude State University, Anytown, ST | May 2023
With GPA Included
For recent graduates with strong GPAs:
Education Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | May 2024 GPA: 3.78/4.0
With Additional Academic Honors
When you have multiple distinctions:
Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Summa Cum Laude MIT, Cambridge, MA | May 2023 Departmental Honors | Dean’s List All Semesters | Senior Thesis Award
Graduate Degree Format
For advanced degrees with honors:
Education Master of Business Administration, With Distinction Harvard Business School, Boston, MA | May 2024
Bachelor of Science in Economics, Magna Cum Laude University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA | May 2019
Multiple Degrees
When listing several degrees:
Education JD, Cum Laude | Yale Law School | 2023 BA in Political Science, Phi Beta Kappa | UCLA | 2020
Additional Academic Achievements to Consider
Beyond graduation honors, other academic achievements may warrant resume inclusion.
Dean’s List
Regular dean’s list recognition demonstrates consistent academic excellence. Format options include listing specific semesters such as “Dean’s List: Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023” or noting cumulative recognition like “Dean’s List All Semesters” or “Dean’s List (6 of 8 semesters).”
Phi Beta Kappa and Honor Societies
Membership in prestigious academic honor societies signals exceptional achievement. Phi Beta Kappa is among the most recognized and selective. Include in education section or a dedicated honors section. Format example: “Phi Beta Kappa | Golden Key International Honor Society.”
Academic Scholarships and Fellowships
Merit-based scholarships demonstrate recognized academic excellence. Include significant scholarships, especially if named or competitive. Format example: “Recipient, Presidential Scholarship (full tuition merit award).”
Research Honors and Thesis Distinctions
For candidates pursuing research-oriented careers, thesis honors are particularly relevant. Format example: “Honors Thesis: ‘Market Dynamics in Emerging Economies’ | Awarded Highest Distinction.”
Awards and Recognitions
Subject-specific awards can complement graduation honors. Examples include best senior project in the department, undergraduate research awards, or subject-specific prizes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Several pitfalls can undermine the positive impact of academic honors on your resume.
Overemphasizing Old Achievements
If you graduated a decade ago, don’t let academic honors overshadow recent professional accomplishments. Your work experience should take center stage, with education becoming increasingly brief.
Misrepresenting Honors
Never claim honors you didn’t earn or upgrade your distinction level. Misrepresentation can be discovered through background checks and will immediately disqualify you.
Inconsistent Formatting
If you list multiple degrees, format honors consistently across all entries. Inconsistency looks careless and unprofessional.
Cluttering With Minor Distinctions
Be selective about which academic achievements to include. A single semester on the dean’s list among several that weren’t may not warrant mention. Focus on distinctions that genuinely differentiate you.
Wrong Terminology
Use the exact terminology from your institution. If your school awards “Honors” rather than “Cum Laude,” use their language. Incorrect terminology raises credibility questions.
Honors on Resumes vs. Other Application Materials
Your resume isn’t the only place academic honors appear. Understanding how they function across application materials helps you present them consistently.
LinkedIn Profiles
Include honors in your LinkedIn education section. The format can be similar to your resume, adding the distinction to your degree listing. Resources like 0portfolio.com can help ensure consistency across your resume and online profiles.
Cover Letters
For recent graduates, briefly referencing academic honors in cover letters can reinforce your qualifications. You might write: “As a magna cum laude graduate with research experience in molecular biology…” However, don’t over-emphasize academic credentials in cover letters for experienced roles.
Application Forms
Some employers specifically ask about academic honors in application forms. Answer accurately, using official terminology from your transcript.
Transcripts and Verification
Employers may verify academic credentials, including honors, through transcript review or background checks. Ensure your resume claims match your official academic record exactly.
International Considerations
Academic honor systems vary globally. When applying internationally or with international credentials, some adaptations may help.
Translating Non-US Systems
If your degree comes from a country with different honor classifications, consider providing context. UK degrees use First Class Honours, Upper Second Class, Lower Second Class, and Third Class. Some countries use numerical rankings or percentile standings. Consider adding brief explanations such as “First Class Honours (equivalent to top 10% of graduates).”
US Terms for International Applications
If applying in the US with international credentials, research how your honors translate to US terminology, or simply use your original designation with brief context.
Conclusion: Making Your Academic Achievement Count
Graduating with honors is an achievement worth showcasing on your resume—but like all resume elements, it needs to be presented strategically. Place it clearly in your education section, format it consistently and professionally, and understand how its importance varies with your career stage and target industry.
For recent graduates, academic honors can be a significant differentiator, signaling capability and dedication to potential employers. As your career progresses, honors become supporting details rather than central qualifications, eventually serving as brief historical notes that add credibility to your educational credentials.
However you present your academic honors, ensure accuracy and consistency across all your application materials. Your graduation distinction earned through years of hard work deserves to be represented clearly and professionally on your resume—helping you make the strong impression you’ve worked hard to achieve.
