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Expert Tips: How to Put Incomplete Degree on Resume

how to write incomplete college on resume

Should You Mention an Incomplete Degree on Your Resume?

We have worked with several executives who do not hold a college degree – or who started a post-graduate degree and never completed it.

If you are in a similar position, rest assured that an incomplete degree is not a deal-breaker if you have relevant professional experience.

In this article, we explain how to present your incomplete degree in a way that builds your credibility while avoiding red flags.

We also provide an example of an effective way to do so.

To put your incomplete degree on your resume, follow the steps below:

1) add an education section.

We advise including any education on your resume, even if it isn’t a full degree - especially if you are still in the early stages of your career.

2) Be Transparent About What You Studied

You shouldn’t list “Bachelor of Arts in English” on your resume, for example, if you did not earn the degree.

Recruiters perceive such an approach to be misleading, which could significantly harm your chances of landing a job.

However, there is an easy way to approach this situation by adding “coursework toward” in front of the degree you were pursuing.

By saying that you completed “Coursework toward a Bachelor of Arts in English” instead, you make it clear that you have completed college-level courses but are not implying that you have earned the degree.

3) Include the Dates You Completed Your Studies

For each degree listed in the education section, it is a resume writing convention to only include the date you completed the degree.

If you did not complete the degree, list both the months and years you studied at the university, for the avoidance of doubt.

Example Listing

A sample entry under the education section for an applicant who only completed two years of college would be:

The University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago, Illinois

Coursework toward Bachelor of Science in Management | August 2016 – September 2018

  • Courses included: Finance, Accounting, Microeconomics, Organizational Behavior, Managerial Consulting, Marketing and Sales Channels, Human Resource Management

To list an educational experience on your resume, you do not need to have earned a degree from the institution.

As long as you’re honest and not misrepresenting any information, you should still include your education to help build your credibility – even if you only took a few courses.

Most importantly, don’t spend too much time thinking about whether the fact that you don’t hold a college degree will hold you back in your career.

From our experience, the further along you are in your career, the less weight your college degree tends to hold.

Additional Reading

  • How to Keyword Optimize Your Resume
  • How to Add Metrics to Your Resume
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About the Author Matt Glodz

Matt Glodz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Resume Pilots and a Certified Professional Resume Writer. After studying business communication at Cornell University, Matt worked within Fortune 500 companies, where he noted that qualified candidates were frequently denied interview opportunities due to poorly written documents. At Resume Pilots, Matt combines his business and writing background - which includes prior work for a Chicago Tribune publication - to craft resumes that give his clients the best chance of landing interviews. He works with clients ranging from CEOs to recent graduates and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. He has been quoted on numerous business and career-related topics in outlets including Business Insider, CNBC, Fortune, Glassdoor, The Ladders, and Thrive Global.

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  • How to Put an Unfinished...

How to Put an Unfinished Degree on a Resume (with Examples)

7 min read · Updated on December 07, 2023

Marsha Hebert

You went to college, but didn't finish – that's okay because you can still put it on your resume!

They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Sometimes you start down the road to a destination but don't complete the trip. That doesn't mean your progress is for nothing. 

When it comes to college, even an unfinished degree may be something you'll want to let people know about. It doesn't matter whether circumstances prevented you from finishing, if you made a conscious decision to quit, or if you're going to finish it but just haven't yet. The steps you took in your academic career could be the thing that unlocks future employment doors.

But how do you put an unfinished degree on your resume? As it turns out, it's not difficult or something to be avoided. In this article, you'll find out when to include an unfinished degree on your resume plus some examples of how to write it. 

Some college is often better than no college

All employers care about is whether you'll be able to do the job they have open. They'll want to see how your skills and knowledge align with the job description. This is of the utmost importance when writing your resume. 

Consider the following:

Were any of the courses you took relevant to the job you're applying to?

Did you participate in, or complete, any major academic projects that would demonstrate the practical application of skills and knowledge?

Did you participate in any relevant clubs or extracurriculars that would pique a hiring manager's interest?

What type of independent study or research have you taken part in that would demonstrate initiative?

Do you have any certifications that improve your knowledge? 

What skills did you acquire while you were at college? How are those relevant to the job you want?

Did you take on any leadership roles in college? Think about things like fraternities, sororities, and student government.

How does your professional network look? What did you do to build it up?

All of this is meant to shift your thinking so that you can focus on valuable experiences rather than your unfinished degree. 

How to put an unfinished degree on your resume

Even though your focus should now be shifted from, “I didn't finish my degree, now what?” to “What skills and knowledge do I have that employers want?” you still have to include the fact that your degree is incomplete if you want to talk about it on your resume.

Adding a degree in progress on your resume

Sometimes, you'll run into an opportunity to apply for your dream job, but you haven't quite finished your degree yet. Pursuing your education shouldn't stop you from applying for the position you want. However, you want to be honest about the fact that your degree isn't complete yet. 

At this point in your career, the Education section of your resume will look a bit like a Work History section, because you'll put more details about your degree and where you're getting it. At this point, because of your need to emphasize how your skills, knowledge, and coursework align with what's required in the job, you'll need to include those things on your resume. You also need to let a prospective employer know approximately when your degree will be complete. 

Here's an example of how to include a degree that's still in progress on your resume:

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | XYZ University | Expected completion: 12/2024

Relevant coursework: Introduction to Psychology, Psychology Research, Statistics, Psychology in the Workplace, Organizational Behavior, Coping Mechanisms, and Behavior Change. 

GPA: 3.8/4.0 

Internship: ABC School District, Teacher Support Program

PRO TIP: Only include your GPA if it's 3.5 or higher. We wrote a comprehensive article about when and if you should include your GPA on your resume. Click here to read it.

The inclusion of relevant coursework and an internship provides a great opportunity for you to inject relevant keywords into your resume. Those keywords will help your resume to be found by the applicant tracking systems that an astonishing number of employers use to weed out unqualified applicants. 

Adding a degree you're not going to finish on your resume

Almost everyone has gone through a period of indecision regarding their degree plan. Some even change their major in college multiple times before landing on a path that suits them. Perhaps you've decided that college is no longer in your future or won't serve you very well in the career you've chosen to pursue. 

It could still benefit you to add it to your resume. You could even include some details such as relevant coursework, if you need to get some keywords into your resume . As long as you keep the focus of your Education section on skills, achievements, and experiences gained during your time at school, an unfinished degree shouldn't make or break your candidacy for a job. 

PRO TIP: Position yourself as someone with practical knowledge and a strong skill set to win that coveted interview offer. 

Here's an example of how to add an unfinished degree that you're no longer pursuing to your resume:

Bachelor of Business Administration | XYZ University 

Completed 80/120 credit hours, including finance, management, and marketing

Served as President of the Finance Club

Executed market analysis project that connected business with target market

In this example, you've shifted the focus away from the fact that the degree isn't finished. Instead, the reader – a hiring manager or recruiter – gains insight into your experiences, adding value to your application and demonstrating how you'll benefit the new team.

Don't forget the cover letter

The beauty of having a cover letter that complements your resume in situations when something needs to be explained can't be overstated. While your resume affords you some opportunity to dive into how your history aligns with the job opening, your cover letter lets you expand on the narrative to make it clearer. 

Providing extra context in your cover letter to emphasize your skills can help you to stand out as a top candidate among the hundreds of other people applying for the same position. 

Address the unfinished degree on your cover letter

You'll start a paragraph of your cover letter by quickly bringing up your unfinished degree. Talk about how a shift in your career focus has led you to change your mind on college. Emphasize that your desire for practical experience won out, as you felt that would be the best way to add value to future employers.

“I began my formal education working toward a Bachelor of Business Administration, but decided that it would serve future employers better if I had practical skills in marketing.”

Highlight skills you've acquired

Just like you did in your resume, talk about how your skills make you a great match for the job that the new company has available. Use verbiage from the job description to tailor your cover letter to the needs of the position. 

“The coursework I finished, especially the courses in marketing and finance, has equipped me with a solid foundation in analysis and strategy planning that brings companies and consumers together to improve sales and profits.”

Mention achievements - employers love achievements!

Any time you can talk about something you've achieved, you show prospective employers value. By witnessing your past accomplishments, they get a real sense of what you can do for them.

“When I was the President of the Finance Club, I consistently found ways to automate manual processes to save time. One such process improvement reduced a 5-day turnaround to 2 days.”

Leverage your practical knowledge

Having an unfinished degree isn't the end of the world, as long as you can turn your educational experiences into a narrative that shows you're a determined individual with the right practical knowledge. In this sense, you're not someone with an incomplete degree, you're an engaging professional ready to make solid contributions to prospective employer teams. 

Don't let an unfinished degree hold you back. Why not let us help you to craft a compelling resume that shifts the focus to your skills and achievements in a way that will land your resume at the top of the pile? Submit your resume now for a free resume review!

Recommended reading:

How to Create a Resume With No Education

What To Include in the Education Section of a Resume

Ask Amanda: What's the Best Way to List Education on a Resume?

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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Listing an Unfinished Degree on Your Resume [+ 10 Examples]

Like anything else on your resume, an unfinished degree belongs there if it strengthens your candidacy. Here's when and how to include an unfinished degree on your resume.

3 years ago   •   7 min read

Whether you decided to pursue a different opportunity, are currently on hiatus, or academia just wasn’t for you, there are any number of reasons you may not have completed your degree. The good news is, even an unfinished degree can demonstrate valuable skills. So does it belong on your resume? Maybe. Before you include an unfinished degree on your resume, it’s time to ask yourself a few questions.

Why include an unfinished degree on your resume?

Like anything else on your resume, an unfinished degree only belongs there if it strengthens your candidacy. That said, there are a few situations where it’s probably a good idea.

It aligns with the position you’re applying for

If your degree is relevant to the field or specific position you’re applying for, it’s a good idea to list it on your resume even if it’s unfinished. This is more true the less experience you have in that field — if your coursework , projects, or other degree-related activities highlight technical skills and experience recruiters are looking for, then it’s adding value to your resume and should be listed.

To explain an employment gap

Having a resume gap isn’t a big deal, but most hiring managers will still be curious about it. Taking time off to pursue a degree — even if you didn’t graduate — is a perfectly acceptable reason for a longer gap and is unlikely to raise any further questions.

To highlight skills

Chances are, you picked up some relevant technical skills during your studies, especially if it’s in a similar field to the one you’re applying for jobs in. If you’ve never worked in that field, some employers might be wondering how you gained some of the skills on your resume — listing your unfinished degree not only gives additional context for how you’ve used those skills, it also provides an additional spotlight for those competencies.

To showcase relevant experience

Listing education on your resume often isn’t just about the degree itself, but about the experience you gained while pursuing it. If you engaged in internships, volunteer work , university activities, research, publications, or even coursework relevant to the jobs you’re now applying for, all of that is worthy of inclusion on your resume.

If you’re currently pursuing a degree

You don’t need to have graduated already to include a degree on your resume. If you’re applying for jobs as a current student — including if you’ve been on hiatus for less than a year — listing your degree with an expected graduation date signals that you’re looking for entry-level work post-graduation.

More information: The must-haves for writing your education on your resume

You should list an unfinished degree on your resume if it’s relevant to the specific job you’re applying for. A good way to find out if you have listed an unfinished degree the right way and any relevant skills and accomplishments is to upload your resume to the tool below — it’ll scan your resume and give you detailed feedback on your education, accomplishments and other key areas hiring managers care about.

How to list an unfinished degree

Here's a simple step by step guide on how to list an incomplete degree on your resume:

  • Create a section titled 'Education.' This should go below your experience section unless you're a current student or very recent graduate with limited work experience.
  • List the name and location of the school.
  • List the name of the degree you studied.
  • Include the dates you attended and number of credit hours completed.
  • List your expected gradutation date (if you intend to finish the degree).

If you’re a current student

You can still include your degree on your resume if you haven’t graduated yet — in fact, if you’re applying for jobs in a related field, you definitely should. You should put your education section at the top of your resume, since that’s likely to be your most relevant experience, and list an expected graduation date. It’s okay if this changes — employers understand that things don’t always go exactly to plan.

If you’re currently on hiatus, you don’t need to change the way you list your degree unless it’s been over a year. Within this timeframe, you can still legitimately consider yourself a current student.

If you’re a current student or have been on hiatus for less than a year, list your education section first and include an expected date of graduation.

More information: How to list education on your resume

If you spent two years at university and didn’t work during that period, including your unfinished degree is a great way to explain that time without raising red flags. Simply list the university, dates of enrolment, course of study, and credit hours completed. There’s no need to specify that the degree is incomplete — as long as you don’t list a graduation date, that should be obvious from context.

Boston University (2020-2021) Boston, MA Bachelor of Arts in Communication — Completed 20 credit hours

You can list this as normal in your education section, or in the space where there would otherwise be a gap in your work experience section.

More information: How to list gaps on a resume

If you’re currently employed in a related field

If you currently work or are applying for a job in the same field, listing an unfinished degree can help illustrate relevant technical skills . This is especially true if you completed any noteworthy research, projects, or volunteer work as part of your degree and are still in the early stages of your career.

List the unfinished degree in your education section to give context for your achievements. The accomplishments themselves should be listed in the relevant section of your resume —  for example, the experience section for paid or volunteer experience, or a projects or additional section for research or publications.

Internships and other work experience should be listed in your work experience section.

If you’re wondering which technical skills to include on your resume, use the tool below to get a list of relevant skills and industry-related keywords.

More information: How to list research experience on your resume

If you don’t have any other relevant experience

If you lack more relevant experience to put on your resume, including volunteer work, you should list your education section first on your resume and expand on your achievements from your unfinished degree. You can list coursework or achievements underneath the degree itself or in a separate projects section.

List coursework in your Education section if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for.

More information: How to list projects on a resume

If you plan on going back to school

If you plan on going back to finish your degree in the near future — and it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for — you can address this in your cover letter . This doesn’t need to be a long explanation — just a sentence or two is fine.

I’m currently on hiatus from my degree at [University[ to focus on my career at [Company]. However, I’m committed to returning to school in January 2022 to earn my [type of degree you’re pursuing, eg. BA].

Frequently asked questions

Should you list coursework for an incomplete degree.

In most cases, whether you graduated or not, you don’t need to list specific coursework on your resume. The exception to this is if you’re a current student or very recent graduate — as soon as you have some relevant experience in your field, it’s time to take it off. If you do choose to include it, make sure any coursework listed is relevant to the specific job you’re applying for.

Should you list a GPA on your resume?

Unless you're applying to graduate school or a limited number of niche jobs, employers don't care about your GPA. Definitely only include it if it’s particularly impressive — if it’s below 3.5, you can skip it and nobody will question the omission.

When shouldn't you list an unfinished degree?

There are a few situations when it’s best to leave an unfinished degree off your resume. If your academic performance was poor or if you were dismissed from your degree program for cause, leave it off. You also don’t need to list an unfinished degree if you’re well established in your career, as you’ll likely have far more relevant experience to talk about instead.

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how to write incomplete college on resume

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how to write incomplete college on resume

Should I Put In An Incomplete Degree On A Resume?

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In This Guide:

When you should include an unfinished college degree on your resume, large gap in employment history, currently pursuing degree on a resume, not going to finish education, keep it simple, include completed coursework, describe projects, should you ever leave an unfinished degree off your resume.

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Stressed over what recruiters and hiring managers are going to think about the incomplete degree you’ve got on your resume?

Breathe, it’s okay. In fact, a study about the college dropout rate found that 40% of college students drop out before having the chance to graduate.

In many cases, including an incomplete degree in your resume can only work in your favor. Just make sure you format it correctly and professionally , and you’ve got just as much chance as someone who’s completed their education.

Stay with us and you will find out how to include an unfinished degree on your resume when you:

  • have a large gap in your employment history
  • are currently pursuing your degree
  • are not going to finish your education

So let’s dive in and get your unfinished degree working for you.

incomplete degree on resume.png

Don’t focus on whether or not your degree is finished, but rather put your attention on some more important questions:

  • Does your degree align with the job you’re applying for?
  • Will a large employment gap appear on your resume if you remove your unfinished degree?
  • Are there any courses you took while pursuing your degree, that would be applicable to the job you’re applying for?

Remember: if your degree does not match the position you’re applying for at all, you should consider leaving it out of your resume.

But don’t forget mentioning your unfinished degree can also avoid awkward questions during the interview. Also, adding it avoids negative assumptions that stop the Hiring Manager from considering you for the position.

What are the different scenarios, you wonder?

If you’re not quite sure how to structure your resume, you should consider using our Resume Examples and Resume Templates and use them to build your resume in no time.

The most important question for this scenario is whether or not filling your education out on your resume would leave a large gap in your resume.

No gap, no problem.

But if you have a big empty space in the middle of your resume, you should absolutely draw the recruiter’s attention toward your education and the fact that you were doing something productive instead of working.

Some might worry – “But my education has absolutely nothing to do with the position I’m applying for”.

Don’t fall into that problem’s trap. Any gaps in your resume are always a red flag for any potential employer.

Even if there are no applicable courses in your education, it’s better to include your incomplete degree, rather than leave a gap in your resume.

incomplete degree on resume not finished education.png

If you’re currently pursuing your degree, make sure you have included your latest entry at the top of the education section of your resume. Keep in mind that you can call yourself a student if you have taken a hiatus of less than a year.

In this case, you should include your degree program and school name. You should specify the expected graduation date if you’re continuing your education, or simply mention that your education is still ongoing.

If your grade point average is above 3.0, you might want to consider including it as well.

Don’t forget to include any education-related experience that you have. That includes clubs and projects, as well as honors and awards. Show how good you are!

Here’s a little example to get you going:

If you’re a semester away from your graduation, you may have the opportunity to finish your degree as a condition of being hired.

Just to be sure, we want to mention one fact again – if you have taken a hiatus of up to a year, you can still call yourself a student.

Don’t hesitate, but mention all the information we have listed above, including the name of the school you are attending, the date you started, and the degree you’re pursuing.

You can also include any relevant information, like memberships, research projects, or activities.

If you’re not going to finish your education, you need to find an option that puts your incomplete degree in the best possible light.

Not having a degree should not stop you from including that part of your education in your resume.

There are a few different approaches to that issue.

Include your school name and its location, but that is the absolute minimum of information.

If you want, you can include the years attended, and your grade point average (above 3.5). You can include extracurricular activities, memberships, research projects, and anything else you consider relevant.

List some of your coursework, as long as it is related to the position you’re applying for.

Consider including anything the recruiter might see as relevant, such as extracurricular activities, memberships, research projects, etc.

Describe any course projects, related to the requirements of the position you’re applying for. This would be a good approach if you do not possess much or any related work experience.

If you play your cards right, you can use your incomplete degree as leverage and really showcase your gained skills.

You can include all the skills you’ve gained in the “Skill Set” portion of your resume. In this case, it might look like this:

  • HTML5 *****
  • Visual C **
  • A+ Certification *
  • University of Texas (2018 – 2019)
  • BS: Computer Science — Completed 24 Hours
  • Passed A+ Certification Examination
  • Completed Web Design Externship

In certain situations, it might be better to leave your incomplete degree out of your resume.

If you’re an experienced professional, you don’t need to mention any attempts to pursue an unrelated degree.

Also, don’t include it if your performance was really poor, or you were dismissed for cause, that may be best left unsaid.

Takeaways: Listing Unfinished Degree on Resume

No matter if you have completed your degree, if you are currently working toward it, or have dropped out, don’t let anything stop you from pursuing your dream job.

When listing your incomplete degree on your resume, remember to:

  • Mention your degree program, school name, and expected graduation date, if your education is still ongoing.
  • If you’re not going to finish your education, find a way to make your incomplete degree work in your favor and present yourself in the best light.
  • If you are an experienced professional or were dismissed for a cause, you’d better leave your unfinished degree off your resume

Now you have everything you need to make the best out of your incomplete degree.

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How to List Education on a Resume in 2022 (With Examples & Tips)

Not sure what degree to list? If you should include a GPA? It just so happens that there's a variety of ways to effectively list your eduction.

Ed Moss

The education section of a resume may not always be the star of the document but knowing how to properly list your education can be essential for advancing into the next phase of the hiring process.

In this guide, we will cover all the ins and outs of crafting an education section for your resume. 

We'll cover the following:

  • What to Include in an Education Section?

Tips for Listing Degrees (College, High-School, GED)

Listing incomplete education.

  • Where to Include Education on a Resume?

What Employers Look for in an Education Section

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job.

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What to Include in an Education Section

As we've covered, different formats of resumes may require different information to be included within an education section.

In general, there is some basic information that should be included within the education section of a resume:

  • The name of the school — "e.g. Georgia Institute of Technology"
  • The location of the school
  • Your degree ( high-school diploma, GED, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, etc. )
  • Graduation year ( if applicable )
  • Major field or department of study (if applicable )
  • Minor field or department of study (if applicable and relevant )
  • GPA ( If you're a student or graduates who held lower GPAs, this bit of information may be good to omit unless specifically requested by the employer )

Here's what that looks like for and university grad:

Georgia Institute of Technology • Atlanta, GA B.S. in Computer Engineering, 2006 - 2010 GPA: 3.9/4.0

For high-school students, you can do something like the following:

Georgia Institute of Technology • Atlanta, GA High School Diploma, Graduated in 2010 GPA: 3.9/4.0

Remember, including a GPA  is optional. Only add it if it's required by the job listing or it's relatively high. If your GPA is low (under 3.5), it's better to just leave it out.

Listing Education with Limited Work Experience

In resumes that have limited or no work experience , as may be the case with college students or recent graduates, the education section may be a good opportunity to show off educational achievements instead.

Additional information that can be included in longer education sections can include:

  • Internships completed as part of a curriculum 
  • Academic awards or sponsorships
  • Relevant coursework
  • Academic assistantships with professors or other academic professionals

As covered, in documents such as CVs the education section could be fairly lengthy.

However, the education section for most resumes will be one of the shortest sections.

This is mostly because standard resumes will be used for entry-level or mid-level positions, while longer-form resumes like the CV will only come into play for more prestigious or hard to obtain positions. 

It is much more important to show either a robust work history or detail relevant and transferable skills, using your education as support rather than the main point of interest. 

Here are some quick tips for deciding what educational information to include in a resume:

1) When including professional hobbies and extra curricular activities, it is important to keep relevance in mind

Incorrect: Do not include information about sports clubs or other clubs that cannot be connected back to your qualifications for a job.
Correct: If you held leadership positions in clubs or other extra-curricular activities, this can be useful information to include to highlight non-paid leadership or management experience.

Keep your descriptions simple and concise

Incorrect: Including long-winded and wordy paragraphs explaining the relevance of a certain piece of information. If a piece of information is relevant, it should be easily explained in one, simple sentence.
Correct: Use bullet points to separate bits of information to keep your resume easy to read or skim.

The readability of a resume can be the defining factor of whether or not a job recruiter or potential employer moves the candidate into the next phase of the hiring process.

As such, using clear and concise wording and formatting is essential for not just the education section, but for all sections. 

Here are a few tips for different formatting options depending on the level and type of education you have completed.

1) Adding High School and GED on Resume

  • If your highest level of education is a high school diploma or a GED, this should still be included as there are many jobs that are open to high school graduates as well as college graduates.
  • Generally, this type of education section should be kept short and sweet. Listing that you have received either a diploma or a GED should be sufficient.
  • If you have recently graduated high school or received your GED, including additional high school-related achievements may be beneficial (such as leadership positions, honor roll awards, athletics, etc.)

2) Adding Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees on Resume

  • When listing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree on a resume, always include the name and location of the institution, as well as the date or expected date of graduation.
  • While the education section should still be kept short, inclusion of any collegiate level academic achievements, such as honor societies or dean’s lists, can be useful to include.
  • Don’t go too crazy including coursework of extracurricular information – stick to including the most relevant information. 

3) Adding Graduate School or Doctoral Programs on Resume

  • Graduate and doctoral students may feel inclined to always include this information; however, it is important to be wary of including too much academic information in scenarios where it may render you overqualified for the position.
  • Graduate and doctoral information is more likely to come into play for candidates seeking higher level positions at the management level. 
  • For candidates seeking jobs in academic or scientific fields, a CV-style resume and longer-form education section providing higher level of details regarding graduate or doctoral programs may be necessary.

4) Adding Certifications on Resume

  • In some cases, a candidate may not have attended college but may have completed a trade school or other program that resulted in various certifications. These certifications should be included when relevant.
  • Certifications such as CPR or First Aid can be useful to include in most resumes, although they should perhaps be saved for a separate certifications section .

5) Listing Incomplete Education on Resume

Incomplete education can be tricky to include in a way that sounds positive — as such, if you have incomplete education, be wary of your wording and avoid words such as “incomplete” or “unfinished.” Instead try to do the following:

  • Include relevant coursework or credits earned during your duration of education before the point of departure from the institution.
  • Omit any wordy or lengthy explanations of why the education is incomplete. 

However, we've seen this be a common problem that many candidates have. Continue reading below to see how to effectively list education that is left incomplete. ‍

In some cases, a job applicant may have a partially-complete or incomplete educational credential they want to list on their resume.

Incomplete education can result from a variety of circumstances, including:

  • A person who is still in the process of earning their diploma, GED, or degree, but has not yet earned the credential or graduated.
  • A person who started a degree and completed relevant coursework, but ultimately did not finish the degree program.
  • A person who chose a different career path than what they studied for, but still has relevant coursework for the new career path.

When listing incomplete education on a resume, it is important to stay highly mindful of how you are wording your limited educational credentials — as words such as “ unfinished ” or “ incomplete ” are not ideal to include within a resume. 

Here are some quick examples on how to properly list incomplete education in the education section of a resume:

For applicants who are in the process of completing a degree, it is important to note the expected timeframe of completion.

Incorrect: ‍ B.S. in Communications University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Not yet complete
Correct: B.S. in Communications University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Expected graduation May 2021

For applicants who began a degree, but ultimately did not complete the degree, it is key to be mindful of how you frame the education you did receive. 

Incorrect: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC

Why is this incorrect? Sure, this example indicates you, at some point, attended a university.

However, it provides no insight as to what relevant coursework or studies you may have completed.

Here's the correct way to describe your educational experience instead:

Correct: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC Completed 20 credits towards a BS in Communications

Alternatively: This could be a good opportunity to include a bulleted list of relevant coursework.

For applicants who did not complete high school, it is important to note if you either earned a GED or are in the process of earning a GED.

Incorrect: ‍ Watauga County High School Boone, NC Incomplete
Correct: General Educational Development Diploma Earned May 2021 — OR — Expected to earn May 2021

Generally speaking, the majority of jobs will require applicants to have earned at minimum a GED certification in order to qualify.

In some cases, an applicant may lack a degree but may be certified by a trade school.

For instance, a beautician would want to include any beauty and health related certifications or licenses earned under the education section. 

Take a look at this resume example of a college student below to see how to do this.

College Student

Where to Include Education on a Resume

When it comes to placing your educational credentials on a resume, there are many considerations to make.

Resumes can serve a variety of purposes and, as a general rule of thumb, should be tailored for specific jobs . 

It is also important to take into consideration the level of education you have completed, as this will impact how it should be presented as well.

For instance, a job applicant seeking a position in academia would have a much heavier emphasis on education and academic-related achievements — than someone seeking a job in a corporate environment.

Ultimately, not all resumes are the same, so the placement of the education section will differ depending on the type of resume being used and the intention behind its structuring. 

Choosing the right resume format

There are several different types of resume formats to choose from, but the main ones that are used are as follows:

1) Reverse-Chronological

‍ Emphasis is placed on the most relevant work experience, listing jobs from most recent to oldest. Education can be placed before or after the work experience section. However higher degrees that qualify a candidate for the position may be beneficial to mention sooner rather than later. 

2) Functional

‍ Functional resumes place a much heavier emphasis on skillsets and areas of expertise. This format of resume is typically used by job applicants lacking the relevant work experience or educational credentials. In this format, the education section may lead if the applicant has educational credentials but limited work experience but should follow after the skills section if education is limited. 

‍ Hybrid resumes combine the reverse-chronological work experience ordering with the emphasizing of skills. This can help to supplement resumes of applicants who may have some relevant work experience but still need to beef up their resumes with a skills section . The placement of the education section will depend on how applicable or high level the credentials are and should generally be kept brief. 

4) Curriculum Vitae (CV)

‍ CVs are a type of long-form and multi-page resume used most commonly by applicants seeking positions in either academic or scientific fields. In a CV, the education section will be a prominent component and should appear early in the document. This type of education section should include all credentials, published works, projects, awards, or other academic achievements — no details should be spared. 

The below example of a Physician Assistant's resume is listing education in the bottom-right corner as it's using a reverse-chronological resume format to shine on it's work history.

Data Analyst

Employers can gather a variety of information about a job candidate from an education section, including:

  • A job applicant’s work ethic, reflected through GPAs or other grade-related information
  • Relevant skills or training an applicant has received through their schooling
  • Name recognition of specific universities, such as ivy leagues, that may give a candidate a leg up on the competition
  • Insight into a candidate’s interests or talents based on academic-related extracurricular activities included 

Understanding what employers are looking for in an education section included on a resume is key to understand how much or how little information to include.

What an employer is looking for will vary depending on the nature of the job being offered. 

For instance, an entry-level communications job at a corporation is likely to require a bachelor’s degree in communications or a related field.

Comparatively, a job in the welding industry may require the completion of a trade school program but not require a four-year degree. 

It is of the utmost importance when you are applying to various jobs that you read the job descriptions provided carefully, as this is where you will find the necessary information regarding what educational credentials are required of eligible candidates.

This will also help you to tailor your education section according to what credentials or qualifications you have that meet the requirements of the job. 

In general, what an employer is mostly looking for is simply that an education section exists on a resume.

The majority of employers will want candidates who have shown a commitment to their education, reflected through the inclusion of an education section.

For candidates lacking a completed education, it is still considered best practice to include some information regarding what level of education was reached before the point of incompletion, as well as the inclusion of any relevant coursework and knowledge gained from the time the candidate spent pursuing further education. 

Here is a quick rundown of a few key factors to consider for applicants who may be unsure how much information to provide in an education section for a specific employer or position:

  • The education section should prove that you have the credentials necessary to complete the job at hand.
  • Oversharing of education can be detrimental in some situations, as overqualified candidates may not be considered by employers.
  • Job descriptions will always be the best place to look for indicators regarding how much educational background information an employer is looking for.
  • Never lie or over-exaggerate — while not all employers double-check applicants’ educational histories, many still do, and dishonesty can cost you the position in the long run.

Physician Assistant

Final Thoughts

Unless you are crafting a longer-form resume, such as a CV, the education section will generally be a fairly short summary of your academic credentials and achievements.

Education sections can be longer in some cases where job applicants may have hefty academic backgrounds but limited work experience.

Ultimately, the key to making a strong education section is to include only the most relevant information.

Always avoid deceptive wording, as employers can fairly easily run academic background checks if need be. 

Check out our resume templates to get your creativity flowing and get started on your ideal resume today. 

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Ed Moss is an author for Easy Resume

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Unfinished Degree On A Resume: 4 Examples

Elena Prokopets

So you never finished your college degree. That’s okay as some 40% of college students drop out before the graduation date. But should you bring up your unfinished degree on your resume? 

In this post, we’ll explain why you should put an unfinished degree on a resume and how to do it right. Let’s dive in! 

Should I Include College If I Didn’t Graduate?

In many cases, the answer is yes. Even if you never got to that part of being handed the diploma, attending a college has helped you develop many worthwhile core competencies, along with interpersonal skills. Plus, mentioning that you went to college can help avoid some awkward questions or negative assumptions. 

Here are four reasons to put unfinished college on a resume: 

  • Showcase relevant research experience and coursework 
  • Bring up some of the skills you’ve gained 
  • Use your time at college to explain a gap in employment
  • Demonstrate that you pursuing or open to pursuing further education

Should You Ever Leave An Unfinished Degree Off Your Resume?

Yes, in some cases it’s good to omit an unfinished degree from your resume.  For example, if you are an experienced professional, you don’t need to mention that you attempted to pursue an unrelated degree in your late teens.  Likewise, if your academic performance was exceptionally poor, or you were dismissed from school for cause, that may be best left unsaid. In all other cases, it’s best to mention your unfinished degree, than not! 

Can You Put a Degree in Progress on a Resume?

Yes, as a college student that’s what you are expected to do. Adding an in-progress degree to your resume helps the employer understand that you may be available for part-time work only. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to show some of the skills you’ve already learned! 

How To Put Your Unfinished Degree On Your Resume: 4 Examples 

After you are done with all the other resume sections (and here, a downloadable resume template can help get those straight), switch your attention to Education. But before you put down any details, consider your career goals. What idea are you trying to communicate to the potential employer? 

You may want to:

  • Address a gap in employment 
  • Show that you are still in school 
  • Explain that you are taking an academic leave 
  • Draw attention away from your unfinished degree 

In each case, you may want to use a slightly different format for your Education entry. 

We illustrate how to do that via the examples below. 

Currently Pursuing Degree on Resume Example

University of Arizona (2019 — Present) Tempe, AZ BS: Mechanical Engineering President: Society of Mathematics And Engineering Students Research Assistant: United Automotive Engine Efficiency Project

If you are currently enrolled in a program, put your latest entry at the top of the education section of your resume. Keep in mind that you can call yourself a current student if you have taken a hiatus of less than a year. 

In this case, you can include the name of the school you are attending, the date you started, and the degree you’re pursuing. You can also include any relevant memberships, research projects, or activities. 

Check our college resume example for extra tips! 

Incomplete Degree on Resume Example for a Working Professional 

For those who choose to go in the field, instead of pursuing a complete education, the unfinished degree can be leveraged to showcase the gained skills. 

But how do you style this? Well, you have several options. 

First, you can write a functional resume and can include all the skills you’ve gained in college to the ‘Skill Set’ portion of your resume. 

In that case, your entry might look like this:

Skill Set HTML5 ***** Visual C ** A+ Certification *

Education University of Texas (2018 – 2019) Austin, TX BS: Computer Science — Completed 24 Hours Passed A+ Certification Examination Completed Web Design Externship

Alternatively, you can include the work you’ve done in school as part of your work experience section.  Here are some examples of when this would be appropriate:

  • You were a paid TA or research assistant.
  • You participated in a dedicated research project with a commitment similar to a job.
  • In cases where you took part in an apprenticeship, internship, or study abroad program.

If the above sounds like your case, follow this example:

Work Experience Computer Science Dept. (2018-2019) Software Design Assistant University of TX

Duties: Gathering user requirements, testing and debugging software, coding software modules according to designer specifications.

Education University of TX (2018-2019) BS: Software Engineering — Completed 18 hours Work-Study Employee: Software Design

Don’t want to mention your unfinished degree? Check this resume example with no college degree to learn an alternative formatting approach. 

Sample Entry for Gap In Employment Due to College 

If your career history has this ‘blank’ in the middle when you were attending college, you should draw the employers’ attention to the fact that you were doing something productive and legitimate instead of working. 

In this case, here’s how to list a pending degree on a resume:

University of Arizona (2017-present) Tempe, AZ BA: Business Administration  Currently re-enrolled  Completed 30 credit hours in 2017-18 and then took an academic leave. 

Committed To Finishing A Required Degree

Should you give up on an opportunity simply because you haven’t finished your degree? Maybe not. If you’re a great candidate otherwise, an employer may be willing to hire you with the condition that you finish your degree quickly.

Of course, this isn’t going to work if you are years away from graduating. This is more appropriate for students who are within a semester of attaining their degree. 

To do this, list your unfinished degree on your resume first:

University of Arizona (2018 — Present) Tempe, AZ BA: Marketing and Administration  Planned graduation date: June 2022. 

Then, address the situation in your cover letter . For example, you may write something like this:

“I’m currently on a two-semester leave from the University of Arizona as I focused on honing my skills as a part-time creative marketing consultant for Lululemon. However, I’m committed to returning to school in April 2022 to complete my BA and graduate by the summer.”

More Questions and Answers About Listing an Unfinished Degree on a Resume 

Don’t let an unfinished degree stop you from pursuing a great job! To maximize your chances of landing the job interview, frame your college experience as an asset, rather than a liability. 

And if you are still in doubt, our team answered some popular questions job applicants like you have about formatting the education section of their resumes!

How to list an unfinished Ph.D. degree on my resume?

If you didn’t complete your doctorate (yet or ever), you can’t put a Ph.D. title on your resume. Still, you can promote the type of research you did, especially if it’s relevant to the position you are after.

To list an unfinished P.h.D degree on your resume do this:

  • State enrollment years (e.g. 2018-present or 2018-2022) 
  • Write the university name 
  • List your research subject or title of your dissertation  
  • Add a note on how many years you’ve completed 

Do employers even check education on resumes?

This depends on your tenure. If you are an entry-level candidate without much work experience, then yes, employers will look closer at your degree. But the longer (and more compelling!) your list of work experience gets – the less time employers will dwell on your education section. In fact, most will pay attention to the extra professional training you did, rather the degree you’ve obtained back in the day. 

What to put on my resume if I didn’t go to college?

If you did progress beyond GED (which is fine for many professions!), you can put other relevant information in your education section such as professional licenses and permits, on-the-job training completed, professional courses and programs you’ve taken yourself (including online courses), or even foreign language skills. All of these are excellent “tellers” of your proficiency!

Is it OK to leave education off your resume altogether?

It’s okay to leave an unfinished, irrelevant degree as an experienced professional. But having a completely blank (or non-existent) education section on your resume may rub some employers the wrong way. So put either a quick note about an unfinished degree. Or focus on highlighting alternative education you’ve completed such as professional certifications, diplomas, etc. There are plenty of free and low-cost courses out there!

Do employers look at your college GPA?

Depends on your industry and seniority level. As a recent graduate, your college GPA may be seen as more important. After all, it indicates your ability to work hard and your passion for the subjects you are studying. But more senior professionals (think someone with 3+ years of experience) are rarely judged by their GPAs. So it’s okay to leave it off your resume.

Elena Prokopets

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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How To Address An Incomplete Degree On Your Resume

Woman addressing incomplete degree on resume during an interview

There are typically two different situations that a job seeker with an incomplete degree can be in. Either you didn't finish your degree and don't plan to, or you're currently completing it. I know job seekers in both situations and there is a great way to handle the incomplete degree scenario.

Can You Put An Incomplete Degree On Your Resume?

Yes, you can put an incomplete degree on your resume , but you need to do it the right way.

Let's look at both scenarios: those job seekers currently pursuing a degree, and those who've decided not to return to school.

How Do You Put An Incomplete Degree On A Resume?

How you put an incomplete degree on a resume depends on which scenario applies to you: you didn't finish the degree or you're currently pursuing a degree.

Didn't Finish The Degree

I personally think it's important to include your degree or coursework on your resume, especially when it's related to your current or desired career field. There are two ways I would suggest tackling this:

1. List the college you went to, the program area you studied, and dates you attended school. You're not including a degree here because one was not awarded.

2. State the university you attended, relevant courses you completed (especially if they're related to a position you're pursuing), and dates you attended the school.

You have to be careful when including this information on your resume. You don't want to mislead an employer into thinking you have a degree that you don't have. This can come back to bite you if you're offered the position and they fact-check.

Plus, the goal here isn't to deceive anyone into thinking that you have a degree you don't actually have. The goal is to include any education you have received—which, in my opinion, is important to show.

Currently Pursuing A Degree

You should absolutely include information about pursuing a degree on your resume—especially if the position requires whatever degree or certification you're pursuing. There are two great ways to handle including this information on your resume:

1. State the college you're attending, degree you're pursuing, your area of study, current GPA (if 3.0 or higher) and include your anticipated graduation date; this is very important if your graduation date is within the next 12 months.

2. List the university you're attending, degree you're pursuing, area of study, current GPA (if 3.0 or higher), and the words In Progress . This works well if you're still going to be in school for a couple of years.

If the degree or certification is a requirement for the opportunity and it has been recently obtained or will soon be completed, I recommend putting your education information at the top of the resume.

If the degree or education you have isn't required or directly related to the position, put it at the end of the resume. This is also the case if you want to share with the employer that you have some education but you don't want to advertise that you didn't complete your education.

No matter if you're a college dropout or a current college student, your resume can look complete and professional with these two strategies!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Spring Cleaning: 4 Ways To Fix Your Job Search

Is your job search turning into a grind with no end in sight? It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your entire approach.

In cold weather climates, the beginning of spring is a time to clean the house and get organized—a practice known as spring cleaning. Through the years, spring cleaning has taken on a larger meaning with people using the time to organize and declutter things in their lives.

For professionals on the job hunt, a little spring cleaning (metaphorically speaking) could be a great way to reinvigorate your job search. Here are a few strategies your job search spring cleaning should include.

Reevaluate Your Job Search Approach

Make a list of the last handful of jobs you applied for and see if you can identify any positive or negative trends. Consider things like:

  • How did I learn about this job?
  • How did I apply for the job?
  • Did I earn an interview?
  • What was the ultimate result?

A lot can be learned about your job search approach just by answering these questions and identifying patterns. For example:

Negative Trends

You discovered five jobs through job boards, applied to all of them via the job boards, and never heard back from any of them.

The common pattern here is applying through job boards. This isn't to say that job boards don't serve a purpose in the job search process, but they have their limitations , and you can't run your job search entirely off of them. When you apply through a job board, there's a good chance that your materials will never get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and never be seen by an actual person.

One simple fix is to research who the hiring manager or recruiter is that posted the position and email your materials to them directly.

The more efficient fix would be to take a proactive approach by putting together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and start making connections on LinkedIn with people who work at those companies. You may already know some people who work there or have connections that can refer you to some individuals.

This is a great way to network your way onto a company's radar.

Positive Trends

You applied to three jobs via referral, were invited to two job interviews, and made it through multiple rounds of interviews for one of the jobs before being passed over for someone with a little more experience.

The pattern here is that getting referred to a job by a professional acquaintance is a great way to land a job interview . This indicates that you're leveraging your network well and you should continue to focus on your networking efforts.

The next step is to review the interview process and determine what went well and what needs to be improved. Sometimes the interviewer will provide feedback , and that feedback can be valuable. However, not everyone is comfortable with giving feedback.

Chances are you probably have a good idea about areas of improvement and the skills you need to gain. Put together a plan for addressing those shortfalls.

The good news in making it deep into any interview process is that it indicates that the company likes you as a potential employee (even if the timing just wasn't right) and the experience could be a roadmap to a job with that company at a later date, or another similar opportunity elsewhere.

Give Your Resume & Cover Letter Some Much-Needed Attention

Are you continuously sending similar resumes and cover letters to each job opening with only minor adjustments? If so, your strategy needs some serious spring cleaning.

Let's start with resumes!

Every resume should be tailored to the position in order for it to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers . It may seem like a lot of work, but it's actually less work than submitting the same resume over and over again and never hearing back.

The reason why it's so important to tailor your resume is that throughout your career, you acquire numerous skills, but the job you're applying for may only be focusing on 6-8 of those skills. In that case, those skills must rise to the top of the resume with quantifiable examples of how you successfully used those skills at previous jobs.

Remember, recruiters go through hundreds of resumes. They need to be able to tell from a quick glance whether or not you're a potential candidate for the position.

While updating your resume, you could also spruce up your LinkedIn profile by highlighting the skill sets that you want to be noticed for by recruiters.

As for writing a good cover letter , the key to success is writing a disruptive cover letter . When you write a disruptive cover letter , you're basically telling a story. The story should focus on how you connect with the particular company and job position. The story could also focus on your personal journey, and how you got to where you currently are in your career.

If your resumes and cover letters aren't unique, now is the time to clean things up and get on track.

Build Your Personal Brand

Just because you're looking for work doesn't mean that you don't have anything to offer. Use previous career experiences and passions to build your personal brand .

Ask yourself, "How do I want other professionals to view me?"

Pick an area of expertise and start sharing your knowledge and experience with your professional network by pushing out content on your LinkedIn and social media accounts. Good content can include blogs, social media posts, and videos.

By sharing content about your experiences and passions, you slowly build your personal brand, and others will start to notice. The content could lead to good discussions with others in your network. It could also lead to reconnecting with connections that you haven't spoken to in years, or making new connections.

You never know when one of these connections could turn into a job lead or referral. The trick is to get on people's radars. So, when you're cleaning up your job search, be sure to build a plan for personal branding.

Maintain Healthy Habits During Your Job Search

Your job search is important, but it's even more important to know when to pull back and focus on personal health and spending time with family and friends.

There are actually things that you can do for your own enjoyment that could help your job search in the long run, such as:

  • Grab coffee with a friend - It's good to engage in light conversation with friends during challenging times. And if your job search does come up, remember that most people have been through it themselves and you never know when a friend may provide you with a good idea or lead on a job.
  • Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and help others. In addition, if you develop a little bit of a career gap while looking for a job, you can always talk about how you filled that time volunteering, if you're asked about it during a job interview.
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Should you put an unfinished degree on your resume?

For most cases, yes, you should include an unfinished degree on resume if the job profile you are targeting calls for it.

It’s only natural to worry about how the recruiters are going to perceive your unfinished degree on resume.

However, studies show that 40% of undergraduate college students do not complete their graduation. So it’s really about how you present it, rather than what you say.

Besides, depending on your situation, you might consider going back to school to complete your degree in the near future or you might have had serious reasons for not being able to complete college.

Whatever may be the reason, the key is to present your unfinished degree on resume in a positive light.

Read on to see an unfinished degree on resume examples and get clarity on the following FAQs:

  • When should you include unfinished college on resume?
  • When should you skip including unfinished degree on resume?
  • How to list unfinished college on resume?
  • What are some unfinished degree on resume examples?
  • How to list college on resume?

When Should I List College on My Resume if I Didn't Graduate?

Here are some scenarios wherein you must list your unfinished degree on resume:

  • If you are still in college and your degree is in progress
  • If you are taking a break from college and plan to complete your education soon
  • If the degree aligns with the job profile you are targeting

And even if your situation doesn’t match the said scenarios, it’s advisable to be upfront about your unfinished degree in your resume because it shows relevant coursework, knowledge, and skills you have acquired.

Besides, you wouldn’t want the recruiters to find out about it after they hire you, as it’ll make your integrity seem questionable.

Also Read: How to write an impressive student resume?

When Should You Skip Including Unfinished College Education on Resume?

Yes, there are also certain cases where your unfinished degree can stay off your resume.

For instance, if you’re a professional with rich work experience, you don’t need to mention a degree you didn’t complete many years ago.

Also, if the degree isn’t related to your targeted job and eliminating your incomplete degree from your resume doesn’t create a significant gap in your career trajectory, you can very well do so.

How to Put Unfinished Degree on Resume?

Depending on your situation, there are different ways to address an unfinished degree on resume.

Take a look at the following scenarios and understand how you can put an unfinished degree on resume accordingly:

How to List Education in Progress on Resume

When you are currently pursuing a degree, you must mention your in-progress degree at the beginning of the education section in your resume.

Write the name of the degree, alongside the date of commencement and followed by the name of the university/college, location, and the expected graduation date.

You can follow the same approach while writing a resume with master's degree in progress.

Here’s an unfinished degree on resume example (when the degree is in progress):

Bachelor in Business Administration (2020 - Present) George State University Atlanta, GA Expected graduation: September 2024

You can also directly state that you're currently pursuing the degree in the following manner:

Master's in Business Administration (Currently pursuing) George State University Atlanta, GA

Provided you have an impressive GPA (3.5 or higher), notable academic achievements, and scholarships, you can mention these information as well.

This is especially important if you are a fresher with no work experience.

Here’s how you can add additional information under your in-progress degree:

Bachelor in Business Administration (2020 - Present) George State University Atlanta, GA Expected graduation: September, 2024 GPA: 3.6/4.0, Class President Awarded the Pristine Scholarship for academic excellence in 2021

Also Read: How to list education on resume

Unfinished Degree on Resume Example (Taking a Break from College)

In case you are taking a break from college but have plans to complete your degree, you can mention the same in your resume in the following way:

Bachelor’s in Mass Communication City College New York, NY Planned graduation date: May 2025

You can further explain your case to the recruiters and state your reasons for taking a break from college in a cover letter.

Also Read: How to list certification on resume?

Unfinished Degree on Resume Example (Gap in Employment Due to College)

If you have a gap in your work experience due to college, it’s important to show the employer that you are back in school to complete your degree.

Take a look at how you can present the same on your resume:

Bachelor’s in Mass Communication (2019 - Present) City College New York, NY Currently re-enrolled Completed 40 credit coursework in 2019-21 and took an academic leave.

Unfinished Degree on Resume Example (With no Intention of Completing the Degree)

Now, candidates who haven’t completed their degree and have no intention of completing it in the future can still include their unfinished degree on resume if it is relevant to the targeted job.

Instead of directly writing “incomplete” alongside the name of the degree, you can focus on the coursework you’ve completed and the number of credits you’ve earned.

Also, include any course projects that are related to the requirements of the position you’re applying for to support your case.

You can leverage the knowledge and skills you’ve learned while pursuing the degree, even if it is incomplete. All you need to do is know how to present it.

Given below are some examples of unfinished degrees on resume:

Greenfield University San Francisco, CA GPA: 3.5/4.0 Completed 50 credits towards a BA in English

Greenfield University (2020-2022) San Francisco, CA GPA: 3.5/4.0 Completed coursework: Media Writing Skills, Basics of Technical Writing, History of American English

Greenfield University San Francisco, CA GPA: 3.5/4.0 Completed 50 credits towards a BA in English Project: Wrote a research paper on the History of American Literature

Follow any of these approaches to list your unfinished bachelor’s or incomplete master's degree on resume to leverage it in your favor.

Also Read: How to list projects on resume?

How to List a College Degree on Resume?

If you've completed your degree and are wondering how to showcase your college education on resume, simply follow the following format:

  • The name of your degree
  • Your major/minor
  • The name of the institution/university
  • Location of your institution (city and state)
  • Commencement and completion date

Take a look at the following sample of the education section in a resume:

degree on resume example

Given below are some of the dos and don'ts you must follow while listing education, including unfinished degrees on resume:

Ensure that you put your highest degree at the top, followed by your older degrees. (This is the reverse-chronological format)

If you are a working professional with ample work experience, consider eliminating details about your high school while listing education on resume.

If you choose to use an abbreviation while listing your degree, like "MSc." instead of "Master's of Science", ensure follow the same approach while listing other degrees as well, to maintain uniformity. The same rule applies when you are writing the location as well.

You can rearrange the information according to its relevance while listing your education. Meaning, if your degree is not related to the job profile you're applying for, you can put the university name before your degree.

Also Read: How to write a resume with no experience?

Concluding Points

  • You can include your unfinished degree on resume if the degree is relevant to the job profile you are applying for.
  • You must focus on the completed coursework and credit rather than writing “incomplete” alongside the name of your degree.
  • It’s advisable to include your unfinished degree in your resume because it shows relevant coursework, knowledge, and skills that may be crucial for the targeted job profile.
  • Mention the expected graduation date or planned graduation date if you are currently pursuing the degree or are planning to complete the degree soon.
  • You can skip including an unfinished degree on resume if you have substantial work experience or if the degree is not relevant to the job you are applying for.
  • Consider mentioning your GPA (if it’s higher than 3.5) and including any notable academic achievements and scholarships that you have received.

If you need expert guidance on presenting an unfinished degree on your resume, reach out to us at [email protected] and visit our career platform that offers 24x7 chat support.

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How to List an Incomplete Education on a Resume

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How to List a Master's Degree You Just Started on a Resume

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Turning in the best resume you can put together is key to scoring a job interview. With only one to two pages to highlight your education, skills and experience, you want to do it right. Figuring out how to handle any incomplete education is a bit tricky, but in most cases, you’ll still want to include it.

Incomplete Education Related to Position

If your education aligns with your career goals or the specific position you’re applying for, you should definitely include that information. List your school name, your area of study and the dates you attended. Include some of the classes that relate to the position under your school name to improve your resume even more. It’s also a good idea to include how many credits you've completed.

University of Education , Business 2015-2017 Completed 70 credits toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Relevant Courses Included:

Financial Accounting Management Information Systems

Intro to Economics Business Administration

Marketing Human Resource Management

Lack of Other Education or Job Training

If your incomplete degree is the only formal education or job training you have, then you should include this information. In this case, you might also include clubs you participated in that show leadership skills or community service, as well as any honors you received or large projects you participated in. Including at least some education shows you have a dedication to furthering your education and experience.

University of Education, Business 2015-2017

Completed 70 credits toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Business

Honors and Awards: Dean’s List, Business School Freshman of the Year

Business Projects

Starlight Business Start-up Plan

  • Presented overview of start-up business and plans
  • Included information on what we were selling, our target market and competitors
  • Outlined plan for execution, including marketing and sales plan
  • Drafted financial plan for company

Large Gap in Employment History

If you didn’t work while you were going to school and excluding your education leaves a large gap in your employment history, put it on your resume even if there are no applicable courses. Any gaps in your resume are red flags for potential employers. Keep this section simple.

Currently Pursuing Degree

If your education is incomplete because you’re still pursuing your degree, you should definitely include this information. This is especially important if the degree you’re working toward is a requirement for your position. Include your expected graduation date and your grade point average as long as it’s above a 3.0.

University of Education, Anywhere, USA

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Expected Graduation May 2018

Regardless of the circumstances involving your incomplete education, if you have several years of work experience, place those first. Including your incomplete education at the bottom of your resume helps highlight your skill set and work experience rather than your unfinished degree.

In rare cases, when your resume is too long because you have plenty of work experience, leave out your incomplete education before you leave out any work experience.

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How to list an incomplete education on a resume.

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Even if you didn't complete your college education, the courses you took might still be relevant to your career and thus worth mentioning on your resume. As with all aspects of your resume, it's important to format the information carefully.

Formatting the Information

Information about your education typically goes in an "Education" or "Job Training" section in reverse chronological order , meaning the most recent education is listed at the top of the section. Write the educational institution you attended, your area of focus, and, in some cases, the dates you studied there. For example, you might say, "State University, Accounting, 2007-2009." If you are afraid that putting the dates in might reveal too much about your age and jeopardize your chances of landing an interview, leave the dates out.

Listing Individual Courses

If you've taken any courses that are particularly relevant to the job, write something like "courses in..." and then include the names of the courses. For example, if you're applying for an administrative assistant job and you took courses in bookkeeping or business writing, those courses would be worth mentioning. If you have lots of relevant work experience and your coursework doesn't have anything to do with the job for which you're applying, you don't necessarily have to include your courses. For some employers, however, the fact that you have some higher education can still be a positive, so in this case you want to mention the college courses you took. This might happen if you see a job listing that says "some college preferred."

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Some College On Resume: Listing Resume Education

Make the most out of your incomplete degree.

While education isn’t the key decisive factor to invite you for an interview , the hiring managers definitely take notice . A university degree shows that you are persistent and driven enough to succeed in the chosen field, and the prestigious school name can add you points . In certain fields, it also indicates that you have the necessary theoretical foundation to do the job well.

If you have a complete BA, MA or even PhD under your belt, you simply list it on a resume and call it a day. But what if you haven’t completed your college studies? You don’t want to create a gap in a resume, but you also don’t want to mislead the prospective employer. Today, our executive resume writers will throw light on listing an incomplete college degree and explain as follows:

  • When should you list an unfinished degree
  • Where in your resume an incomplete education should be placed, and
  • How to make your education count anyway.

Give your resume a professional upgrade

Whether you are still in college or graduated years ago, your resume should give the big picture of your professional background and position you well for the job. If you’re not happy with the way your resume looks or it doesn’t bring results, it’s time to seek expert help. The writing wizards from Resumeperk.com can prepare an impressive paper for you, focusing the recruiters’ attention on the strengths rather than shortcomings. We only work with in-house American or British writers and ensure your satisfaction with a written resume .

Why mention an unfinished degree?

Career experts agree that in most cases it’s worth it to list a college degree even if you only completed some credits toward it. Some higher education on a resume is better than none. Here are the main reasons why listing it is worth using:

• It shows alignment with your career goals . Let’s say you work in business analysis and plan to boost your career in this field. In this case, a degree in data science – even an incomplete one – will work as an asset, showing that you have relevant knowledge.

• It covers a resume gap . Does eliminating a degree create a gap in your employment history? In this case, it’s better to mention it. Employers don’t like the unexplained career gaps, so be sure to include the specific months and years of your college studies so that your career history looks consistent.

• You are still working towards it . If you’re still in college, whether you attend the lectures of your professor every day or took a semester off, you definitely should include your studies in progress. Below, we’ll recommend how to do it effectively.

During the interview, you’re most likely hear the question “Why should we hire you?” Here’s how to handle it professionally: https://resumeperk.com/blog/why-should-we-hire-you-sample-answers--tips .

When to leave your degree out?

Basically, there are two main cases:

• The area of study is irrelevant to the job . Let’s say you’ve studied accounting for a year, but have worked in media and communications for five years after that. In this case, listing that degree is pointless since it won’t add value to your resume.

• You’ve already completed a different degree . For example, you’ve once studied American History, but didn’t complete the credits towards a degree. And then you’ve obtained a BA in Marketing Management. In this case, you needn’t list the incomplete college studies.

How to list an unfinished degree?

Now, let’s consider the two main scenarios for listing some college degrees and how to do it positively.

♦️ Your degree is in progress right now

This case is pretty simple. You are a college student now, and intend to obtain a degree in the matter of years (or months). Here, you put your educational institution and a degree as if you were describing the complete degree, and include the date of getting a long-awaited diploma .

Take a look at a few pro examples:

1.University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA – Anticipated May 2021

BS in Engineering

2. Cornell University, New York, NY – Expected graduation 2022

BS in Design and Environmental Analysis

Current GPA 3.7

Along with the degree and university name, you may include the GPA, number of credits completed, or relevant coursework.

Do you feel that your college studies are not what you expected and would like to work in a different field? Take a look at our tips for turning your hobby into career . 

♦️ You don’t plan to complete an unfinished degree

You’ve spent a few months or years in college but haven’t completed a degree. Whether you left college for financial reasons, to focus on work or because you realized that you wanted to pursue a different profession, you can still reflect this degree positively. As a rule, you’ll need to include the university name and the area of study:

1.University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Completed 18 credits towards BA in Management

2. Williams College, Massachusetts, MA

Coursework: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Financial markets, Sustainable growth

In both examples, not only you draw the employer’s attention to the fact that you’ve attended some college, but also point out the relevant knowledge you’ve acquired. And even though this might not suffice to compete with the applicants who have completed their degrees, this absolutely adds up to your professional value.

Guidelines for listing education

Whether you are listing some university or a completed advanced degree, follow the recommendations :

♦️ Place the Education section correctly

There are two main variations: above and under your work experience. Put the education above work experience if you are now in college or graduated less than 2 years ago. Given the limited professional experience, the knowledge and skills you’ve gained in college are going to be the main asset for the employer.

Education is listed after experience if you went to college over 2 years ago, no matter if you have completed a degree or not. In this case, your experience and accomplishments are the main focus of the resume, and the education just adds up to that strong professional image, so it doesn’t need to be highlighted.

♦️ Be blatantly honest about your degree

Avoid listing an unfinished degree in a way that could potentially mislead the employer into thinking that you completed it. If you are listing the university name and the degree you worked towards, mention the number of credits or write down that you didn’t graduate. And, more importantly, avoid lying intentionally. Employers will do a reference check, and if they reveal the truth, they’ll withdraw an offer and reject your candidacy because of those lies. This rule applies to the rest of your resume content as well. Honesty is the best policy.

Want to make new friends in the office as soon as you’re hired? Check out how to get along well with colleagues .

♦️ Present your unfinished degree in the good light

You might be concerned because of the incomplete degree and the fact it might send the wrong message. However, there is a number of ways to list it positively:

• Include GPA , if high. If your GPA exceeds 3.5, mention this fact along with the name of the program you studied.

•  List the coursework. If you have studied marketing for 2 years, you might have completed such courses as Microeconomics, Accounting, Business communications, Calculus for business, and more. Even if you don’t have a degree, these courses will show that you have the basic educational background in this field.

• List academic projects. Have you prepared a research or community project as part of your college studies? List these projects, if relevant for your target job. This will show your orientation for delivering results and getting things done.

♦️ Focus on alternative education and courses

If you never pursued a degree, it makes sense for you to highlight the education and training you got on the job or outside college. Workshops, MOOCs, corporate training and courses count as educational background as well, so it’s important that you list all relevant training under Professional Development section. The fact that you continuously grow and develop in the profession through training and learning means that you’re an ambitious and result-driven individual.

Moreover, your training can partially compensate for an incomplete degree: some employers will prefer the ongoing education to a degree completed years ago.

Are you planning to enter the technology industry? Here’s how to start a career in tech this year: https://resumeperk.com/blog/how-to-start-a-career-in-tech-10-expert-tips .

♦️ Apply even if the job listing requires a complete degree

A good share of job listings you’ll find online will require at least a Bachelor’s degree as minimum educational requirements. Even if you didn’t make it to a degree, make an attempt to apply anyway. Many employers see a degree as a desired requirement, not a mandatory one. This means that they’ll be glad to hire someone who can get the job done even if the candidate doesn’t have a diploma. So, if based on the relevant experience you’ve gained you believe that you can excel in the position, apply anyway. And you may use a cover letter to explain what previous experience prepared you for this position even though you don’t have a degree.

♦️ Emphasize your key selling points

As we’ve mentioned above, your degree is important, but it’s not a key decisive factor (we are not speaking about the professions that require a state license to be allowed to do the job). Your career history must have something that you can brag about and what makes you a strong candidate for the job. Maybe, you’ve acquired and retained lots of high-profile clients for your previous employer, saved costs dramatically or delivered projects on time.

Put these accomplishments closer to the top of your resume to focus the employer’s attention on them. If you have a strong skill set and accomplishment track record to offer, the fact that you lack in formal education won’t matter much.

Get professional resume advice

Today, the formal education is losing its importance. Even the top tech giants like Google are willing to hire someone without a college degree. If you still have concerns about reflecting something on a resume effectively, our experts can help. Send us your resume, and one of our resume creators will review it and give recommendations on what should be improved. The writer will cover content, writing style, keywords, design, and more.

Are you serious about landing a new job as soon as possible and are willing to pay expert to write my resume for me ? We also offer affordable resume writing services and 20% off for all new clients. Contact us on support chat to request your discount code.

Our experienced writers can create a powerful resume suitable for each position. However, you may also request a specific resume depending on the job you are applying for, thus it will be tailored individually for your profession:

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COMMENTS

  1. How to List an Unfinished Degree on a Resume (With Examples)

    Here's an example of how to list an unfinished degree on your resume: SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY - Syracuse, NY. 2017-2019. If you took some courses related to the job, include those under your university information. You can list them by individual courses taken or by number of credits earned in a certain area of study.

  2. Expert Tips: How to Put Incomplete Degree on Resume

    3) Include the Dates You Completed Your Studies. For each degree listed in the education section, it is a resume writing convention to only include the date you completed the degree. If you did not complete the degree, list both the months and years you studied at the university, for the avoidance of doubt.

  3. How to Put Unfinished College Degree on Resume in 2024

    How to Put College on a Resume If You Didn't Graduate. You don't really want to include your college degree program and then write "incomplete" at the end. That doesn't exactly look wonderful. Simply note down the school you attended (name, dates you attended, and amount of credit hours you finished). Skip the GPA if below 3.5.

  4. How to List Unfinished College Degree on a Resume + Examples

    Here are three more examples that specify the type of unfinished college degree sought: 1. Unfinished degree on resume example (incomplete bachelor's): Westgate College Sun Prairie, ID. 45 credit hours to a bachelor's degree Sociology. GPA: 3.8. 2. Unfinished degree on resume example (incomplete master's degree):

  5. How to Put an Unfinished Degree on a Resume (with Examples)

    Here's an example of how to add an unfinished degree that you're no longer pursuing to your resume: EDUCATION. Bachelor of Business Administration | XYZ University. Completed 80/120 credit hours, including finance, management, and marketing. Served as President of the Finance Club.

  6. How to List an Unfinished Degree on a Resume (With Examples)

    This is a complete example of an incomplete degree on a resume, but that doesn't mean you can't add more information if you want to. If you received honors or awards during the time that you pursued this degree or if your GPA was 3.5 or higher, feel free to include this information as bullet points beneath your degree.. Just keep in mind that resume space is limited and if you have work ...

  7. Listing an Unfinished Degree on Your Resume [+ 10 Examples]

    Here's a simple step by step guide on how to list an incomplete degree on your resume: Create a section titled 'Education.'. This should go below your experience section unless you're a current student or very recent graduate with limited work experience. List the name and location of the school. List the name of the degree you studied.

  8. Should I Put In An Incomplete Degree On A Resume?

    Keep it simple. Include your school name and its location, but that is the absolute minimum of information. If you want, you can include the years attended, and your grade point average (above 3.5). You can include extracurricular activities, memberships, research projects, and anything else you consider relevant.

  9. How to Put an Unfinished Degree on Your Resume (With Tips)

    Here are some important steps outlining how to put an unfinished degree on your resume: 1. List your majors and minors first. It's acceptable to list any majors or minors for the university program you attended instead of your degree. The focus of your studies often more directly relates your experience with the role you're applying for.

  10. How to List an Unfinished College Degree on Your Resume

    The first thing to consider is whether your incomplete degree is relevant to the job you're applying for. If your unfinished degree is relevant to the job, you can list it on your resume. Include the name of the institution, the degree program, and your expected graduation date. You can also include relevant work experience, coursework ...

  11. How to Put Unfinished Degree on Resume w/ Examples [Resume Writing

    Mention the program name. Name of institution. Location. Expected graduation date. When it comes to how to put the expected graduation date on the resume, the year will suffice and it is optional to add the month. There is no need to write a lot of details for elaborating your education in progress on your resume.

  12. How to List Education on a Resume in 2022 (With Examples & Tips)

    1) Adding High School and GED on Resume. If your highest level of education is a high school diploma or a GED, this should still be included as there are many jobs that are open to high school graduates as well as college graduates. Generally, this type of education section should be kept short and sweet.

  13. Unfinished Degree On A Resume: 4 Examples

    Still, you can promote the type of research you did, especially if it's relevant to the position you are after. To list an unfinished P.h.D degree on your resume do this: State enrollment years (e.g. 2018-present or 2018-2022) Write the university name. List your research subject or title of your dissertation.

  14. How To List Education on a Resume (With Examples)

    Listing your education on a resume should be strategic and concise. It's essential to highlight the most relevant and recent educational experiences that align with the job requirements. Focus on providing key details such as the degree earned, institution name and graduation year. Emphasize any honors, scholarships or academic achievements ...

  15. How To Address An Incomplete Degree On Your Resume

    1. List the college you went to, the program area you studied, and dates you attended school. You're not including a degree here because one was not awarded. 2. State the university you attended, relevant courses you completed (especially if they're related to a position you're pursuing), and dates you attended the school. You have to be ...

  16. How to Put Unfinished Degree on Resume?

    Example 3: Greenfield University. San Francisco, CA. GPA: 3.5/4.0. Completed 50 credits towards a BA in English. Project: Wrote a research paper on the History of American Literature. Follow any of these approaches to list your unfinished bachelor's or incomplete master's degree on resume to leverage it in your favor.

  17. How to List a Degree on a Resume

    How to list a bachelor's degree on a resume. You should list your bachelor's degree along with your university's name, dates of study, major, GPA (if a 3.5 or above), minor (if applicable), and honors and relevant coursework. Similar to an associate's degree, there are numerous ways to abbreviate different types of bachelor's degrees.

  18. How to List Education on a Resume [+ Examples]

    Let's start with the basics— what to include in your resume education section: Your most recent degree (or education in progress) The name of your school. Location of your school. Dates attended and graduation date (or expected graduation date) Your GPA (only if it's above 3.5) Your field of study and degree major.

  19. How to List a Degree on a Resume (Associate, Bachelor's, MA)

    Put it either before or after the experience section (depending on your experience). List all your degrees in the education section of your resume. Put your degrees on a resume in the reverse-chronological order. Consider adding extra information about your degree on a resume (e.g. GPA, Latin honors, coursework, etc.).

  20. How to List an Incomplete Education on a Resume

    Currently Pursuing Degree. If your education is incomplete because you're still pursuing your degree, you should definitely include this information. This is especially important if the degree you're working toward is a requirement for your position. Include your expected graduation date and your grade point average as long as it's above ...

  21. How to List an Incomplete Education on a Resume

    Formatting the Information. Information about your education typically goes in an "Education" or "Job Training" section in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent education is listed at the top of the section. Write the educational institution you attended, your area of focus, and, in some cases, the dates you studied there.

  22. Some College On Resume: Listing Resume Education

    You might be concerned because of the incomplete degree and the fact it might send the wrong message. However, there is a number of ways to list it positively: • Include GPA, if high. If your GPA exceeds 3.5, mention this fact along with the name of the program you studied. • List the coursework.

  23. How to include an incomplete degree : r/resumes

    JamesRitchey. • 2 yr. ago. The process for listing an incomplete degree is pretty much the same as a complete one, except you would: exclude the degree heading, list your enrollment time span instead of your graduation date, and need to include some details beyond this (eg: credits, courses, etc) so it's clear what you achieved. Examples: