Quick Answer
If you have not yet graduated from your degree program, there are a few options for how to list your education on LinkedIn:
- List your expected graduation date – For example: “Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Expected Graduation May 2023”
- List the years you attended without a graduation date – For example: “Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, 2015-Present”
- List the number of credits earned so far – For example: “Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, 120 credits completed”
- List the degree and your current year – For example: “Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Junior”
The key is to be clear that you are currently pursuing the degree and have not yet graduated. Avoid saying “Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing” without any other details, as this may imply you have already completed the degree.
Should I put my unfinished degree on LinkedIn?
Yes, it’s recommended to list an unfinished degree on your LinkedIn profile. Here are some key reasons why:
- It demonstrates you are continuing your education and making progress towards earning a degree.
- It shows your skills, knowledge and coursework relevant to the degree program.
- It enables you to connect with other students and alumni from your university.
- It exhibits your educational background to recruiters and hiring managers.
- You can showcase course projects, papers, teamwork and other details from the degree program.
Listing an unfinished degree accurately is important. Be sure to avoid saying you have already graduated when you have not. Make your current student status clear and provide details like your expected graduation date, credits completed, or current year/level in the program.
Benefits of Listing an Unfinished Degree on LinkedIn
Here are some of the main benefits of listing an unfinished degree on your LinkedIn profile:
1. Demonstrates your educational progress
Listing your unfinished degree and details like your expected graduation date or credits completed shows you are invested in your education and making steady progress towards earning your degree. This can improve how recruiters and hiring managers view your educational background.
2. Highlights relevant skills
The courses and training in your degree program equip you with valuable skills and knowledge for the field. Listing your unfinished degree enables you to showcase these skills to recruiters and demonstrate your growing expertise.
3. Connects you with other students
Adding your unfinished degree allows you to connect and network with fellow students, alumni and groups from your college or university. This can provide useful connections and insights.
4. Shows your interests and goals
Pursuing a degree displays your interests in the subject area and your dedication to learning. It shows employers your goals and potential in the field. Even without graduating yet, an unfinished degree highlights your academic focus.
5. Allows you to showcase coursework
On your LinkedIn profile, you can highlight relevant course projects, papers, group assignments, leadership roles and other details from courses in your unfinished degree program. This provides concrete examples of your abilities.
How to List an Unfinished Degree on LinkedIn
When adding your unfinished degree to your LinkedIn profile’s education section, use these best practices:
- List the full degree name, school, location and field of study.
- For the date, put the start year only or full duration without a graduation date.
- State your expected graduation date or number of credits completed.
- Use your current year/level if you lack an expected graduation date.
- Summarize relevant coursework, projects, skills gained and other details from the program.
- Make your unfinished status clear in the degree name or date.
- You can mark that you are currently enrolled in the degree program.
- Only list degrees you are actively pursuing and expect to complete.
Here are some example formats for how to list an unfinished degree on LinkedIn:
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Expected Graduation May 2023
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
Penn State University, August 2019 – Present
Master of Business Administration
New York University, 2015-2017 (120 credits completed)
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
University of Texas at Austin, Junior
The goal is to transparently communicate your student status and progress towards earning your degree. Avoid misrepresentation by refraining from listing a graduation date before you have officially completed your program and been awarded a degree.
What if I didn’t graduate? Can I still list the degree?
If you ended your enrollment in a degree program without graduating, it is best not to list the degree itself on LinkedIn. However, you can still highlight your time in the program in an accurate way:
- List the years you attended and the credits earned.
- State your field of study or major.
- Note relevant coursework and skills gained.
- Clarify that you did not graduate from the program.
- Emphasize transferable knowledge and experience.
For example:
Business Administration Coursework
State University, 2015-2018
Completed 110 credits towards a B.S. in Business Administration, including coursework in marketing, accounting, management and finance. Departed prior to degree completion to pursue a full-time career opportunity.
Listing an unfinished degree you didn’t complete can demonstrate your interests, knowledge and abilities to recruiters without claiming a degree you did not earn. Be clear you did not graduate if you chose to highlight the degree program on LinkedIn.
What if I’m returning to complete my degree? How should I list it?
If you stepped away from a degree program in the past but plan to return and complete your remaining credits, here are some tips for listing the degree on LinkedIn:
- Note the full degree details like normal (name, school, field of study).
- For the date, list the original start year and then “Returning 2023” or whatever your renewal year is.
- State your initial years of study and expected return date.
- Clarify your plans to return and complete any remaining credits.
- Share your excitement and commitment to finishing your degree.
For example:
Bachelor of Arts in English
Georgetown University, 2011-2014, Returning 2023
I completed my first three years of bachelor’s degree coursework in English before taking time off. I’m now planning to return to Georgetown in 2023 part-time to complete my remaining credits and earn my BA.
Listing your degree with a clear explanation of your pause and planned return shows you are committed to graduation and can help with networking. Be transparent about your unfinished status while sharing your enthusiasm to complete your education.
Can I list an unfinished degree as “completed” on my LinkedIn profile?
It is not advisable to list an unfinished degree as completed on LinkedIn. Claiming you have earned a degree that you have not can be considered resume fraud if discovered. Instead, use these best practices:
- Accurately state that you are currently pursuing or returning to complete the degree.
- Specify your expected graduation date or year, if known.
- List the number of credits earned towards program requirements.
- Use your current level/year rather than saying you graduated.
- Highlight relevant coursework and skills gained so far.
- Wait until after you formally graduate to change the degree status to completed.
Listing your unfinished degree honestly while showcasing your progress gives recruiters meaningful awareness of your education status without misrepresentation. LinkedIn profiles are visible online indefinitely, so handle unfinished degrees carefully.
Why You Shouldn’t List an Unfinished Degree as Completed
Here are key reasons to avoid falsely listing unfinished degrees as completed on LinkedIn:
- It is considered lying on your resume and can seriously damage your reputation if discovered.
- You may be terminated from jobs if the misrepresentation is found after hiring.
- It raises ethics concerns and makes other areas of your profile less trustworthy.
- Legal action can potentially be taken for falsifying credentials.
- You miss the opportunity to highlight your real experience and abilities.
- It can negatively impact your university if discovered.
Maintain your integrity and build trust by representing your education honestly on LinkedIn. Wait until after you have graduated to list a degree as completed.
Conclusion
Listing an unfinished degree accurately on LinkedIn provides many benefits, like showcasing your progress, skills and goals. Clearly communicate your current student status and expected graduation timeline. Highlight relevant coursework and experience from the degree program. Once you formally graduate, you can then update the degree status to completed. Avoid the urge to falsely claim a degree you have not earned, and instead focus on transparently exhibiting your educational journey.
