How to Put Cum Laude on a Resume

Should you list cum laude on a resume?

You should list cum laude on a resume in the following circumstances:

• You’re writing a resume as a recent college graduate
• You have minimal work experience
• You’re writing a resume for graduate school
• You’re applying for jobs in academia or law, where employers give importance to your educational background

Latin honors on your resume show that you were among the top students in your college or university, making them strong additions to your resume.

However, most employers value your professional experience over your educational achievements. If you have relevant work experience and have been out of school for 3-5 years or more, don’t list Latin honors on your resume.

How to properly list your Latin honors

When listing summa cum laude or magna cum laude on your resume, always make sure they’re uncapitalized and in italics. 

Here’s the correct way to include Latin honors on your resume, depending on its resume section:

Education Section: If you’re listing cum laude in the education section, put it on its own line below your degree, or written next to the name of your degree, separated by a comma.

Here’s an example of what Latin honors look like when listed in the education section:

Honors Section: If you’re using a separate “Honors” section, then list your Latin honors in a bullet format alongside your other honors or awards. When listed in bullet format, you don’t need to italicize your honors.

Here’s an example of what cum laude looks like when listed in an “Honors” section:

Examples of Latin honors on a resume

Here are some examples that demonstrate how to list cum laude on a resume.

Magna Cum Laude on a Resume (3 Examples)

Summa Cum Laude on a Resume (3 Examples)