You’ve Earned Your Associate’s Degree, Now How Do You List It?
You’ve put in the work, passed the exams, and finally have that hard-earned associate’s degree in hand. Whether it’s for a job application, a professional networking profile, or further education, you need to present this achievement correctly. Writing your associate’s degree properly might seem like a small detail, but it’s a critical piece of your professional identity.
Getting it wrong can make you look careless or unprofessional. Getting it right reinforces your credibility and ensures your qualifications are understood at a glance. This guide will walk you through the exact formatting, punctuation, and placement for every situation, from your resume to your email signature.
The Standard Format for Writing an Associate’s Degree
There is a universally accepted way to write your degree that is clear and professional. The standard format follows this order: the degree type, the field of study, and sometimes the institution.
The most common and recommended style is to use an apostrophe and an “s”. For example, Associate’s Degree in Nursing. The apostrophe shows possession, indicating the degree belongs to the category of “associate.” While you might occasionally see “Associates Degree” without the apostrophe, the possessive form is the grammatically correct and most widely recognized version in formal writing.
You should always capitalize the full degree name when it’s written out. If you’re using the abbreviation, “A.A.” or “A.S.”, it’s also standard to use periods. Here are the core components and how to combine them.
Breaking Down the Degree Name
An associate’s degree title has two main parts. The first part is the degree type, which indicates the focus of the program. The second part is your specific major or field of study.
The degree type is usually one of the following:
– Associate of Arts (A.A.)
– Associate of Science (A.S.)
– Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
– Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
– Associate of Business Administration (A.B.A.)
The field of study is your major. This could be Nursing, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, or Liberal Arts, among many others.
When you put it together, you get the full, proper title: Associate of Science in Computer Science, or Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity.
How to List an Associate’s Degree on a Resume
Your resume is where formatting matters most. Consistency and clarity help hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) quickly identify your qualifications. Place your education section strategically based on your career stage.
If you are a recent graduate or your associate’s degree is your highest credential and highly relevant to the job, place the Education section near the top of your resume, just after your summary or objective. If you have substantial work experience or a higher degree, you can place it lower.
The Correct Resume Entry Format
For each degree, list the information in this order and format. Use bold or slight formatting to make the degree name stand out, but avoid overly creative fonts.
Standard Format:
Degree Type in Field of Study
Institution Name, City, State
Graduation Month and Year (or “Expected Graduation: May 2025”)
GPA (Optional, if 3.0 or above)
Example Entry:
Associate of Applied Science in Web Development
Central Community College, Springfield, IL
Graduated: May 2023
GPA: 3.8
If you haven’t graduated yet, it’s perfectly acceptable and encouraged to list your in-progress degree. Simply note your expected graduation date. This shows initiative and forward momentum to employers.
Example for In-Progress Degree:
Associate of Science in Nursing
Riverside City College, Riverside, CA
Expected Graduation: December 2024
Relevant Coursework: Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, Patient Care Fundamentals
Where to Place It With Other Experience
If you have both an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree, only list the highest degree you’ve earned. You do not need to list the associate’s degree separately, as the bachelor’s supersedes it. However, there are strategic exceptions.
If your associate’s degree is in a field directly relevant to the job you’re applying for, and your bachelor’s is in a different, less relevant field, you can list both. This shows a specific, targeted skill set. List the bachelor’s degree first, followed by the associate’s.
Writing Your Degree in Emails and Formal Correspondence
In the body of an email, cover letter, or professional bio, you should write out the full degree name on first reference. You can use the abbreviation in parentheses afterward, and then use the abbreviation for subsequent references if needed.
First Reference: “My background includes an Associate of Science in Information Technology (A.S.) from State College.”
Follow-up: “The coursework for my A.S. focused heavily on network security…”
For email signatures, the convention is to list your credentials after your name, separated by a comma. Only do this if the degree is directly relevant to your professional communication. The standard order is highest degree to lowest, and you typically omit the “in [Field]” part when listing after your name.
Example Signature Block:
Jane Doe, A.S.
IT Support Specialist
ABC Company
If you have multiple credentials, you might list them as: Jane Doe, B.S., A.A.S. Always check your company’s policy, as some have specific guidelines for email signatures.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Small errors can undermine your professionalism. Here are the most frequent mistakes people make and how to correct them.
Incorrect Apostrophe Use
Using “Associates Degree” without an apostrophe is a common typo. Remember, it’s possessive: Associate’s Degree. Similarly, it’s not “Associate Degree,” though this is sometimes used conversationally. For formal purposes, stick with the apostrophe.
Inconsistent Capitalization
You should always capitalize the full name of the degree: Associate of Arts. Do not write “associate of arts.” However, when referring to degree types generically, you can use lowercase. For example: “She is pursuing an associate’s degree.”
Jumbling the Order of Information
Avoid writing “Degree in Nursing, Associate of Science.” The correct order is the degree type first, followed by the field: Associate of Science in Nursing. This standard format is instantly recognizable.
Listing an Incomplete Degree Incorrectly
If you did not finish the degree, do not list it as if you did. You can list the coursework you completed in a way that is honest. For example, under the Education section, you could write: “Completed 45 credit hours toward an Associate of Arts in Business Management, State College, 2020-2022.” This shows your effort without misrepresentation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Associate’s Degrees
You might still have specific questions about how to handle your unique situation. Here are clear answers to the most common queries.
Should I List My Associate’s Degree If I Have a Bachelor’s?
Generally, no. Your highest degree is sufficient. The exception, as mentioned, is if the associate’s degree is more relevant to the job. For instance, a Bachelor of Arts in History and an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting would both be listed if you’re applying for a bookkeeping role. The accounting degree demonstrates the specific technical skill.
How Do I Write an Associate’s Degree That Is “Of Applied Science”?
The format is the same. It would be written as: Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology. The abbreviation is A.A.S. This type of degree is often more hands-on and career-focused than an A.A. or A.S., so highlighting it can be advantageous for technical or trade positions.
What If My Major Has a Very Long Name?
Use the official, full name of the major on your resume and in formal documents. You can use a commonly understood abbreviation in casual contexts or if space is extremely limited. For example, “Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Sonography” is the proper title. In a tight space on a form, “A.S. in Cardio. Sonography” might be acceptable, but default to the full name whenever possible.
Is There a Difference Between “Earned” and “Received”?
In practice, no. Both “Earned an Associate’s Degree in 2022” and “Received an Associate’s Degree in 2022” are correct. “Earned” can subtly emphasize the work you put in, while “Received” is more neutral. Choose the one that fits the tone of your document.
Your Action Plan for Professional Presentation
Now that you know the rules, it’s time to audit your professional materials. A consistent, correct presentation of your education builds trust and opens doors.
Start by updating your primary resume. Check the education section against the standard format provided. Ensure the apostrophe is in place, the capitalization is correct, and all information is current. Next, review your LinkedIn profile. The education entry on LinkedIn should mirror your resume exactly for consistency.
Finally, consider any other professional bios, website “About Me” pages, or portfolio sites you maintain. A single afternoon spent making these updates ensures that wherever a potential employer, client, or school looks, they see a polished and professional candidate who pays attention to the details that matter.
Your associate’s degree represents a significant investment of time and effort. Writing it correctly is the final, simple step to ensure you get the full credit and recognition you deserve for that achievement.
