Do I List An Incomplete Degree On My Resume?

[iheartscience]

I recently relocated so I had to withdraw from my Masters of Public Health program in my previous city. I'm job-hunting right now and am unsure if I should put the incomplete MPH on my resume. So far I haven't, but the courses I did complete are definitely applicable to the jobs I'm looking into. Should I mention it in my Education section? And if so, how exactly should I list it?

Any help would be appreciated!

ETA to write out what an MPH is!

 

[TravelingGal]

I'm no expert on this, but could you put Masters of X program - X semesters completed (or X courses completed).

 

[Haven]

I would include it if your experience is applicable to the job, absolutely.

I don't know how your resume is formatted, but I would do something like this:

Master of Public Health Program, (concentration?) – Pricescope University, City, State
Graduate courses in public health concentration xyz (XX hours -or- XX classes)

I know nothing about MPH programs, so if you don't have concentrations then obviously that wouldn't apply.

 

[suchende]

I've seen people put (in progress). It's a good way of letting people know you haven't given up on it yet, just aren't done (if that's the case).

 

[iheartscience]

Thanks TGal and Haven! I think I'm definitely going to add it and I like the formats you both suggested. Edit: Haven, I did have a concentration, so that's perfect! I'll play around with it and see what looks best. Sigh...I hate applying to jobs.

suchende-I would normally do that, but since I'm not going to finish it at my previous school I don't think it's quite right in this situation. It would be a lot easier if it was!

 

[VRBeauty]

By all means include it and identify the coursework you've completed. Just be very careful not to give the impression that you have the degree or have completed the program. I've seen someone not be hired specifically because they gave the impression they had already earned a degree they were in fact still working towards.

 

[JewelFreak]

Yeah, if it applies to the field you're looking at, definitely. Shows you're serious about a career & advancement.

 

[kama_s]

Hmm....I'm not as sure. There is a chance it can backfire, if the person reading your resume assumes it means you completed that degree. Personally, I would put it under 'applicable education/coursework' and then detail it further in your coverletter.

 

[iheartscience]

Hmm....I'm not as sure. There is a chance it can backfire, if the person reading your resume assumes it means you completed that degree. Personally, I would put it under 'applicable education/coursework' and then detail it further in your coverletter.

Yeah actually once I added it last night, it did give the impression that I had completed it, so I'm back to not knowing what to do. I think I might change the heading from Education to Education/Coursework and just add the classes I took. And list my BS degree above the completed classes. So it would look something like this:

Education/Coursework
Pricescope University, City, State
BS, Psychology

Pricescope University, City, State
Graduate Courses:
Biostatistics I
Public Health Policy and Politics

What do you think about that?

ETA thank you VRBeauty and JewelFreak!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I would and have. I listed it under "misc". as completed coursework toward such & such degree/program/University/year. It also help/goes toward explaining an absence (gap in resume) from the work force.

cheers--Sharon

 

[iheartscience]

HI:

I would and have. I listed it under "misc". as completed coursework toward such & such degree/program/University/year. It also help/goes toward explaining an absence (gap in resume) from the work force.

cheers--Sharon

Thanks Sharon! You and kama are making me think I need more sections on my resume...I just have experience and education right now. I have taken several short classes in a few computer programs that I could also put under an "Additional Education" heading.

 

[swimmer]

How much have you completed? That really makes a difference. Like I'm abd, and have totally put that on my cv for the ahem, years, it has taken me to write the beast. If you are two or three courses into a 12 course program, then just list it under "Additional Education" or something separate but distinct. However, if you have completed some serious work, then list it under education, but with the dates attended section for that entry put the year you anticipate completing it (even if that involves transferring b/c of the move).

mostly, GOOD LUCK!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

The job market is too competitive to give off the impression that you didn't complete your degree, relocation or not, because a lot of other people applying probably will have. I'd list under applicable coursework.

Good luck!

 

[megumic]

I think you should list it for sure. Otherwise, you're kind of holding back on sharing something that could in fact help you, and the potential employer will see a gap in your resume (presuming you were at school full time.) Not to mention, full disclosure is important for a first impression.

I'd list it, and then indicate when you anticipate finishing it. I'm a law student, so I list my education and put "J.D. Candidate, May 2011" -- this only works if you have a projected completion date. So let's pretend you want to work until 2012 and then finish in May 2014. I'd put that on your resume, and then perhaps explain in the interview that you wanted to gain relevant work experience and then pursue finishing your degree part-time at night with an anticipated completion date of May 2014. I don't think it matters that it would be a different institution, because you'd still list both institutions as places were you took coursework toward that degree.

I just think it's most important to be upfront and honest and make a good story for yourself. Make it seem like you've made calculated decisions that have landed you where you are and that everything is going according to plan, even if life has thrown you a curve ball or two along the way.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Hmm....I'm not as sure. There is a chance it can backfire, if the person reading your resume assumes it means you completed that degree. Personally, I would put it under 'applicable education/coursework' and then detail it further in your coverletter.

Yeah actually once I added it last night, it did give the impression that I had completed it, so I'm back to not knowing what to do. I think I might change the heading from Education to Education/Coursework and just add the classes I took. And list my BS degree above the completed classes. So it would look something like this:

Education/Coursework
Pricescope University, City, State
BS, Psychology

Pricescope University, City, State
Graduate Courses:
Biostatistics I
Public Health Policy and Politics

What do you think about that?

I would do what you have here if you do not plan to finish the MPH. It is honest but also does not make it look like you are a "giver upper" or a drop out, which is the problem of saying "incomplete degree" or something of that nature. The person reading it will not know why you took those classes, could have been personal interest or general improvement of your skills. You can explain the context at an interview.

If you plan to finish, I would put it as "in progress, interrputed for relocation" (or the like) n the eduction section like Haven suggested.

 

[iheartscience]

How much have you completed? That really makes a difference. Like I'm abd, and have totally put that on my cv for the ahem, years, it has taken me to write the beast. If you are two or three courses into a 12 course program, then just list it under "Additional Education" or something separate but distinct. However, if you have completed some serious work, then list it under education, but with the dates attended section for that entry put the year you anticipate completing it (even if that involves transferring b/c of the move).

mostly, GOOD LUCK!

swimmer-I'm only 7 credits in and it was a 45 credit program. I would like to complete it but first I have to establish residency in my new state to get in-state tuition and then I have to try to transfer. So it'll be a while before I actually complete it.

I'm leaning towards just listing the courses since I'm not far along. I've taken other classes (not for credit) for a few different statistical programs so I can also list those in the same section.

 

[iheartscience]

Hmm....I'm not as sure. There is a chance it can backfire, if the person reading your resume assumes it means you completed that degree. Personally, I would put it under 'applicable education/coursework' and then detail it further in your coverletter.

Yeah actually once I added it last night, it did give the impression that I had completed it, so I'm back to not knowing what to do. I think I might change the heading from Education to Education/Coursework and just add the classes I took. And list my BS degree above the completed classes. So it would look something like this:

Education/Coursework
Pricescope University, City, State
BS, Psychology

Pricescope University, City, State
Graduate Courses:
Biostatistics I
Public Health Policy and Politics

What do you think about that?

I would do what you have here if you do not plan to finish the MPH. It is honest but also does not make it look like you are a "giver upper" or a drop out, which is the problem of saying "incomplete degree" or something of that nature. The person reading it will not know why you took those classes, could have been personal interest or general improvement of your skills. You can explain the context at an interview.

If you plan to finish, I would put it as "in progress, interrputed for relocation" (or the like) n the eduction section like Haven suggested.

Dreamer-now you're making me question my previous post! The wording "in progress, interrupted for relocation" does sound better and would make it more clear. Hmmm...I would like to finish it, but that's going to depend on a few different things happening. (Getting residency, getting hired in a job with tuition reimbursement, getting accepted to another school, etc.) I think I'll probably stick with just listing the courses for now since there are so many contingencies right now.

Another question: how should I list them to show that they were graduate level classes? Or should I just not worry about that?

 

[iheartscience]

And thank you MC and megumic for your input! I knew PSers would be able to help me out!

 

[VRBeauty]

Another question: how should I list them to show that they were graduate level classes? Or should I just not worry about that?

Yes, you should indicate that they were graduate level courses. How about using something like this:

Pricescope University, City, State
Graduate Courses:
Biostatistics I
Public Health Policy and Politics



ETA I wouldn't put the degree as "in progress" since - as I read it - you're not currently enrolled or accepted to another program, and you're not that far into the graduate program yet. Better to list the classes you've already completed, and take the opportunity to explain if the question comes up.