How to Include Relevant Courses in Your Resume

Introduction

As a current student or recent graduate, you may not have much work experience to include in your resume. However, you can potentially enhance your resume by focusing on relevant courses and other academic projects.

What courses and projects should you include?

Adding relevant courses

When creating your resume, you can add a section titled “Relevant Courses.” In this section, include courses that are directly related to the position you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job as a paralegal, list any classes you took related to law or policy.

Project list

Similarly, if you have completed any research projects related to your future profession, include those as well. If you are applying for a job that involves conducting research, list any intensive research projects you have worked on.

How to add relevant courses to your resume

You’ll likely want to add this information below your undergraduate or graduate details.

Relevant Courses Section

You can format it as one section – for instance, if you are applying for a journalism role:

Relevant Courses: Journalism Ethics, Modern Media Communications, and Forensic Accounting for Journalists

List of Relevant Courses

Or you can choose to format the information as a bullet point list – for example, if you are applying for a marketing role:

Relevant Courses: Brand Development, Communications, and Public Speaking

More options

Finally, you might want to share multiple types of experiences, using more detailed bullet points. Or you may wish to share some descriptive details about the courses you listed if it isn’t clear from the course titles.

Using keywords in descriptions

Including relevant courses in your resume is a good way to integrate keywords. Look for keywords in the job listing and try to include them in this section. For example, if the job requires experience in field research, you might mention “over 30 hours of field research” in the description of your final project. Or you could add “field research methods” as one of the courses you took.

Proofreading and editing

Take the time to thoroughly edit your resume for spelling and grammatical errors. Also, ensure that your font choices and styles are consistent – for example, if you formatted one section heading in bold, all section headings should be bold.

You might arrange a meeting with a counselor at your college’s career services office to have someone else read your resume.

The placement of the education section in your resume

The education section of your resume – which typically includes relevant courses – can be placed at the top or bottom of the document. If this is your strongest experience, or if you believe your educational background will be relevant to hiring managers, be sure to include it appropriately at the top of the document.

Example of a resume focusing on relevant courses

This resume focuses on relevant courses and leadership experiences.

Resume of a student focusing on relevant courses

Hailey Applicant
456 Terrace Oakwood
Any Town, Pennsylvania 99999
(555) 555-555
haileyapplicant@XYZcollege.edu

Research Assistant
Advancing Science and Law through dedicated legal and scientific research

Respected research assistant worked with appointed professors, practicing attorneys, school officials, and business managers to produce research reports on scientific studies and high-profile case laws.

Key skills include:
Computer-assisted research
Organizing research data for comprehensive reports
Analyzing case laws
Working with research teams
Presenting research data

Relevant Legal and Research Courses
XYZ Laboratories, White Plains, New York
Research Assistant (Fall 2020 – Present)
Collaborating with an advisor, research team, and Smith College of Medicine to conduct research on the effects of steroids on activity levels of rats.

Achievements

Note:
Using the computer to gather and analyze data for distribution to the research team.
Presenting new findings in discussions every two months with the department.

Course in Legal Sociology, Department of Sociology, XYZ College, White Plains, New York
Research Intern (Spring 2020)
Researching legal issues related to social policy and the Supreme Court.

Notable Achievements:
Analyzing cases and producing a final paper regarding social policy in court cases.
Presenting findings and conclusions in a final presentation to practicing attorneys.

Education and Credentials
XYZ College, White Plains, New York
Bachelor’s in Government (GPA: 3.9) Awarded Best Student in Government, May 2020

Computer Skills
Microsoft Word • Excel • PowerPoint • LexisNexis • Adobe

Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/student-resume-focusing-on-coursework-example-2063559