Updated September 26, 2026.
In short: list relevant coursework when you are a student or recent graduate and the courses match the job's requirements. Put three to six courses on one line under your degree, headed "Relevant Coursework:", and use the course's real subject name ("Financial Statement Analysis"), not a code ("FIN 3310"). For a major project, add one bullet with what you built or found. Once you have a year or two of relevant work experience, take the coursework off.
When should you put relevant coursework on a resume?
| Situation | Include coursework? |
|---|---|
| Student applying for an internship | Yes |
| Recent graduate with little related experience | Yes |
| Career changer who took courses in the new field | Yes, under education or a "Professional Development" section |
| The job asks for knowledge of specific subjects (accounting, statistics, biology lab methods) | Yes |
| 2+ years of relevant work experience | No — let experience speak |
| The courses are only general requirements (Intro to Psychology for a software role) | No |
How do you list relevant coursework on a resume?
The most common format is one line under the degree:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — University of Arizona — May 2026 Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Systems, Operating Systems, Machine Learning
Other formats:
- Two columns of courses — useful for technical roles with six or more courses, but keep it simple enough for applicant tracking systems to read (plain text, no tables).
- A course plus a project bullet — best when the course produced real work:
- Capstone: Supply Chain Analytics — built a demand forecast for a local food bank that reduced end-of-week waste in its pilot month
The school and project above are illustrations; use your own.
Which courses should you list?
Pick the courses that match words in the job posting. Start with upper-level and elective courses, because introductory courses are assumed for your major. Then:
1.Read the posting's required and preferred qualifications.
2.Mark every course that taught one of them.
3.List the best three to six, most relevant first.
Change the list for each application — a data analyst posting and a software developer posting call for different courses from the same degree.
What does relevant coursework look like for different majors?
These are examples of course names; use the titles on your transcript, simplified if they are cryptic.
- Accounting: Intermediate Accounting I & II, Cost Accounting, Auditing, Federal Income Taxation
- Marketing: Consumer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Marketing Research, Brand Management
- Nursing: Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, Adult Health Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Community Health
- Mechanical engineering: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Machine Design, Heat Transfer, CAD
- Psychology (for HR roles): Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Statistics, Research Methods, Organizational Behavior
- Finance: Corporate Finance, Investments, Financial Modeling, Fixed Income Securities
- Communications: Public Relations Writing, Media Law, Crisis Communication, Digital Storytelling
- Biology (lab roles): Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry Lab, Genetics
Where does relevant coursework go on a resume?
In the education section, directly under the degree and GPA. If your education section sits at the top (typical for students), the coursework is visible early. Don't create a separate top-level section for coursework — it belongs with the degree.
If you are still in school, pair it with an expected graduation date; if you have a minor that adds relevant courses, see how to list a minor. For your grades, see should you put your GPA on your resume.
Can coursework replace work experience?
Not replace, but it can fill the gap for a first job. Course projects can go in a "Projects" or "Academic Projects" section with bullets written like work experience — action, what you did, result. The bullet point rewriter helps turn "wrote a paper about X" into "Analyzed X and recommended Y."
Frequently asked questions
How many courses should I list on my resume?
Three to six. More than that dilutes the relevant ones.
Should I include course numbers?
No. "ACCT 3120" means nothing to an employer; "Cost Accounting" does.
Should I list online courses as relevant coursework?
Put them in a separate "Certifications" or "Professional Development" section rather than under your degree — see how to list certifications on a resume.
Should I include courses I'm currently taking?
Yes, if they're relevant. You can mark them "(in progress)" or just list them — employers understand a current student's coursework is ongoing.
Can I list graduate courses on an undergraduate resume?
Yes, if you took them. Label them clearly, for example "Graduate coursework: Econometrics."