Listing Pending degrees on resume

Speaking of listing degrees that are not completed. My degree will be conferred on May 14 - is it ok to go ahead and list it without any explanation of date now on my resume since it is less than a month away and many employers keep resumes on file for a while anyway?

 

I would think that something like this would be just as effective:

MBA - Discount University, May 2005

 

There is also the "candidate" form:

Degree type, School, "Candidate", Date of Conferrment

Ex:

BS in Business Administration, University of Florida, Candidate, May 2005

Cheers.

 

"Graduand" is also an option if the awarding of the degree has been confirmed.

 

If you've completed all the requirements and are just awaiting conferral of the degree, list it. If not (say, if your last class ends next month), you shouldn't list it as if you already have it. But it is impending, so list it with the projected completion date.

 

I agree with Rich. If you've met all requirements, I see nothing unethical about claiming the degree. What really gets MY goat though, is the increasing use of "ABD" and "ABT" as if they represent some kind of a degree in themselves. (ABD = "all but dissertation," and ABT = "all but thesis.") That might be SOMEWHAT acceptable if it is certain that the degree is forthcomming, but who can say that? After all, writing a dissertation or thesis is typically the most demanding part of obtaining a graduate degree. I suspect that these "ABDs" are becoming permanent degree equivilents in the minds of the "holders." As far as I'm concerned, ABD = BS, and I don't mean "Bachelor of Science."

A common cartoon in offices shows a cute little kid on a toilet with the caption, "No job is finished until the paper work is done." Nowhere is this more true than in academia.

 

Once upon a time (maybe at degreeinfo, maybe on aed) there was a discussion of the whole ABD/ABT issue, but with a twist. The question was, "Can I list my PhD as ABD if I am enrolled in a dissertation-only research PhD program? (such as those found at UNISA) The person asking the question wanted to list the ABD as soon as they enrolled in the program with the rationale being that since the entire degree consisted solely of the dissertation, they were being accurate by describing their degree status as ABD. I have a pretty clear memory of the consensus answer at that time, I wonder if people would come up with the same answer now?
Jack

 

I would accept a resume that said “MBA - Discount University, May 2005” as long as the application you filled out, if interviewed, correctly stated your status as a graduate or not.

I would also suggest that anything more than about 4 months in the future gets into a gray area, as a lot can happen in four months…

 

I believe it is fine. I have been listing my degrees for the last 2 months since sending out my resume for new jobs that I have a BS degree and AS degree and which I have not gotten my yet. My AS degree is to be conferred in May but my BS degree I am short about 3 classes which will be completed in the May or June but not even sure if it is that much still awaiting Excelsior evaluation. In my interviews, I have been letting people know this and they are fine with it. I have transcripts to prove I am in school, so it is no big deal. So yes it is ok to list it.

 

I hire educators and it seems like every one of them has a degree in progress.

If the degree is going to be conferred within a semester, I like to see:

M. Ed., XYZ University, Anticipated May 2005

If it is not that close, I like to see:

M.Ed. Program, XYZ University, Currently Enrolled

 

What's Pending?

Pending degree listing on resume's and cv's should certainly be acceptable if one clearly delineates what is pending.

John Q. Doe, Ph.D. (nc, mnbc, pcd 2016, abd-45, wsll)

nc = not completed
mnbc = may never be completed
pcd = projected completion date
abd-45 = all but dissertation and 45 semester hours
wsll = when student loan is liquidated