Struggling to get interviews?
Even if your degree is unfinished, you can still show employers the academic achievements you do have. Whatever your academic circumstances, we’ve got you covered with our tips and examples for how to list an unfinished degree on a resume below.
You can list an unfinished degree on your resume if you’re still in school, you’re taking a leave of absence, or you had other plans for your life.
Even if you’re not going to complete your studies, listing your unfinished degree can still add value to your resume because:
- It can help to explain an employment gap
- It can highlight additional skills
- It can showcase extra qualifications and relevant coursework
To employers, some college on a resume usually looks better than none, especially if you can show that your education is highly relevant to the job you’re applying for.
This video breaks down how to write your education section and what to include, with useful examples:
How to list education in progress on a resume
Listing your education on your resume is an important way to show employers that you’re qualified for a position. The way you format it and the information you include vary depending on your plans or whether you’re currently enrolled.
Here’s what you should do:
If you’re currently pursuing a degree
If you’re still enrolled in school and plan on graduating, list your expected graduation date alongside the name of the school and its location in the education section of your resume.
Here’s an example of how to list an expected graduation date on a resume:
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER – Denver, CO
Expected graduation: June 20XX
Strengthen this section by including additional details that demonstrate your relevant skills and qualifications to employers, such as:
- Major/specialization/certification
- Relevant completed coursework
- A GPA over 3.5
- Academic awards
- Scholarships
Including these will show a potential employer that you’re disciplined and making the most out of your ongoing education.
Here’s an example of how you can list achievements in your education section:
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER – Denver, CO
B.A. in Communications
Expected graduation: June 20XX
GPA: 3.7/4.0, Dean’s List for 3 semesters
- Awarded the Sarah Parker Scholarship for academic excellence, 2019
Additionally, here’s how to list coursework on your resume:
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER – Denver, CO
B.A. in Communications
Expected graduation: December 20XXRelevant coursework: Media Writing Skills, New Media Production and Management, Social Media for Social Change
If you’re taking a break from college
If you’re taking a break from college for a year or less, you’re still a student. List your unfinished degree on your resume the same as you would if you were still attending college.
Just remember, it’s important to be upfront with your potential employers about resuming your studies. An employer won’t be thrilled if they hire you for a full-time position only to have you leave 6 months later. In your interview, make sure to bring up the topic of your education and discuss the possibility of accommodating a more flexible or part-time schedule for when the time to finish your degree comes.
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If it’s not relevant to the position
If your area of study was unrelated to the position you’re applying for, then you don’t need to include much detail. You can simply list the college and years attended:
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY – Syracuse, NY
20XX-20XX
If you took some courses related to the job, include those under your university information. You can list them by individual courses taken or by number of credits earned in a certain area of study.
If it’s relevant to the position
If your unfinished degree is relevant to the job you’re applying for, include details that show your hiring manager the experience and knowledge you’ve gained from your education.
Include any relevant coursework or the number of credits completed in your education section. You should also include any academic achievements that demonstrate excellence in your field of study.
Here’s an example of how to list unfinished college on your resume if it’s highly relevant to the job:
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN – Ann Arbor, Michigan
20XX-20XX, GPA: 3.8/4.0
Completed 75 credits towards a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a specialization in Urban Planning
- Awarded the Abrams Family Internship Scholarship for my internship at Ann Arbor City Government Planning and Development Department.
When to omit an unfinished degree
There are cases where it’s best to leave an incomplete degree off your resume.
For example, if an incomplete degree is irrelevant to the work you want to do and doesn’t add value to your resume, simply leave it off your resume.
Another case is when including the degree has the potential to do more harm than good.
For example, if your target position doesn’t require a degree, and your coursework was in an irrelevant field, leave it off your resume.
Need a quick recap of what we’ve just covered? Here’s an easy-to-follow video on how to list an unfinished degree on your resume.
@resumegenius Writing your resume but didn’t finish your degree? Don’t worry. Here’s how to properly list the education section of your resume, even with an unfinished degree. #resume #resumetips #degree #dropout #jobsearch ♬ Romantic – Tomorrow
Unfinished degree on resume example
Here’s an example of a candidate who lists an unfinished degree on her resume:
Additional resources
Here are a few extra resources you may find helpful in navigating your job search:
About the Author
Nathan Soto is dedicated to providing practical guidance to job seekers, especially people with nonlinear career paths.
Nathan graduated from the University of Nevada with a double B.A. in French and Music. His articles and career advice have been featured on multiple platforms, offering insights into resume writing, interview preparation, and personal branding.
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