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You know that moment when someone asks "What did you study?" and you launch into a mini-dissertation about how your Economics and Art History double major actually makes perfect sense? That's exactly the energy you need to avoid on your resume.
Your double major represents something genuinely valuable: the ability to synthesize ideas from different worlds and solve problems that single-major graduates might miss entirely.
But here's the kicker - if you can't present it clearly in 30 seconds of resume scanning, all that intellectual versatility becomes background noise in a sea of confused recruiters. Double majors are like having a Swiss Army knife in a world obsessed with specialized tools.
Employers love versatility in theory, but when they're speed-scanning 200 resumes in an hour, your intellectual complexity becomes a formatting nightmare that makes their eyes glaze over.
The trick isn't dumbing down your education; it's presenting it so clearly that even a distracted recruiter can immediately see why your brain works exactly the way their company needs it to.
This guide walks you through the strategic formatting, placement decisions, and psychological tricks that transform your double major from a resume liability into your secret weapon - whether you're a fresh graduate, career changer, or seasoned professional looking to leverage that academic diversity.
Picture a student juggling Shakespearean sonnets in one hand and cognitive-behavioural theory in the other - that’s a double major.
In practical terms, it means you complete the requirements of two distinct fields of study but walk away with one bachelor’s diploma, e.g., “Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology.”
BestColleges puts it succinctly: you satisfy both sets of coursework under a single degree audit.
Think of a dual degree as ordering two separate entrées; a double major is one hearty combo-platter. The comparison below spells it out:
Stanford’s advising office confirms a single diploma for double majors, whereas dual-degree students satisfy separate college requirements for two sheepskins. (Stanford Advising Handbook)
Employers increasingly hire for versatility.
The latest NACE Job Outlook 2025 survey notes that two-thirds of recruiters prioritise cross-functional skill sets. A double major broadcasts exactly that, plus tenacity - finishing extra coursework proves you can hustle.
The Wall Street Journal even likens it to portfolio diversification, cushioning earnings from market shocks.
Quick litmus test before flaunting both majors (does your double major fall under any of these scenarios in context of the job you're applying to?):
Imagine a billboard: the prime real estate is at the top, and for new grads that billboard is your education section. Lead with academic credentials when professional history is still a fledgling hatchling.
Once you’ve clocked three-plus years of relevant wins, recruiters scan work history first.
Try sliding education below experience but still keeping notable double majors succinctly on one line to preserve punch.
Mid-career pivoters need to thread a narrative needle. Lead with the degree combo that bridges old industry to new - say, BA in Journalism and BS in Computer Science - then follow with transferrable accomplishments.
Canada’s federal Job Bank resume guide echoes this approach for sector jumpers.
Formatting quirks travel with passports.
In Australia, longer “CV-style” résumés are common, yet education still tops the page for grads, notes career site Executive Agents.
In the UK, Prospects suggests placing degree details directly beneath contact info for students, while seasoned applicants tuck it after experience.
Let’s build the skeleton first - think Lego instructions, but fewer rogue bricks:
This mirrors guidelines from Purdue OWL’s résumé workshop.
Spell out full titles on first mention - Bachelor of Arts - then abbreviate (BA) later if you’re gasping for space.
Stanford reminds students that double majors still culminate in a single degree type unless you pursued a rare BA/BS hybrid.
Lead with the major your target job cares about most.
Here's an example:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Business Analytics - University of Michigan, May 2025
Reverse the order for a consulting résumé. We'd especially stress on focusing on single-line clarity to avoid the “dual degree” misconception.
Use full university names on first pass - “University of Toronto” over “U of T” - unless brand recognition is universal.
For ongoing programs, tack on “Expected” before the date (e.g., “Expected Aug 2026”).
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ skills guide recommends month-year specificity to help employers map timelines accurately.
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First, plant the flag: where you studied and when you finished (or will finish).
Career offices at both Michigan and Berkeley advise leading with the full university name, city/state, and a clear Month-YYYY graduation date or the word “Expected” for ongoing programs.
This lets recruiters map your academic timeline at a glance.
Next comes the credential itself. Spell out the degree on first mention - Bachelor of Science - then you may shorthand it (BS) later if you’re squeezing lines.
Indeed’s guide reminds us that even if your two majors span STEM and humanities, you still graduate with one degree type unless your school formally awards both. Further, a LinkedIn education-section primer echoes this - “bold the full degree, then continue in reverse chronology.”
Single-line clarity prevents the dreaded “dual-degree” mix-up. Compare:
✅ Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science - Duke University, May 2025
❌ Bachelor of Arts in Economics | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
The first example keeps both majors on one line, as is recommended.
Round out the entry with only value-adding extras:
Think “newest on top.”
Both Monster and Coursera’s education guide stress listing your most recent (often highest) credential first, then stepping back in time.
This mirrors how recruiters scan work history and keeps advanced studies front-and-center.
If all parchment hails from one campus, stack degrees compactly:
University of Washington - Seattle, WA
Master of Science in Data Science, 2024
Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Economics, 2022
Grouping saves space and shows academic progression, a technique endorsed by LinkedIn career coach Andy Lacivita.
Earned degrees at separate schools?
Give each its own mini-block for clarity. Berkeley’s CV guide suggests maintaining identical order - school, location, degree, date - to help ATS (and humans) skim without hiccups.
Here’s a quick reference example for how to combine undergraduate and graduate degrees effectively:
Master of Public Health (MPH), Yale University, 2025
Bachelor of Science in Biology, UCLA, 2023
Juris Doctor, University of Toronto, 2026 (Expected)
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science, Queen’s University, 2022Court-tested by Monster’s education-section template and reinforced by Time Magazine’s career column urging clear program sequencing.
If you pair Computer Science with Business, a tech recruiter wants the CS first - while if you're applying for a consultant role, the order flips.
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Consider this relevance-first listing a “quick fit signal.”
Further, NACE's 2025 survey finds 73% of employers lean on skills alignment over title prestige, making ordering your first optimisation lever.
Same combo, new spin!
Finance loves quantitative evidence, so list Mathematics before Philosophy.
Healthcare hiring managers gravitate toward Biology before Economics.
Monster’s resume playbook recommends tuning degree emphasis just as you would tweak your skills bullets.
In the UK’s tradition-oriented market, stating the degree first (“BA (Hons) History and Law”) feels natural, whereas U.S. résumés often headline the major most relevant to the role.
Australian recruiters, per Berkeley's global résumé webinar, favour pragmatism - brevity wins, so whichever major trims explanation stays up front.
Hot off the commencement stage and itching to impress? Use a lean, education-heavy layout that spotlights your double major up front. Here are two examples that you can refer to on how to incorporate your recent double major graduate degree into your resume:
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology - University of Texas at Austin, May 2025
GPA: 3.7 / 4.0 | Dean’s List (4/6 semesters)
Relevant Coursework: Cognitive Neuroscience, Literary Criticism
EDUCATION
B.S. in Computer Science and Business Analytics, Carnegie Mellon University, Dec 2024
Honors: Sigma Beta Rho | Study Abroad: CMU-Qatar
The one-line major treatment echoes the format shown in Indeed’s 2025 double-major guide.
Five years of work experience in, space is tighter - so compress the degree line and move it beneath experience, as Harvard GSD's résumé tips advise.
Here's an effective example of how to showcase your double major in this scenario:
University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI - B.S.E. Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, 2018
Los Angeles Film School • B.A. Film Production and Marketing, 2016 • GPA 3.8
Channel your double major to bridge old and new industries.
A format like the one below mirrors dual-degree templates in the UGA “Dual Degree” sample but keeps the focus on crossover value:
EDUCATION
M.S. Data Analytics, Northwestern University, 2023
B.A. Economics and Graphic Design, University of Miami, 2019
Here, Economics sells analytical chops for data roles, while Design showcases storytelling flair - perfect for a product-management pivot.
Before recruiters toss your résumé into the digital abyss, make sure you’re not committing one of these resume sins:
Yes, your double major is cool - but two pages of course lists aren’t. Try to cap the education section at five lines once you have solid experience.
Make sure school names, degree titles and dates match your LinkedIn profile verbatim, warns the American College of Healthcare Executives résumé-alignment handout.
In the UK, dropping the “Hons” tag can raise eyebrows, while U.S. recruiters hardly notice it.
LinkedIn career advisors advise adapting titles - “BA (Hons)” for UK, simple “BA” for U.S. - to respect local norms.
Only list coursework if it proves you can hit the ground running - think “Machine Learning” for a data role, not “Intro to Basket Weaving.”
Awards draw the eye, but cluster them under one sub-heading to save space.
Your double major journey doesn't end at graduation - it begins with smart resume strategy. Here's your cheat sheet for turning academic complexity into career clarity:
The difference between a double major that confuses and one that converts lies entirely in presentation. Your diverse academic background represents genuine intellectual horsepower - now you know how to package it for maximum impact.
Ready to transform your education section from confusing to compelling?
Resumonk's AI-powered resume builder empowers you with ready-to-deploy designs and AI suggestions.
Try it now and watch your diverse expertise become your greatest career asset.
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