How to List a Double Major on a Resume With Free teMPLATES

A double major can set a resume apart in a crowded applicant pool. But listing it incorrectly can confuse recruiters and hurt an application before it even reaches human eyes.

This guide covers exactly how to format a double major on a resume, when to include it, how to order your majors strategically, and how to make sure applicant tracking systems read it correctly. Real resume examples are included throughout for students, recent graduates, and working professionals.

What Is a Double Major?

A double major means completing the academic requirements for two fields of study within a single undergraduate degree program. Instead of earning two separate diplomas, you receive one degree that reflects expertise in both majors after fulfilling the required coursework, credits, and graduation criteria for each discipline.

For example, a student may graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry or a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Economics. Although two majors are completed, only one bachelor’s degree is awarded.

Understanding this distinction is important when creating your resume because your education should be presented as one degree with two majors, not as two separate degrees.

How Is a Double Major Different From a Dual Degree?

Many job seekers confuse a double major with a dual degree, but they represent different academic achievements.

A double major involves completing two majors under a single degree program, while a dual degree means earning two distinct degrees, often from different colleges, schools, or academic departments.

According to the Michigan Technological University Registrar, a double major results in one bachelor’s degree with two majors, and students receive one diploma listing both majors. This differs from a dual degree, where separate academic programs lead to two distinct degrees and diplomas. 

Double Major

• Earns one bachelor’s degree
• Receives one diploma
• Appears as one education entry on a resume
• Example: Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry
• Typically completed within the standard four-year undergraduate timeline

Dual Degree

• Earns two separate degrees
• Receives two diplomas
• Should be listed as two separate education entries on a resume
• Example: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Bachelor of Arts in English
• Often requires additional coursework and may take five or more years to complete

Why the Difference Matters on Your Resume

Presenting your education accurately helps recruiters and applicant tracking systems interpret your qualifications correctly. One of the most common resume mistakes is listing a double major as two separate bachelor’s degrees. This formatting can appear misleading, make your education section look inflated, and potentially create inconsistencies when parsed by ATS software.

Listing your double major as one degree with both majors clearly identified ensures your resume remains professional, transparent, and easy for both recruiters and automated systems to understand.

How to List a Double Major on a Resume Step by Step

Listing a double major correctly makes your education section easier for recruiters and applicant tracking systems to understand. Follow these simple steps to present your academic qualifications clearly and professionally.

Step 1: Place the Education Section Correctly

The placement of your education section depends on your experience level.

If you are a student or recent graduate, place it near the top of your resume below your summary or objective. If you have several years of work experience, position it after your professional experience section.

Step 2: List One Degree, Not Two

A double major is one degree, so it should appear as a single education entry.

Incorrect

Bachelor of Science in Biology

University of Texas at Austin | 2023

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

University of Texas at Austin | 2023

Correct

Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry

University of Texas at Austin | May 2023

Step 3: Put the Most Relevant Major First

List the major that best matches the job you’re applying for. This can make your resume more relevant to recruiters and improve keyword matching in applicant tracking systems.

For example, if you’re applying for a data science role, list Mathematics and English. For a content strategy position, list English and Mathematics instead to emphasize the qualification that is most relevant to the role.

Step 4: Include Your Graduation Date

Always include your graduation date to provide complete education details.

Recent graduates can list the month and year (for example, May 2024) to highlight the recency of their education. If you have several years of work experience, listing just the year (for example, 2024) is usually sufficient. Whichever format you choose, use it consistently throughout your resume. If you’re still studying, write Expected May 2027.

Step 5: Add GPA, Honors, or Coursework Only When Relevant

Include extra academic details only if they strengthen your application.

You can add:

• GPA if it is strong and relevant
• Latin honors such as Cum Laude or Magna Cum Laude
• Relevant coursework if you are a recent graduate applying for a specialized role

For experienced professionals, work achievements usually carry more weight than coursework or GPA. Using an AI free resume builder with customizable resume templates can help you prioritize the most relevant information, creating a concise, ATS-friendly resume that is easy for hiring managers to scan. 

Resume Examples for Listing a Double Major

This section shows exactly how a double major should appear on a resume in different real world scenarios. Each format is ATS friendly, clean, and easy for recruiters to scan quickly.

Recent Graduate Example

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics
University of Texas at Austin
May 2025
GPA: 3.7
Dean’s List

This format works best for entry level candidates because it highlights academic performance while keeping the education section structured and easy to scan.

Experienced Professional Example

Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics
University of Michigan
2018

For experienced professionals, the education section stays minimal. The focus remains on work experience, while the double major provides supporting academic credibility.

Industry Specific Example (Computer Science and Data Roles)

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science
Arizona State University
May 2024
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Linear Algebra, Machine Learning

This format is effective for technical roles where coursework and analytical subjects directly align with job requirements.

Industry Specific Example (Marketing and Business Roles)

Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Psychology
University of Florida
May 2023
Relevant Coursework: Consumer Behavior, Branding, Digital Strategy

This combination is especially useful for roles in marketing strategy, consumer insights, and brand development, where psychology and marketing overlap.

ATS Friendly Standard Format Example

Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry
University of California, Los Angeles
2022

This clean format avoids tables, icons, and decorative elements, ensuring smooth parsing by applicant tracking systems and maximum readability for recruiters.

ATS Tips for Listing a Double Major

Applicant tracking systems screen resumes before any human sees them. Most large companies and many mid-sized firms use ATS software to filter applications by keyword and format. A poorly formatted education section can result in an otherwise qualified candidate being filtered out.

Use Standard Degree Titles

ATS systems are programmed to recognize common degree abbreviations. Stick to formats like:

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)
• Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.)

Avoid invented abbreviations or informal language like “double BS” or “two majors in.”

Keep Formatting Clean and Simple

ATS parsers struggle with unusual formatting. Avoid:

• Tables in the education section
• Text boxes
• Decorative dividers or lines
• Multi-column layouts in the education block
• Icons or symbols

Standard left-aligned text with clear labels is the safest format.

Mirror Job Description Language

If a job posting mentions “data analysis,” use that phrase in the education section if relevant coursework covers it. If a posting calls for “quantitative methods,” and a mathematics coursework entry includes that phrase, the match improves keyword density.

This is not about stuffing keywords artificially. It is about using the same professional vocabulary that appears in the job description, which ATS systems score directly.

List the Job-Relevant Major First

ATS parsers typically read left to right and stop at separator characters. In a line like “Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Economics,” the first major listed after the degree title tends to be weighted more heavily. Listing the relevant major first increases the likelihood the system scores the entry correctly.

Use ATS-Friendly Resume Templates

ATS-optimized resume templates automatically handle many of these formatting rules. Structured resume builders that generate clean, parser-safe output remove the guesswork from section layout and keyword placement. Many professional resume tools include pre-formatted education sections that present double majors clearly without decorative elements that confuse parsers.

High Impact Mistakes That Can Undermine Your Double Major on a Resume

Even strong academic credentials can lose value if they are formatted incorrectly. Small errors in your education section can confuse recruiters, weaken ATS parsing, or make your resume look inconsistent. Avoiding these mistakes ensures your double major is presented clearly and professionally.

Listing One Degree as Two Separate Entries

The most frequent error. A double major is one degree. Two entries suggest two degrees, which is inaccurate and looks like padding.

Placing the Unrelated Major First

Listing an English major first when applying to a software engineering role reduces the immediate relevance signal for both recruiters and ATS.

Overloading the Entry with Coursework

Four to six courses is enough. A long list of courses pushes other resume content down and rarely adds proportional value.

Using Inconsistent Abbreviations

Do not write “B.S.” in one entry and “Bachelor of Science” in another. Pick a format and apply it consistently.

Including Undeclared or Incomplete Majors as Completed

Only list a double major if it was completed. If one major was dropped or incomplete, do not include it. Listing uncompleted academic work is inaccurate and can be flagged during background checks.

Using Decorative Formatting in the Education Section

Borders, icons, and text boxes look attractive in visual resume builders but are often invisible or garbled when an ATS parses the document. Clean text formatting is always safer.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does a double major make a resume stronger?

Yes. A double major can strengthen a resume, especially for students and recent graduates. It signals discipline, academic range, and the ability to manage multiple areas of study. For experienced professionals, it adds supporting context but matters less than work experience.

Should both majors appear on one line?

Yes. Both majors should be listed in a single education entry, either on the same line or directly next to each other. Formats like “Major A and Major B” or “Majors: Major A, Major B” are both clear and ATS friendly.

Can you list a double major if still studying?

Yes. You should include it with an expected graduation date. Example: Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (Expected May 2026).

Where should a double major appear on a resume?

It belongs in the Education section. For recent graduates, it is usually placed near the top. For experienced professionals, it appears below work experience.

Should you include coursework with a double major?

Only if you are a student or recent graduate and the coursework is directly relevant to the role. Experienced candidates should typically exclude it to keep the resume concise.

Final Thoughts

A double major should be presented clearly as one degree with two fields of study. The focus should remain on accuracy, relevance, and simple formatting that both recruiters and ATS systems can easily interpret.

Clean structure matters more than complexity. A well organized education section improves readability and ensures your academic background supports your overall application rather than distracting from it. Using an ATS friendly resume builder can further simplify formatting decisions, especially when adjusting major order for different job roles or optimizing keyword alignment.

Ultimately, your double major adds value, but how you present it determines how effectively that value is recognized.