How to list incomplete graduate studies on CV?

[helmsdeep]

Hello,

 

I am currently trying to update my CV. Does anyone have a recommendation on how to list incomplete graduate degree on CV? My first stint in a master's program didn't work out (did all the necessary coursework, but did not finish and defend the thesis). However, subsequently I did finish another Masters and then PhD.

 

I'm not sure whether to leave this period of failure out of my CV completely or should I list something like "graduate coursework" along with my other degrees. Any other suggestions?

 

Thanks everyone!

[fuzzylogician]

I am in a similar situation - I was accepted into my current PhD program during the first year of my Masters and I moved after completing all the coursework requirements but not the thesis (basically, I tried to complete a 2-year program in one year and failed, but was assured by my program that they didn't care about it back when I applied). I list that experience under "Education" as "Year X-Y, Uni X, Dept Y, MA Student in Linguistics," where it's clear from the structure of my CV that it's similar to a year I spent as an exchange student and in contrast to a completed BA (and hopefully in the future, a completed PhD). 

 

I'd advise against leaving this line out of your CV entirely, because people will notice and wonder about the hole that you'd be creating. Better address their concerns than leave them imagining something worse than what actually happened. 

[MsDarjeeling]

I agree that hiding this information will just raise questions later.  I don't think putting it on your CV is automatically assumed to be negative though.  Many people start programs without finishing them for a variety of reasons and then go on to be successful in something else.  I wonder if you could just list the number of credits you completed instead?  What I mean is something like the following:

 

With a degree your cv listing might look like:

 

Master of Arts in Whatever Subject

Whatever University

City, State

Year began - Year completed

 

Without a degree it might look like:

 

24 credits/units in Whatever Subject

Whatever University

City, State

Year began - Year completed

 

That way you're acknowledging what you completed (especially since they'll probably have a transcript) and you're not leading them to assume you have a degree.  That way if they want more information they can bring it up in an interview.

[Zorah]

Why list a degree you did not complete?

[fuzzylogician]

Why list a degree you did not complete?

Because you spent a year or two of your life doing it? 

[nugget]

You could also write the following on your cv:

 

Master of X Program in X.

 

This way you are indicating that your were in the program as well as the duration of your time there without emphasizing that you didn't complete the degree. Since you are currently working on a higher academic achievement, I don't think it will be a perceived negatively. On the other hand, if you dropped out and stayed out of school an employer might be left to wonder if you left because you couldn't handle the workload or if you are someone who has a hard time commiting to long term goals. Your PhD in progress should be enough to quell those concerns. I wouldn't be concerned about it. Just be prepared to explain why you didn't complete the program if you are asked at a job interview.

Edited July 16, 2013 by jenste

[TakeruK]

I'm not in the stage where I have / about-to-get a PhD and applying for jobs, so this might be very naive, but I originally had the same thought as Zorah -- it's not like jobs you apply to require you to list every year of your life right? That is, just because you did it doesn't mean that you need to include it in the CV (even though the term CV literally means just that). 

 

I mean, if you are applying to PhD programs and the applications require transcripts from every school attended etc. then sure, you should include it. But as far as I know, transcripts are rarely required for jobs beyond the PhD. Do post-doc applications also require you to discuss every single program you've enrolled in? 

 

Again, maybe I am missing something critical, but after getting a Masters and a PhD, it seems very unlikely that people would care what you did in the year between your undergrad and masters. Even if you leave a gap in the CV, that's something like 5-7 years ago!

[fuzzylogician]

This depends. In Europe, many positions will require you to submit transcripts (in fact, they ask you to resubmit them every time you are up for a promotion; I've been told they need a new copy of your high school diploma, BA, MA, and PhD every time). In the US, it's normally not needed. Post doc applications don't normally require you to discuss every institution you've been enrolled in but they do want a CV and you need to craft the best one you can. Now the question is whether these studies help, hurt, or do nothing for you. 

 

The question is what the degree was in, how it relates to what you are doing now and what kind of hole it leaves in your CV if you leave it out. Having completed coursework for a second MA beside your main interest just doesn't seem that bad to me. The shift in interests is something you can address in one line in your SOP (or research statement, for jobs) and if put in the correct light, it should not harm you in any way. In any event, for me it's a no-brainer - my studies were in my current field, and they occurred right between my BA and my PhD. I didn't just disappear for a year and I have recommenders and strong supporters from that time that I want to show off. If, on the other hand, we are talking about something from a long ago that's not relevant and will not raise questions if omitted, then the considerations are very different 

[Zorah]

A year in a life is a short time. There is no resume legal requirements.  There is no need to include an item on your resume that does not advance your professional goals. Again, a resume is not a legal document.

[Sigaba]

Read the fine print in the application materials before deciding to leave out any pertinent information.

 

It is a buyer's market. Third party background checks are getting more extensive . You may have to sign a document that affirms that your applications are true, complete, and correct (which, by the way, would make a resume a "legal document"). You may also have to agree to subsequent background checks at your employer's discretion.

 

Irregularities do get reported along with guideince to the prospective employer on the significance of the inconsistencies.  While the laws of a particular state may require a prospective employer to give an applicant the opportunity to talk about any missing/incomplete/erroneous information, do you really want to be in that position when you could have avoided it in the first place?

[Zorah]

Again a resume is not a legal document.

[jeffster]

A resume isn't a chronological list of everything you've done your whole life.  As someone who has reviewed CVs for hiring purposes, wasting space on something that isn't particularly relevant (such as a year of studies at a school before you even started your current PhD) just so you don't have any "gaps" in the years listed strikes me as a terrible idea. 

 

Your resume space is extremely valuable, and the little bit of it that gets read needs to be directly relevant to your goals.  If the employer wants to know all the jobs you've had and schools you've attended, I imagine they'll give you a supplemental form that asks that.

 

So, if time spent at an institution that didn't result in a degree is a valuable piece of your experience and relevant to the position you're applying for, by all means list it.  Otherwise, particularly if you just went on to another institution and completed the same degree later, my advice is to keep it off.

 

Of course if they ask you about it in an interview you should not lie or decieve.  It's just not a highlight, and therefore doesn't belong on your CV.

[nugget]

If the applicant needs to sign such a document, he/she only needs to mention that one year of schooling was omitted and offer to provide a more detailed copy of the cv.

 

If would mention this year if the cv looks sparse and if it would be beneficial to the job to have any extra year of schooling. However, if it isn't helpful in any way then it isn't necessary to mention it.

 

Read the fine print in the application materials before deciding to leave out any pertinent information.

 

It is a buyer's market. Third party background checks are getting more extensive . You may have to sign a document that affirms that your applications are true, complete, and correct (which, by the way, would make a resume a "legal document"). You may also have to agree to subsequent background checks at your employer's discretion.

 

Irregularities do get reported along with guideince to the prospective employer on the significance of the inconsistencies.  While the laws of a particular state may require a prospective employer to give an applicant the opportunity to talk about any missing/incomplete/erroneous information, do you really want to be in that position when you could have avoided it in the first place?