degrees

I have one nationally accredited degree, three regionally accredited degrees, and one unaccredited degrees. I have been told that it would be perfectly acceptable to list the accredited degrees (those that have been recognized by the US Department of Education). My question is should I not list the unaccredited degree, or should I put this down as additional training, and mention that it is unaccredited? I thought if I just listed it under additional training, then this would not necessitate the need to put down that it is unaccredited. Is it best not to list it at all? Some have said that as long as it is from a good school, that this would be ok. Others have said that if it is unaccredited, to not list it at all. My concern is not so much that it is unaccredited, but that I should show this as it is a commitment that I made to the school that I did work through. I would appreciate any feedback you may give to this topic. Thanks.

 

There was recently another thread on this topic. I can only repeat the opinion I gave then.

If I had a non-accredited degree, I almost certainly would list it. The question would be whether I would list it under 'degrees earned' or along with non-degree continuing education courses under 'additional education'.

That would be a function of two things:

First, does the employer have an accredited-only degree policy? If so, I wouldn't list it under degrees.

Second, do I think that the non-accredited program was sound and basically accreditation-equivalent? And equally important, do I think that I could successfully defend it if it were questioned?

If my answers to both of those was 'yes', I'd probably list it.

If the answers were 'no', in other words, if I had done a program that even I thought was flaky because I happened to like the subject matter or something, then I'd put it under 'other education'. I wouldn't suggest to employers that they treat it as degree, but I'd point it out as an educational experience.

Obviously, none of this applies to degree-mills and to scams. But I can't imagine ever enrolling in one of those, so that's moot.

And there's the question of listing advanced education inappropriate to the position being sought, of appearing overqualified and so on, but that's another issue.

 

I am answering a question and not advocating anything. With that said, here I go with my feedback; I like the approach that Randell1234 has posted in reference this matter.

However, when in comes to my view and as stated in previous treads, it will depend of the purpose of what you are doing. For example, in my particular case, listing more degrees than the one needed for particular job can be a liability regardless accredited or not (overqualified and most of hiring persons are insecure individuals).

Now, if I do decided to list them, will be with a disclaimer line same as in my signature line. That is just me!