Thread: Do you list degrees in progress on your resume?

I am a graduate student for engineering management at Eastern Michigan University. I was considering applying for a job with a new company. Under education , I was thinking about something like:

M.S. in Engineering Management , Eastern Michigan University, In Progress

Have any of you listed degrees in progress on your resume? Just wondering if it was appropriate or not.

Thanks!!!

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I would add when you expect to have to completed, e.g: In progress, expected March 2005.

-=Steve=-

I list -

·PhD – Business Administration – Northcentral University – currently enrolled

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wow - I was going to ask this very question. Now that I am in my fourth of 14 classes, I was thinking about putting my MBA in progress degree on my resume (for an internal company job as a Program Manager - taming the Intel people - lol)

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Originally posted by SteveFoerster
I would add when you expect to have to completed, e.g: In progress, expected March 2005.

-=Steve=-

Ditto. But if the degree in question is far down the road, it could appear is if you're over-reaching.

Also, I get a lot of resumes with "So-and-so, Ph.D." only to find that their degree is still a work in progress. Over-reaching.

Originally posted by Rich Douglas


Ditto. But if the degree in question is far down the road, it could appear is if you're over-reaching.

Also, I get a lot of resumes with "So-and-so, Ph.D." only to find that their degree is still a work in progress. Over-reaching.

Rich,

Do you think listing PhD – Business Administration – Northcentral University – currently enrolled is over-reaching?

When I was working on my MS, I listed it as expected graduation - June 2004 . I do not want to put thinking of dropping out but if I did not drop out I would graduate in 2009 after NCU.

Originally posted by Randell1234


Rich,

Do you think listing PhD – Business Administration – Northcentral University – currently enrolled is over-reaching?

When I was working on my MS, I listed it as expected graduation - June 2004 . I do not want to put thinking of dropping out but if I did not drop out I would graduate in 2009 after NCU.

There is nothing wrong to say that you are currently enrolled in a PhD at NCU, but some people might find deceiving to put a PhD on a resume when you are still so far to achieve it. The fact is that few people scan the resume enough to read "currently enrolled" so it might be seen as that you are trying to deceive.

I had a friend that used to list in his resume a M.S in Computer Engineering in big and bold letters and then in small letters the following statement:

"This is the educational equivalent of my experience in the field during the last 20 years"

So, everybody would think that he had a MS in Engineering but the fact is that this was just had the equivalent experience.

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Originally posted by Randell1234
I list -

·PhD – Business Administration – Northcentral University – currently enrolled

My resume also lists my NCU enrollment in this fashion, along with an anticipated grad date. I also have a similar entry for the MS program at KU.

Recently, two placement agencies requested that they be able to remove the NCU PhD in progress line, but wanted to keep the MS in progress. It was due to companies rejecting my resume due to fears of overqualification for their positions.

A consulting agency, in contrast, had no problem including the NCU mention. To them, it is an excellent marketing point.

An interviewer was concerned that pursuing two degrees concurrently left me with no free time. He also mentioned that there might be times where extra hours were required to meet product rollout deadlines. I believe he saw a conflict between school and work and wanted to be reassured that work took precedence.

Rick

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Given that I use an academic cv, my education section is listed first. So, the first entry reads:

Ph.D. student, Organization and Management -- Human Resources specialization.
Capella University , Minneapolis, MN. Expected completion 2006.

So, I'm upfront that I'm still a student (will change this to candidate once I pass comps) and advertise how long until I expect to finish.

Besides my two earned degrees, I also list my almost-completed B&M MBA , as well as the studies I undertook at Nankai University in the PRC, even though neither of those experiences culminated in a degree. I list the MBA credits to show I have the academic background required for my Ph.D. work, and I show the Nankai work to add a little international flavor -- as an international educator, I think it's important to show that I've both taught and learned internationally, so I know what it's like to be an international student.

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If you're unsure and early on in a program, how about "Graduate Studies, Business Administration , ABC University", then have a listuing of coursework. Perhaps not as elegant as listing the degree with "currently enrolled" or "in progress", but certainly less likely to appear as if you're attempting to deceive.

I'm in my third class of a 12 course MBA program at UMass, I'll just list it for now the graduate studies way, but after next semester when my fifth or so class is underway, I'll be bolder and list the degree + explanation.

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I like Adrienne's approach. It makes the point with little chance of misunderstanding -- which is important because a recruiter will probably discard a resume as soon as he or she thinks it's misleading.

Originally posted by Randell1234


Rich,

Do you think listing PhD – Business Administration – Northcentral University – currently enrolled is over-reaching?

When I was working on my MS, I listed it as expected graduation - June 2004 . I do not want to put thinking of dropping out but if I did not drop out I would graduate in 2009 after NCU.

Yeah, I do. It would be better with an anticipated date of graduation. Otherwise, anyone with an application on file could list as such. Plus, I don't think I want to make a hiring decision based in part on a degree that, in reality, won't be awarded for several years. Several months, maybe, but not years.

Hi Capper.

No. On principle.

But MRW142's first paragraph suggestion (if amended to carry through until graduation or at minimum successful defense) makes sense.

Rich,

how about?

2004-Present Northcentral University, PhD student, Business Administration -MIS


Then change student to candidate once comps are passed.

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Originally posted by aarbrooks
Given that I use an academic cv, my education section is listed first. So, the first entry reads:

Ph.D. student, Organization and Management -- Human Resources specialization.
Capella University , Minneapolis, MN. Expected completion 2006.

So, I'm upfront that I'm still a student (will change this to candidate once I pass comps) and advertise how long until I expect to finish.

Besides my two earned degrees, I also list my almost-completed B&M MBA , as well as the studies I undertook at Nankai University in the PRC, even though neither of those experiences culminated in a degree. I list the MBA credits to show I have the academic background required for my Ph.D. work, and I show the Nankai work to add a little international flavor -- as an international educator, I think it's important to show that I've both taught and learned internationally, so I know what it's like to be an international student.

I did the same on my CV (anticipated completion, 2004). I also listed "post graduate study and internships in instructional technology , Arizona State University, 1991-94"

Tony

P.S. Adrienne, what happened with FSU?

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	Capella University Capella University Capella provides working adults the opportunity to earn online degrees in the fields of business management, health care, nursing, criminal justice, higher education, psychology, social work, human resources, information technology, mental health and counseling, K-12 education, public safety and public administration, and public service leadership. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school. [/center]

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Harrison College Harrison College Since 1902, Harrison College has been providing men and women with the skills necessary to attain a career in business, industry, and the public sector. Harrison offers the following online degrees: Associate’s Degree in Accounting, Administrative Professional, Criminal Justice, Finance, Human Resources Management, Marketing, Medical Reimbursement Technology, and Network; Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Mgmt, Criminal Justice, Healthcare Mgmt, Human Resources, and Information Technology; Certificate for Medical Office Assistants; and Diplomas for Accounting Assistants and Office Assistants. The school is accredited by ACICS, a recognized and reputable, but lesser-known accreditor. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Originally posted by Anthony Pina


P.S. Adrienne, what happened with FSU?

Hi Tony,

I was accepted, even though the deadline for application had passed (Dr. Wager recommended they open up an extra slot for me), but after my husband's health scare back in April, I decided that I didn't want to be separated for the 3+ years it would take for me to finish the degree.

So, I withdrew from FSU. I wasn't that thrilled with some aspects of the IDOL program at Capella , so decided to switch into my other love, HR , and am positive I made the right decision. Plus, I'm now out of teaching , and have a mid-mgt HR position with my uni, so it's all worked out for the best, I think!

Cheers,
Adrienne

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