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

7 min read · Updated on December 07, 2023

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?

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Expert Tips: How to Put Incomplete Degree 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
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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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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.

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.

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.

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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Should I Put In An Incomplete Degree On A Resume?

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.

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.

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.

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 an Unfinished Degree on Your Resume

When you’re working on a college degree or withdrew before graduating, you may wonder how to list an unfinished degree in the resume education section. Learn more about how to handle this situation to optimize your resume.

If you’ve attended college but not graduated, you may wonder how to list an incomplete degree on your resume. You may think it’s best to leave it out, especially if it’s not needed for the position you’re applying for, but employers are interested in what you studied, even if you didn’t complete a degree program.

This article explores ways to craft the education section of a resume if you haven’t finished a degree program. We’ll examine how to position your education to highlight the coursework relevant to the position you're applying for. 

What are employers looking for in a resume? 

A resume tells prospective employers about your work experience, education, and skills. A resume helps an employer determine how you’ll fit into the position and the company itself. It’s a brief overview, typically one or two pages, that describes the following:

Summary of your strengths and career objectives 

Work experience 

Additional information, such as awards, skills, and interests

Your resume should include all the information an employer needs to ensure you have the qualifications necessary for the position and schedule an interview. 

Why is listing your education on your resume important? 

Your education gives potential employers an idea about the skills you may have. Although it is only one of the factors that hiring managers look at, it’s essential to remember that your resume is your introduction to prospective employers and a critical tool to help you get an interview if you meet the qualifications they seek. Employers want to ensure your education aligns with the position. Education can also substitute for a lack of work experience. 

Even if you’ve only taken some college courses, list the ones related to the job you're applying for. Doing so helps prospective employers see that you have gained relevant skills and knowledge. It’s especially beneficial if you’ve never worked in the field or have little experience. 

College coursework shows prospective employers that you may need minimal training. If the courses you completed match the required skills, it can save the employer the time and cost of training.

How to list an unfinished degree on your resume 

It’s vital to phrase things positively and honestly on your resume. Whether you’ve withdrawn from college, changed majors that delayed your graduation date, or are working toward an undergraduate degree, word the education section of a resume positively. Replace words such as “incomplete” or “unfinished” with action-oriented words like “accomplished” and “demonstrated” to highlight your education.

If you are attending college but haven’t finished your program or left and have no immediate plans to return, you should list any relevant coursework and the year or years you attended. 

Many employers use the National Student Clearinghouse to verify college attendance, so you should be honest about your education. You likely won’t get an interview if the information doesn’t match. Before applying for jobs, you can request your information from the Clearinghouse to ensure its accuracy.  

You may need to tailor your resume’s education section each time you apply to a position to meet the specific employer’s requirements. Some information is standard; however, you can tailor your education to include coursework relevant to the position. 

List school and degree program title.

First, list the school you attended and the degree program title. You only need to list your high school education if a specific course relates to the position you’re seeking. For example, if you’re applying for a job requiring Spanish fluency and took four years of Spanish in high school, you’ll want to add it to your resume. 

Include the expected completion date.

If you currently attend college, include your expected completion date. If you withdrew, note the number of credits earned, the enrolled program, and the years attended. 

You can highlight your college experience by listing relevant courses, internships, or honors received while attending. You might want to add your GPA. Many employers in technical fields want to know prospective employees' GPAs, while other employers might not find it as significant as other qualifications.

Include relevant majors and minors.

You’ll want to list any majors and minors. You can specify courses you took that are relevant to the position and your major GPA if you feel it will reflect favorably on your performance. You should list your major first, followed by your minor. You can also include relevant coursework and any extracurricular activities you participated in if you lack work experience.

Include professional development. 

If you lack academic requirements, you can add any job training you received and workshops and seminars you’ve attended. If you’re attending college, you can also opt to list activities you engage in that are relevant to the job you’re applying for or the skills employers seek.

Include any relevant projects.

If you worked on any school or work projects related to the position you’re seeking, add them to the education section. This is also an excellent opportunity to share the link to your online portfolio of projects if you have one. 

An example education section with an unfinished degree

You’ll want to add the information to your education section if you have college credits but not a degree. You can write it as follows:

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Completed 64 credit hours toward a BS in computer science, 2018 - 2020.  

You should include related coursework and any other academic information, such as honors and certificates. Some colleges offer micro-credentials and other certificate programs that can boost the education section of your resume.

Other factors to consider 

The resume template you choose will dictate where you’ll list your education. Many templates are available for specific disciplines, such as nursing, education, technology, and the arts. Some templates lead with the education section, so if you haven’t completed a degree program, you might consider beginning with experience and adding education at the end.

If the coursework you completed or the degree program you’re enrolled in isn’t related to the position you’re applying for, consider moving the education section at the end of your resume. Begin relevant details that help highlight your unique qualifications for the position.  

Get started with Coursera.

Having a degree is only one aspect of what employers are looking for. Crafting an effective resume that shows potential employers all you have to offer is an essential component of applying for a job. You can find several helpful options on Coursera to help you improve your resume writing skills. 

For example, the State University of New York offers a seven-module course on How to Write a Resume you can complete in approximately five hours. Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters, offered by the University of Maryland, College Park, is a 12-hour course that can help you hone your writing skills while earning a certificate to add to your resume. 

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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How to Put Unfinished Degree on Resume w/ Examples [Resume Writing Guideline]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Should I Include Unfinished Education on My Resume?

How to put unfinished degree on a resume/cv, tips on how to add unfinished education to a resume, how to boost your resume/cv with no or an unfinished college degree.

You're looking to get into your dream career, but don't have a degree or it’s still in progress. You think this hinders your job prospects and start asking yourself the following questions:

"What can I do?"

"How to write an unfinished degree on my resume?"

"Should I put my unfinished education on my resume?"

Such questions may arise, along with what employers might think when they see an unfinished degree on a resume . However, there is no need to worry. Lacking academic credentials should not undermine your value as a candidate. Whether you didn’t complete your degree or you are currently getting one, this article will provide tips and examples on how to list an unfinished degree on a resume.

You may think including an unfinished degree on your resume may not be appealing to employers, and you are concerned about what they might think of you. However, this is wrong as readers may have a different outlook once they glance at your resume. Moreover, having an unfinished degree on your resume is not the worst-case scenario if you know in what situations you can list an incomplete degree on your resume.

When You Should Put Unfinished Degrees in Your Resume

• The incomplete education is related to the position.

This is usually a wise practice, as your previous education in the field may be related to your future profession. Even if it’s an unfinished degree on your CV/resume, it displays your education is still relevant to the position. 

• You lack relevant education or training in the job.

If you do not have any previous education or training, you may not have enough experience in the field of work for which you are applying. However, this is not the same as having no qualification at all. If your qualifications are limited, listing an unfinished degree on your resume is better than displaying no education at all.

• There is a significant gap in your work history.

This issue should be addressed by showing you were studying or doing something productive to cover the gap. Even if the unfinished degree on your resume is not relevant to the job, it is better to have it in your resume/CV than not having anything at all.  

• You are currently still pursuing the degree .

When it comes to listing an ongoing degree on a resume, consider listing the name of degree, school name, and mention it is currently “ongoing” or the expected graduation date. 

• You are not going to/did not finish the education.

If you're not going to finish your education, you'll need to come up with a way to make your unfinished degree on your resume look as good as possible. Including your GPA, relevant courses, and extracurricular activities are good practices on how to put college on your resume if you didn't graduate or you plan to not finish your studies.

When You Should Leave Out Unfinished Degrees in Your Resume

• You are already an experienced professional with enough experience.

Having an unfinished degree on your resume when you have solid experience should be the least of concerns. Even if you don’t know how to include an unfinished degree on your resume. 

• You performed really poorly.

If your GPA is below 3.0, it is best to leave it out. Displaying an unfinished education on a resume along with poor academic performance will do no good to your job prospects.

When it comes to how to add unfinished education to a resume, the most common elements that should be present are school name, degree name, years of study, and any relevant coursework or achievements. Generally speaking, academic sections are brief, so an unfinished education on a resume should not be extensive.

Regarding how to write an unfinished degree on a resume, there are two cases, which are to be covered in this part.

Ongoing Degree on Resume

Let’s say you are on the job hunt, yet you still need to graduate or finish your studies. You might ask yourself: How to write an ongoing degree in your resume? Well, this is no hard task.

Here are the following things to consider when listing an ongoing degree on a resume:

• Mention the program name
• Name of institution
• 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.

Here is an example of a degree in progress on a resume:

University of Washington | 2016 -  Ongoing  BA in Business Administration - GPA: 3.8 Expected graduation date: 2020

Got any apprenticeships or achievements?

Listing any of these with a degree in progress on your resume gives you the advantage to show you have valuable skills based on your studies. Some examples in this situation for an unfinished degree on a resume are relevant courses, achievements, apprenticeships, teaching or research assistance, projects, or studies abroad.

Here is another example of having an unfinished degree on resume with the aforementioned aspects:

University of Davenport | 2014 - Ongoing  Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting Expected graduation: May 2018 Awards: Student of the Year 2015 Completed Medical Research Apprenticeship

As shown above, any information that will be a plus should be included when drafting an ongoing degree on your resume. When it comes to how to list education in progress on your resume, make sure you have enough space for your education section.

💡   Tip: Other than the essential details such as school name, degree title, and GPA, knowing how to put an ongoing degree in a resume with the extracurricular stuff relies on what employers seek. If they value relevant experience more than studies, listing apprenticeships or internships prevails over academic awards.

Did Not Graduate

As for the second situation, you are wondering, “should I include unfinished education on my resume?” You obviously think writing “unfinished” or “incomplete” in your unfinished education section on a resume does not look good, but it really depends on how you display it in your education section.

Let’s take a look at each example for an unfinished degree on a resume.

Example of how to list an unfinished Ph.D. degree on a resume:

Columbia University, NY Graduate Work in Economics

Perhaps listing the university and program may suit more than university name + degree. Besides showing it’s an unfinished degree on your resume, it is best to not mislead or lie that you possess a degree you didn’t finish. 

Here is another example using an unfinished masters degree on a resume:

Columbia University, NY MBA Program

• Completed 30 credits towards an MBA
• Relevant projects: Sustainable Finance

This example contains roles and information about your progress for an incomplete degree on a resume. Examples that show progress on your resume with an unfinished degree are the number of credits obtained and relevant courses.

Here is another example of how to list an unfinished bachelor degree:

Columbia University New York, NY | (2014-2016)

• Relevant courses: Investment and Portfolio Analysis, Corporate Finance, Supply Chain Management.

📝  Note: All three examples are not exclusive to a degree type and they can be interchangeably used for an unfinished degree on your resume.

Here are three tips to further help you if you have an unfinished degree on your resume:

💡 Create a portfolio/personal website if you have an unfinished degree on your resume.

Whether you didn’t finish your degree or your education is still in progress, having a portfolio on your resume can be helpful. You can display assignments or any kind of work for employers to show your value and your efforts during your studies. On the other hand, a personal website is a good approach to show yourself in ways a resume or a CV with an unfinished degree is unable to do. Moreover, having a personal website shows you took time and effort to show what you bring to the table despite having an unfinished degree in your resume.

💡 Opt for an objective statement.

Unless you have a good amount of experience to outweigh an unfinished degree on your resume, an objective statement can be more suitable than a resume summary. An objective statement can show your ambition and goals. Moreover, you can describe how you will help the company regardless of having an unfinished degree in your resume.

💡 Prioritize qualifications obtained on education.

If you have a lot of qualifications obtained during your studies, prioritize which ones shall be listed on your resume regarding an unfinished degree. This will help you focus on what elements are important as you may not be able to include everything in your resume.

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Still keen for more tips and suggestions on how to write an unfinished degree on a resume?Here are three tips that will help you boost your resume/CV with an unfinished degree:

✨ Include other personal/professional projects that are relevant to the position .

Showing any relevant projects can give you an edge, especially if you have an ongoing or unfinished degree on your resume. Whether you are still studying or you have an unfinished education, relevant projects on your resume show you are capable of the job.

✨ Create a skills section to highlight your existing hard and soft skills.

Skills can be a decider for getting that interview you are aiming for, as they compensate for an unfinished degree on your resume. You have a specific set of skills acquired therefore it’s relevant to include them if your education is in progress on your resume.

✨ Go for informal or non-formal education. (i.e. online learning, on-the-job training, etc.) .

There is no better way to educate yourself than learning something online to cover any unfinished education on a resume. We have discussed how to put college on your resume if you didn't graduate, so adding a certification from online training or courses shouldn’t be an issue.

🔑  Key Takeaways:

• Listing an unfinished degree on your resume is recommended in general except for certain situations such as already possessing vast experience or poor academic performance.
• When it comes to how to list your education on a resume if you are still in college, adding the expected graduation date is key. If you didn't graduate,  there are many ways on how to put your college background in your resume with the examples provided before.
• Using personal websites, adding online courses, and any relevant achievements or coursework you undertook in college/university will boost your chances to get an interview, even if your resume relies on an unfinished degree.

--- Originally written by Jose J. Rosales ---

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How to write an unfinished degree on your CV

Should you list an unfinished degree on your CV?

Well, it really depends on your situation.

In some instances, it’s worth including it on your CV – it can help a potential employer to see the knowledge and skills you have acquired at university, even if you haven’t completed the course.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to include an unfinished degree and share some real-life examples with you.

CV templates 

2 examples of an unfinished degree on your CV

Let’s delve into two separate scenarios when it comes to including an unfinished degree on your CV .

First, we’ll look at how to present a degree that is still in progress, in other words, one you are in the midst of already but haven’t yet completed.

Then, we’ll look in detail at how to present it on your CV if you had to discontinue your university journey before finishing your degree.

A degree in progress

If you are still studying for your degree but interested in applying for a job, adding your degree to your CV can show employers plenty of relevant skills and knowledge.

For example, if you are applying for a marketing assistant position and are currently enrolled in a digital marketing degree program, mentioning this shows that you have plenty of valuable skills for the job.

In this case, you need to highlight your degree, and when you expect to graduate in the ‘Education’ section of your CV – this paints a clearer picture of your educational journey for hiring managers.

You can strengthen this section even more by adding extra details that underscore your qualifications and skills in line with the job you are applying for.

For example, you could mention any specific coursework or academic achievements relating to the role you are interested in.

For instance, perhaps you completed coursework in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and were also awarded a Certificate of Excellence for outstanding performance in the “Digital Marketing Strategies” module.

Don’t hesitate to highlight anything relevant to your target jobs.

A degree stopped before completion

If you had to stop your university degree for a reason outside your control, just be honest about the situation.

Let’s say you couldn’t finish your degree because of a severe health condition, whether it was your own health or that of a family member.

Make it clear that you couldn’t finish your degree – this is important for employers as it shows transparency and provides context for any gaps in your education.

What’s more, displaying an incomplete degree allows you to highlight all of the skills and experience you picked up prior to leaving – providing plenty of opportunities to prove your suitability for the jobs you are applying to.

Should you include an unfinished degree on your CV?

The decision to include an unfinished degree on your CV depends on your specific situation.

Let’s look at three possible scenarios.

If you’re still studying

Mentioning your ongoing education on your CV can be a positive move as it shows you are committed to advancing your skills and knowledge.

It’s better to include your unfinished degree on your CV than not, especially if you can prove that your education is hugely relevant to the position you are applying for.

If you are still studying at university , expressing this on your CV is attractive to prospective employers.

It tells them you are dedicated to education and sets clear expectations for them in terms of your expected graduation date.

If you’ve stopped studying for a justified reason

If you have stopped your degree for a justified cause, it’s well worth including your unfinished degree on your CV, particularly if it’s a good fit for your career goals .

Here are just some of the justified reasons for stopping a degree:

• Health problems –  Severe health issues can seriously affect your academic journey, whether you suffer from them or are caring for a sick family member.
• Financial restraints –  If you are struggling financially and can’t afford the tuition fees or living expenses, you may be forced to stop your education.
• Family commitments –  You may need to prioritise family commitments, like becoming a parent or caring for a loved one, over finishing your degree.
• Personal challenges –  If you are suffering from a mental health problem, this can affect your ability to finish your degree.
• Change in career goals – Realising that your preferred field of study isn’t right for your career goals may lead you to reassess your educational journey.

In any of these cases, it’s wise to include your unfinished degree, especially if it corresponds with your career plans.

Explain the justified reason for stopping your degree on your CV, such as health problems, as this can positively impact your CV by showing resilience, relevant skills, and commitment despite challenging circumstances.

If you’ve stopped studying for an unjustifiable reason

If you’ve left university for reasons that can’t be justified, this is a slightly more delicate situation.

Concentrate on your other experiences and qualifications rather than including your unfinished degree on your CV.

Some unjustifiable reasons for stopping your university degree include:

• Being expelled – This will raise concerns about your conduct, reliability, and capacity to play by the rules.
• A lack of interest – If you abandoned your degree purely because you lost interest, this doesn’t add value because it implies a lack of dedication and capacity to follow through on long-term goals.

Stating you have an unfinished degree without a valid reason can negatively impact your CV.

It raises questions about your commitment, dependability, and decision-making abilities in the eyes of hiring managers.

So, if your reason for not finishing your degree is likely to put recruiters off – it’s best to leave it off your CV.

How to write an unfinished degree on your CV  

When you are adding an unfinished degree to your CV, think about these points:

How to format an unfinished degree on a CV

Here’s how to format your unfinished degree on your CV so it looks professional and is easy for recruiters to read:

• Head with university, subject and dates – Use bold text for your degree, university name, and expected graduation date to make it easier to read and to highlight the key pieces of information. Avoid putting your entire degree description (such as modules, coursework, and the number of credits) in bold, just the essential details.
• Use a bullet point – Use a bullet point to present your degree subject, university name and expected graduation date to make it easy for hiring managers to review. This provides a structured format for displaying essential details so that potential employers can quickly grasp vital specifics about your education.

What to include

When it comes to mentioning your unfinished degree in the education section of your CV, you will need to include:

• The name of your university – For example, “ Durham University ” or “ The University of Manchester .”
• Degree subject – Specify the unfinished degree you’re pursuing or the degree that you studied. For example, “Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature (Incomplete).”
• The expected graduation date (if relevant) – For example, “Expected graduation: August 2021.”
• A rationale – If you have stopped the degree, add a short, justifiable explanation about why you had to stop. For instance, “I had to pause my studies because of a family emergency that required my immediate support. This unexpected situation made it temporarily impossible for me to carry on with my English Literature degree.”
• Awards and honours – Any honours or awards you gained. For example, “Awarded the Academic Scholarship Award for academic achievement and excellence.” This shows tangible evidence of success in your educational journey.
• Coursework –  If you completed relevant projects or coursework, say it. For example, “Published a 20 page report on the works of Shakespeare, Emile Bronte, and Chaucer.”
• Transferable skills – For example, mention analysis, problem-solving or research gained through coursework. This is essential, as it helps align your existing abilities with the job’s requirements.
• The number of credits – If you’ve finished a considerable portion of your degree, state the number of credits you’ve completed or the percentage of the program you’ve completed. For example, “Completed 75 credits towards a BA in Business Studies with a specialisation in Marketing.”

Where to put an unfinished degree on a CV

Place your unfinished degree in the “ Education ” part of your CV which is where you mention your academic pursuits.

Your unfinished degree will come first before your lower-level qualifications like GCSEs and A-levels.

You could also mention your unfinished degree in your personal profile , which serves as the top-of-the-page summary on your CV, but only if it is highly relevant to your target jobs

The takeaway

Your CV is a bit like a mirror that reflects your personal journey, and often, that journey involves unfinished degrees.

Whether you are currently studying towards one or had to finish for legitimate reasons, always be honest about your educational history.

Be sure to highlight the experiences and skills you picked up along the way.

Remember, honesty and a positive mindset can make an impact on potential employers.

Your university degree is just one chapter in your life’s story.

But it’s a chapter that emphasises your dedication and determination to grow personally and professionally.

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Unfinished Degree On A Resume: 4 Examples

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 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 List Degrees on Your Resume

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You’ve worked hard for years to earn your degree, and now you have it in your hands. So, how do you list your degree on your resume to attract the attention of hiring managers?

Keep reading to learn the following key tips:

• How to format your resume for associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
• How to list incomplete degrees on your resume.
• The best way to list in-progress education on your resume.
• How to list multiple degrees on your resume.
• Where to include your education section on your resume.

NOTE : If you’re building your resume from scratch, try Jobscan’s free resume builder . There are no hidden costs and it allows you to build an ATS-compatible resume in no time!

How to list an associate degree on your resume

An associate’s degree is a 2 or 3-year college program. It can be a stepping stone to your bachelor’s degree or a short stand-alone program. Types of associate’s degrees and their abbreviations include:

• Associate of Arts (AA or A.A.)
• Associate of Business (AB or A.B.)
• Associate of Business Administration (ABA or A.B.A.)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS or A.A.S.)
• Associate of Science (AS or A.S.)

It’s best practice to write out the full degree name to eliminate confusion, but if you don’t have space, hiring managers know what the abbreviations mean.

All your education should include at least the college or university name , the location , and your degree and program .

Examples of how to list an associate’s degree on your resume

If the name of the university or the city you attended are wordy, it’s possible to shorten the degree name to create white space. In the example below, the resume uses an abbreviated form of the associate’s degree that’s commonly understood. This saves space for more specific and relevant information.

Listing your GPA isn’t an obligation. But if you’re a new grad and have an impressive GPA, you can include it.

In the examples below, the entirety of the degree is spelled out. Associate’s degrees can be listed as “Associate of Arts” or “Associate in Arts.”

If you have additional degrees, keep the format consistent.

How to write a bachelor’s degree on your resume

In many professional circles, bachelor’s degrees are the gold standard of post-secondary education, both for stable employment and earning potential. 

A bachelor’s degree is a 4-year (or longer) undergraduate degree. They’re highly flexible and personal, with endless combinations of major and minor subjects. 

Popular bachelor degrees and their abbreviations include:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA or B.A.)
• Bachelor of Science (BS or BSc or B.S./B.Sc.)
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom or B.Com.)
• Bachelor of Education (BEd or B.Ed.)
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng or B.Eng.)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA or B.F.A.)

Examples of how to list a bachelor’s degree on your resume

The example below illustrates how to clearly format your resume education section with all the required information.

If you’re an older applicant with a proven work history, excluding your graduation year can help combat ageism in the hiring process.

To include your major and minor on your resume, see this example below of using a bulleted list to help the information stand out.

In the below example, the resume uses a common abbreviation for bachelor of science in nursing to keep the degree list compact and clear.

While not required, if you want to include your achievements like honors, your degree list is the ideal place. This example uses the abbreviation for bachelor of commerce to leave space to show off accolades.

How to list a master’s degree on your resume

When you go to graduate school after an undergraduate degree, you earn a master’s degree. 

A list of master’s degrees and their abbreviations include:

• Master of Arts (MA or M.A.)
• Master of Science (BS or BSc or B.S./B.Sc.)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA or M.B.A.)
• Master of Engineering (ME or MEng or M.E/M.Eng.)
• Master of Education (MEd or M.Ed.)

Examples of how to list a master’s degree on your resume

Since the master’s degree is the higher and more recent degree, it’s listed first in this example. And since this person earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees at the same school, grouping them together saves precious space and eliminates redundant information.

In the following example, the resume lists the degree with both the complete spelling and abbreviation. This is helpful if you’re referencing your degree in other sections of your resume so you don’t have to spell it out each time.

Not all post-graduate degrees are master’s degrees. Law school graduates earn a Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or J.D. degree. All these variations mean they become an entry-level lawyer.

A graduate will likely list their degree like in this example below. You can also include societies or organizations to give your resume a competitive edge.

How to include unfinished degrees on your resume

Sometimes, the path to finishing your education gets interrupted. Should you include an unfinished degree on your resume?

If the job you’re applying for is relevant to your existing coursework, including it on your resume can boost your resume . But it’s important to make clear that your degree is incomplete. 

Examples of how to list unfinished degrees on your resume

Even if your degree is incomplete, you can still draw on your completed credits to enhance the strength of your resume.

In the following examples, both resumes highlight the completed credits and the years they attended school, but makes clear to the hiring manager that the degrees are incomplete.

How to include in-progress education on your resume

If you’re getting a head start on your post-grad job applications, listing your degree as in progress is important for transparency. Luckily, it’s simple to list your in-progress degree on your resume.

Example of how to list an in-progress degree on your resume

Below is an example of a resume with a detailed degree section without the degree. But the resume clearly states when they’ll complete the program, so hiring managers know how close they are to graduation.

How to list multiple degrees on your resume

When you have multiple degrees, how can you organize them on your resume? 

Your degrees should be listed in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent, and often most advanced, degree is first. 

Example of how to list multiple degrees on your resume

Your education section can show the trajectory of your learning. In this example, the hiring manager will see an increasing specialization in healthcare management from an associate’s to a master’s degree.

In the below sample resume, the standard reverse chronological format highlights the most advanced degree. But both degrees are loosely related, so it’s important to highlight the relevant skills related to the job you’re applying for.

Read more about essential resume skills .

How to add a professional certificate to your resume

The prevalence of professional certifications is on the rise. Of all the post-secondary students in the country, around 50% are choosing associate’s degrees and professional certificates . They differ from bachelor’s degrees because they offer direct pathways to a given career. 

As an affordable option for higher education, certifications can help you develop specialized skills to show off on your resume. 

Example of how to list professional certifications on your resume

In the below examples of alternative education, the diploma earned is niche, so there are no universal abbreviations.

Where to place your education section

Once you know how to list your degrees on your resume, the next question is, where does it go? 

When you’re just starting your professional career or are a new grad, you can include your education section near the top of the document.

If you have a prestigious degree or a new relevant certification, placing it near the top of your resume makes it more noticeable. 

When you’re well into your career, your work experience and skills matter more. So keep your education to the bottom of your resume and leave more valuable real estate for relevant information.

How to format your education section for ATS

There’s more than one way to format your education section, depending on your work experience and what details may be most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

However, consider the ATS when you choose your formatting. 

The ATS , or applicant tracking system, is a database that houses your resume once you apply for a job. It organizes all the resumes, making it easier for the hiring manager to review them. They’ll input keywords from the job description, and the ATS will organize the strongest matches. 

A key detail in this process is the ATS’ ability to read your resume. If your resume isn’t formatted correctly or the formatting is inconsistent, the information can be lost in translation. 

To ease your ATS concerns, use Jobscan’s resume scanner to ensure your resume is formatted correctly, dates are consistent, and your resume is readable by the ATS .  

The scanner also provides you with a resume score that tells you how closely your resume matches the wording of the requirements in the job description. The higher the score on your AI resume , the more likely you are to get a job interview!

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There are essential details to keep in mind when adding your degrees to your education section. 

List in reverse chronological order

You already know to list your work history in reverse chronological order, and you should do the same with your degrees. 

If you got your bachelor’s degree several years ago but just completed your master’s, place your graduate degree first. 

Keep your formatting consistent

Whatever format you choose, consistency is vital for a readable, professional-looking resume .

When your degree is incomplete but in progress, include your expected graduation date on your resume’s education section. If your degree is incomplete because you took a break or dropped out, include the degree if it’s relevant to your application. However, it’s important not to suggest you have a completed degree. Instead, include the amount of credits you hold towards that degree.

When you list your degree, some universal information to add include: • The degree type and program. • The college or university that granted your degree. • Dates you attended, though it’s optional. • Dean’s list, awards, clubs, or GPA, if applicable to the job you’re applying for.

You can list a dual degree as two separate education bullets. If one is more relevant than the other in your application, list the most valuable one first.

Kelsey is a Content Writer with a background in content creation, bouncing between industries to educate readers everywhere.

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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:

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 Address An Incomplete Degree On Your Resume

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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11 Ways To Enjoy Summer When You’re Working A Full-Time Job

There you are: sitting on the beach, covered in sunscreen, reading your favorite book, drinking your favorite drink under the cool shade of an umbrella. Life doesn't get any better than this. Suddenly, a door slams, a phone rings, a printer turns on. You jolt back into consciousness. You're at work, sitting in your cubicle, without even a hint of sunshine streaming in from outside.

When you're working a full-time job, finding time to enjoy the warm, bright summer weather can be a challenge. This is especially true for young professionals , as many of them are used to having summers off (or, at the very least, having a flexible summer schedule). But there's no need to feel trapped behind your cubicle walls. Go out and enjoy summer!

Here are a few tips for making the most of your summer while working full time.

1. Grab Some Foldable Chairs

Keep a couple of foldable camping chairs at the office so you and a co-worker can catch some rays during lunch—whether it's in the park or the parking lot.

2. Keep A Beach Bag In Your Car​

Keep a bag full of summer supplies for your favorite summer activities . Having a bag (or, in my case, a backseat) full of towels, sunscreen, and swimwear keeps you prepared for anything. Friends hitting up the pool after work? You're covered. Once the clock strikes five, you can head to your destination of choice immediately.

3. Plan An Office Outing

Plan an office field trip to the beach, the park, or the pool. Just do something fun so your brain can recharge and refresh!

4. Organize Group Walks

Get a bunch of co-workers together and go on regular walks around town during lunch. (Or you could suggest a quick jaunt over to the ice cream shop.) This is a great way to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.

5. Eat Lunch At The Park

When you find yourself eating out, hit up places with a deck, porch, or patio of some sort. Obviously, eating out every day isn't really a feasible option for most of us, so look into alternative ideas as well. Pack a lunch and hit the park for your own little picnic.

6. Organize Office Sports

Whether it's setting up an official office sports team or just hanging out with your colleagues a few times a week, playing sports is a great way to get out and enjoy the weather. Have a field nearby? Try setting up some slow-pitch softball games. Or see if you can get a basketball hoop for the office so you and a few co-workers can shoot some hoops at lunch.

7. Join A Professional Group

During the summer, professional networking groups often have fun events like harbor cruises, pub crawls, and outdoor mixers. Find a professional group in your area and make networking fun this summer.

8. Have An Office BBQ

Get your grill on! Talk to your boss about setting up an office BBQ. Ask everyone to contribute their favorite dish, side, or drink. Fire up the grill and relax! Hey, it's summer after all.

9. Wake Up Early

Yes, yes, I know...waking up early is an incredibly painful and unbearable experience for some of us, but waking up even an hour earlier has its benefits—especially in the summer. Go for a morning run, putter around in the garden, or watch the sunrise with a loved one. Talk about starting the day off right!

10. Strategically Use Your Time Off

Strategically use your vacation days around holidays. This way, you can make a potentially long weekend longer without having to use too much of your precious vacation time . Half days are also pretty awesome. It's amazing how much you can do with four extra hours! If you want an early weekend but don't want to burn up your vacation days too quickly, try taking a half day on a Friday instead of using a full day off.

11. Bike To Work

If you're one of the lucky few who live within walking or biking distance of work, take advantage of it! Not only will you get plenty of fresh air, but you'll also save money on gas, which is always a plus!

There are plenty of easy ways to enjoy summer when you work a full-time job. So this summer, try out a few of these ideas and make the most of the sunshine and warm weather—while they're still around!

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How to show incomplete degree on resume [duplicate]

For my university, I was in the Bachelor's of Science Specialist in Computer Science program. The specialist program requires 40 CS courses (4 years worth) completed, and the Major Program only requires 25 (basically, the specialist is the major plus more). I had 39/40 courses finished for the Bachelor's of Science in Specialist in Computer Science program. And I have 25/25 courses completed for the Major in Computer Science program. Basically, I completed the courses for the Major but I was officially not in the Major Program, I am officially in the Specialist program.

What should I put on my resume? I was thinking leaving the Specialist off, since although I was just 1 course away from completing it, it is not completed.

But since I finished the courses for the Major (even though I'm not officially in the Major Program), do you think I can put down Major in CS on my resume?

And simply apply for places that don't require a degree? I know CS (since I completed the courses for a major and completed 39/40 courses for a Specialist in CS) so I want to show it on my resume but don't know how to put it.

Also, I plan on completing my last course in summer 2023 but not officially registered for the summer course yet (registration starts much later).

Edited for conciseness.

Also, it's been 2 years since I stopped attending university and haven't worked a tech job during that time. I plan on getting back into the tech industry now.

Screenshot of my university status

University status detailed

• computer-science

• @joeqwerty Fair enough. Basically it's been 2 years since I attended university and worked in the tech industry. If I plan on finishing my last course for the Bachelor's of Science in Specialist Computer Science in the Summer 2023, do you still think I should leave it off resume till I finish? I'm applying for tech jobs now until summer and I want a way to show I know CS and took courses on them (about 39/40 courses for the Bachelor's of Science in Specialist CS, so I mean I know CS) –  user2072374 Commented Sep 15, 2022 at 19:22
• Can you add the info in this comment to your post? It's quite relevant since it means you have the option of listing an expected graduation date instead of working with an "incomplete" degree. Also check Incomplete Degree - How to phrase this on resume or cover letter? and Discontinued Master's Degree on resume –  Lilienthal ♦ Commented Sep 15, 2022 at 21:26
• “do you think I can put down Major in CS on my resume?” - Only if you received a degree. Showing an expected graduation date should be enough to show your knowledge. There is a pretty big difference between a B.S in Computer Science and a Major in Computer Science. Speaking from experience don’t indicate your start date, you will be ask, the reason it’s taken a decade. –  Donald Commented Sep 16, 2022 at 5:00
• Does this answer your question? Incomplete Degree - How to phrase this on resume or cover letter? Listing incomplete college degree on resume after several years of experience? –  Fredric Shope Commented Sep 16, 2022 at 13:29
• 1 @Lilienthal I marked this question and answered and asked it in a seperate question instead (didn't want to ask one question, then edit my post to a different situation). Thanks. –  user2072374 Commented Sep 20, 2022 at 13:24

3 Answers 3

Say "attended," show the major you want to show, and give the years. Discuss in the interview if needed. Don't draw attention to it by putting a ton of words there, highlight your skills in other portions of the resume. My opinion is that putting a long description of why it happened plays against the main reason people like degrees - it shows you can finish a big thing.

You can probably write :

University ABC (2000 - 2002) - B.S. in Computer Science ( Incomplete )

( Note : I completed 39 out of 40 required courses for a BS degree)

• 1 Maybe this would look better? Attended University ABC (2000 - 2002) - B.S. in Computer Science (97,5% complete) –  Wind652 Commented Sep 16, 2022 at 6:39

I'd write it:

University ABC (2000 - 2002) - B.S. in Computer Science (98% complete )

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged job-search resume education degree computer-science .

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