Quick Answer
List your double major on a single line directly beneath your degree and university name. Connect the two fields with “and” or an ampersand (&). This format is clean, ATS-friendly, and standard.
- Standard Format: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology & English Literature
- For Emphasis: If both majors are critical to a specific job, you can list them on separate lines.
- Key Rule: Always use the official names of your majors as they appear on your transcript.
You earned two fields of study. Don’t let a cluttered format bury that achievement. The challenge isn’t proving you did the work—it’s presenting it so a recruiter grasps your background in under five seconds. A messy education section creates unnecessary friction. A clean one makes your dual expertise an immediate asset.
The goal is strategic presentation. This isn’t about hiding one major; it’s about framing both to serve your career goal. We’ll give you a simple decision framework to choose the right format for your double major on your resume. You’ll see exact examples you can adapt, from standard cases to more complex scenarios. This guide turns a formatting puzzle into a clear advantage.
In This Article
- The Quick Answer: How to Format a Double Major on Your Resume
- When to List Your Majors Separately (And When Not To)
- Double Major Resume Examples for Different Scenarios
- Common Mistakes to Avoid With a Double Major on Your Resume
- Tailoring Your Double Major for Different Industries
- The Double Major ‘Check’ Before You Finalize
- Common Questions About Listing Double Majors
The Quick Answer: How to Format a Double Major on Your Resume
For most situations, there is one clean, professional way to do it. Place both majors on a single line under your degree. This method is efficient and universally understood by both human recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Here is the standard structure. First, you list your degree and university. Directly below that, you state your majors, connected by “and” or ”&”.
University of State Bachelor of Science, Marketing and Data Analytics
This format works because it’s scannable. The eye naturally groups the two fields together under your degree. Using the ampersand (&) is slightly more modern and space-efficient, but “and” is perfectly acceptable. The key is consistency.
Place this information in your resume’s education section, typically after your work experience for early-career professionals. The double major line should sit between your degree/university line and any other details like GPA or relevant coursework.
Avoid adding extra labels like “Major:” or “Double Major:”. The formatting itself makes it clear. Your transcript is the proof; the resume is the headline.
When to List Your Majors Separately (And When Not To)
Listing your majors on separate lines is a strategic choice, not the default. Use it for emphasis when both fields are directly relevant to the job you want.
Here’s your decision framework.
Use separate lines when: Both majors are equally critical for the role. Imagine applying for a “Computational Linguist” position with majors in Computer Science and Linguistics. Listing them separately makes each core competency impossible to miss. It signals deep, targeted expertise.
Combine them on one line when: One major is highly relevant, and the other is not. If you’re applying for a marketing role with a Marketing major and a Philosophy major, combine them. The Philosophy major shows intellectual range, but listing it separately could distract from your direct qualifications. The combined line presents a complete picture without creating clutter.
Use your official degree name if it includes both: Some universities confer a single degree with a combined title, like “Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Political Science.” If that’s what’s on your diploma, use that exact phrasing as your degree line. You don’t need to add a separate “majors” line.
The warning: Don’t create extra lines just to fill space. Every element on your resume should pull its weight. If a detail doesn’t strengthen your candidacy for this specific role, streamline it.
Double Major Resume Examples for Different Scenarios
Seeing the format in context makes it click. Here are concrete examples for different situations.
Example 1: The Standard Combined Format This works for the vast majority of cases. It’s clean, professional, and gets the information across quickly.
University of California, Berkeley Bachelor of Arts, Economics & Political Science Graduated May 2025 | GPA: 3.7
Example 2: Separate Lines for Two Relevant Majors Use this when you need to highlight dual expertise for a targeted application.
Georgia Institute of Technology Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering Bachelor of Science, Computer Science Dean’s List | Relevant Coursework: Operations Research, Machine Learning
Example 3: When One Major is Actually a Minor or Concentration Clarity is key. Don’t let a reader guess the hierarchy of your credentials.
New York University Bachelor of Science, Business Concentration in Data Analytics, Minor in Psychology
Example 4: Double Major with a Minor Manage multiple credentials by grouping the majors and listing the minor separately.
University of Michigan Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience & Biology Minor in Chemistry | Research Assistant, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
Common Mistakes to Avoid With a Double Major on Your Resume
Even smart candidates make simple errors. Here are the most frequent pitfalls.
Using informal names. Never abbreviate or use a casual name for your major. Always use the official title from your transcript. For example, write “Computer Science,” not “CS.”
Burying the lead. If your double major is your strongest qualification as a new graduate, place the education section above your work experience. Let your academic achievement make the first impression.
Creating confusion. If you list two separate degrees (like a B.A. and a B.S.), make the distinction clear with proper formatting. Don’t make a recruiter guess if it’s one degree or two.
Ignoring keywords. Scan the job description. If it mentions specific fields related to your majors, ensure those exact words appear in your education listing. This helps with both ATS and human readers.
Tailoring Your Double Major for Different Industries
Your presentation can shift slightly based on the field you’re targeting.
For creative or liberal arts roles: You might have more flexibility. A combined line showing range can be a strength. The key is to connect your majors to the job’s needs in your summary or cover letter.
For technical or STEM fields: Precision is paramount. Use separate lines if both majors are technical and relevant. Include relevant coursework or lab experience directly under the majors to reinforce your hands-on skills.
For business or finance roles: Lead with the most quantitative or business-related major. Use the combined format for efficiency, but be ready to explain how your second major provides a unique perspective in an interview.
The Double Major ‘Check’ Before You Finalize
Run this four-point check before you send your resume. It takes two minutes and prevents small formatting errors.
Accuracy Check. Verify every character of your degree title and major names against your official transcript. A missed hyphen or incorrect capitalization undermines your attention to detail.
Relevance Check. Scan your education block from a recruiter’s perspective. If you’re applying for a data science role, does “Statistics” appear before “Philosophy”? The order should serve the job.
Clarity Check. Show your resume to a friend for five seconds. Ask them to tell you what you studied. If they stumble, your formatting is too cluttered. The goal is instant comprehension.
Space Check. Evaluate your education section’s footprint. For a senior professional, it should be tight—two to three lines max. For a new grad, it might expand slightly, but never at the expense of your experience section.
Common Questions About Listing Double Majors
Should I list my double major if my GPA is low? Yes, you should still list it. If your overall GPA is below 3.0, omit it. If one major has a higher GPA, you could list a major-specific GPA next to that major alone.
Which major should I list first on my resume? List the major most relevant to the job first. If both are equally relevant, list the one with a higher GPA or more advanced coursework.
What if my two majors are from different degree types (e.g., a B.A. and a B.S.)? Clarify the degree type. Format it to show two distinct degrees: “Bachelor of Arts, Psychology | Bachelor of Science, Biology.”
How do I list a double major if my school lists it as a ‘double degree’? Use your school’s official terminology. A “double degree” often means two separate programs. List them as two distinct degrees.
Is it better to combine my majors or list them on separate lines? Use separate lines if you need space for details like a high GPA or key coursework. For most, the combined format is cleaner and more space-efficient.
Does a double major make my resume look unfocused? Not if you frame it correctly. Tailor your presentation to the job. Highlight how the combination gives you a unique, valuable skill set.
Checklist
- Verify official degree titles and major names against your transcript.
- Order your majors with the most job-relevant one first.
- Test for 5-second clarity with a friend.
- Decide on a combined or separate-line format based on space and need for detail.
- Ensure the entire block fits neatly within your resume’s education section.
Your double major is proof you can handle complexity and sustained effort. The right formatting doesn’t just list that fact—it demonstrates it. By presenting your academic path with clarity and strategic intent, you show the hiring manager you understand how to communicate value. Take the extra minute to get it right. Your next application should lead with that polished, powerful credential.