​​How to List an Associate Degree on a Resume [+ Examples]

An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after completing a post-secondary program that lasts two to three years. It is a level of education between high school and university. Despite the relatively short duration of its course, an associate degree is no doubt a legitimate degree and can be put on the resume.

On a resume, an associate degree clearly belongs to the education section. So the question now remains how to write associate degree on the resume.

How exactly do you list an associate degree on a resume? What if you have multiple degrees? Should you use abbreviation for your associate degree? What else should you include for your associate degree on the resume?

This article will these questions concerning including an associate degree on the resume and more—with tips and various examples of associate degrees on resumes.

It is common for people to add their bachelor’s and master’s degrees to their resumes. But what about an associate degree? Should you include your associate degree in the resume? Well, the true answer is, it depends.

There are two main circumstances under which you would want to include an associate degree on your resume:

✅ When the associate degree is your highest degree

This one is pretty obvious. It's always advised to include the highest degree you have in the resume, whether it is a high school diploma, an associate degree, a bachelor's, or other degrees or educational qualifications. 

✅ When your associate degree is relevant to the role

Another ideal situation in which you'd benefit from putting your associate degree on the resume is when it is related to the position or industry. Write your associate degree on your resume as it shows your experience and knowledge in the subject matter.

However, if you also have a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree in the same field, your associate degree can be left out from your resume. In this case, you can decide whether to list your associate degree on the resume. If you have the space to spare and would like to show your strong passion in the subject, including the associate degree in your resume is not a bad idea.

It is important to properly list your associate degree on the resume. To do that, you need to first consider what elements need to be included as part of your associate degree as well as how you want to present them.

For the hirer to understand your associate degree when they read your resume, you need to include the following details:

1. the name of the school
2. the location of the school
3. graduation year or years you attended the program
4. type of your degree
5. your major

You can follow the format below when listing your associate degree on the resume:

Generally speaking, it's better to spell out the name of your associate degree on the resume than using abbreviations for it. In this way, the HR is less likely to misunderstand your educational background. However, if you don't have enough space to write out the full name of your associate degree on your resume, you can choose to abbreviate it.

Here are some common associate degree abbreviations to put in a resume:

• Associate of Applied Business: AAB
• Associate of Applied Science: AAS
• Associate of Arts in Teaching: AAT
• Associate of Arts: AA
• Associate of Business Administration: ABA
• Associate of Electrical Engineering Technology: AEET
• Associate of Forestry: AF
• Associate of General Studies: AGS
• Associate of Nursing: AN
• Associate of Occupational Studies: AOS
• Associate of Physical Therapy: APT
• Associate of Science: AS

Using abbreviations for an associate degree certainly has its pros and cons. So, before you write your associate degree on your resume, it is good to know the pros and cons of abbreviating the name of your degree.

🟢  Pros

• It shows that you have a good understanding of your degree and your chosen industry. 
• It leaves more white spaces on your resume, which might encourage employers to read it thoroughly.
  

❌  Cons:

• If they can’t understand the abbreviation you use for your associate degree abbreviation on your resume, they will likely just skip it.
• If your degree abbreviation is not as recognizable in the industry, consider writing out the full title of your degree to reduce uncertainty.

To maximize the usefulness and the quality of your associate degree on your resume, follow the tips below:

💡 Use the correct preposition: “Associate in” or “Associate of”

Either “in” or “of” is the correct preposition when you are writing your associate degree on the resume, but different colleges use different propositions. Check out how your school stylizes the degree or simply follow the words on your diploma to decide which proposition to use.

💡 Use correct punctuation: no apostrophes

"Aassociate’s” is incorrect. Don't include s or an apostrophe in an associate degree on your resume.

💡 Use a consistent format

Consistency is key to writing a resume. If you decide to use abbreviations for your associate degree on the resume, then make sure all your degree titles are abbreviated throughout your education section and the rest of the resume. It is acceptable to write “Associate of Arts (AA)” the first time it appears on your resume and stick to using “AA” afterward, but not the other way around.

💡 Put the associate degree under the education section

Organize your resume and put your associate degree in a dedicated education section. Like all other degrees, it should be included in the education section and not the others like skills or certificates. If you have multiple degrees, list them in the order of hierarchy or a chronological one. For instance, you would put a bachelor’s before an associate degree on your resume.

💡 Include the details of the degree

Make sure to include all the necessary details of the degree in your education section. For instance, you should include the institution where you obtained the degree, the start and graduation date, the location of the institution, and/or GPA. 

💡 List relevant courses, skills, honors & awards

If you are a recent graduate with less than 5 years of working experience, consider listing relevant coursework to demonstrate knowledge you’ve obtained through an associate degree on your resume. Add the relevant skills, honors, and awards you’ve gained underneath your associate degree on the resume. 

Here are 5 examples of different ways to list associate degrees on the resume education section:

🖋 Associate of Arts (AA) Degree on Resume Example

🖋 Associate Degree in Liberal Arts on Resume Example

🖋 Associate of Business Administration Degree on Resume Example

🖋 Associate of Applied Science Degree on Resume Example 

🖋 Associate of Science Degree on Resume Example