Ethics of listing degree(s) on resume

[Thorne]

I've been looking forward to finishing up my BS from WGU, and some of the best-value in-state programs I can find for graduate studies are from good university systems, but have no name recognition on their own.

When listing my BS on resume, I'm not specifically saying I obtained a degree from WGU-Texas, simply because it doesn't seem like it changes anything. At the same time, the MBA program I'm currently interested in is the UT Permian Basin MBA. The program is (1) fully online, (2) reasonably inexpensive, (3) AACSB accredited, (4) in-state, and (5) a normal MBA, rather than an Executive/Professional MBA (which several of my HR buddies say looks odd compared to an MBA).

However, only one person I know has even heard of UTPB. Almost everyone I've asked is aware of the University of Texas system, but never the Permian Basin campus. I suppose, therefore, that my question is whether or not it is unethical to simply omit the campus name from the resume. I mean, something along the lines of "Master of Business Administration, University of Texas" appears (to me) to be much more recognizable than saying, "Master of Business Administration, University of Texas at Permian Basin," but I may be horribly off-base.

This could probably apply to any large university system (UT, TAMU, UC, CSU, and so on), hence why I'm posting here.

Thoughts?

[RANSOMSOUL]

One option could be to list it as University of Texas Systems:

https://www.utsystem.edu/institutions

The name question gets too much attention. MBA from an accredited school requires effort and will be appreciated by most. Have a friend who is a CEO of a hospital with an MBA from Phoenix - she did not care for the school but received zero hurdles working her way up the ladder.

[videogamesrock]

You can omit the campus, you're not being dishonest- you graduated from the University of Texas. If they ask which campus you'll just tell them during the interview.

[RANSOMSOUL]

This would be very similar to how some in California list their degree from California State University & often when speaking of their school, say the name as Cal State. Some will ask 'which one' but most just keep it moving. I am a fan of using your school's name.

This is how I rank the options:

University of Texas at Permian Basin
University of Texas
University of Texas Systems

[sanantone]

I've been looking forward to finishing up my BS from WGU, and some of the best-value in-state programs I can find for graduate studies are from good university systems, but have no name recognition on their own.

When listing my BS on resume, I'm not specifically saying I obtained a degree from WGU-Texas, simply because it doesn't seem like it changes anything. At the same time, the MBA program I'm currently interested in is the UT Permian Basin MBA. The program is (1) fully online, (2) reasonably inexpensive, (3) AACSB accredited, (4) in-state, and (5) a normal MBA, rather than an Executive/Professional MBA (which several of my HR buddies say looks odd compared to an MBA).

However, only one person I know has even heard of UTPB. Almost everyone I've asked is aware of the University of Texas system, but never the Permian Basin campus. I suppose, therefore, that my question is whether or not it is unethical to simply omit the campus name from the resume. I mean, something along the lines of "Master of Business Administration, University of Texas" appears (to me) to be much more recognizable than saying, "Master of Business Administration, University of Texas at Permian Basin," but I may be horribly off-base.

This could probably apply to any large university system (UT, TAMU, UC, CSU, and so on), hence why I'm posting here.

Thoughts?

As a Texas resident for over 30 years, this would be unethical. The default school for University of Texas is UT Austin. UT Austin is simply known as UT. 

I don't see the point in listing University of Texas System. University of Texas - Permian Basin already has "University of Texas" in it. People may not have heard of Permian Basin, but they could easily determine that it is a part of the UT system. This is different from Angelo State University which is part of the Texas Tech System, but I don't even dare list Texas Tech System. Once an employer sees an ASU transcript, I'll be viewed as being deceptive. 

If you list University of Texas System, everyone is going to know that you didn't attend UT Austin. No one tries to disguise UT Austin. I don't think anyone would disguise UT Arlington or UTD either because both of those have good reputations. "University of Texas System" automatically says that you attended one of the lesser-known schools. 

Additionally, these aren't "campuses." I know it's semantics, but this is important to point out in this context. These are completely separate schools accredited as completely separate entities. Other than a select few online programs, you can't take courses across the schools without applying and being admitted to each one. This is different from the Alamo Community College District or Dallas Community College District where you can enroll in courses at any of the colleges in the district with a couple of clicks. Even then, all of the Alamo Colleges are accredited as separate schools.

[Thorne]

--Snip--

Additionally, these aren't "campuses." I know it's semantics, but this is important to point out in this context. These are completely separate schools accredited as completely separate entities. Other than a select few online programs, you can't take courses across the schools without applying and being admitted to each one. This is different from the Alamo Community College District or Dallas Community College District where you can enroll in courses at any of the colleges in the district with a couple of clicks. Even then, all of the Alamo Colleges are accredited as separate schools.

That clarifies a few things, and basically settles the topic. I've only been in Texas for 12 years, and I never even considered any of the UT or TAMU schools, before now, due to cost. I have a few UT alum friends (unsure of the specific school) that gave me the impression that UT Arlington, Austin, Dallas, et cetera were just branches of the same school, not independent schools in the same network -- I just hadn't done my own research yet.

I'll have to check some of the other offerings (in-state and out) with better brand recognition. A fine enough pedigree may justify the hike from $12k to $30k. Heck, I'm not even dead set on an MBA yet.

[RANSOMSOUL]

[quote='sanantone' pid='242929' dateline='1506120255']
Heck, I'm not even dead set on an MBA yet.

Heck, I could have saved my opinion then

[sanantone]

--Snip--

Additionally, these aren't "campuses." I know it's semantics, but this is important to point out in this context. These are completely separate schools accredited as completely separate entities. Other than a select few online programs, you can't take courses across the schools without applying and being admitted to each one. This is different from the Alamo Community College District or Dallas Community College District where you can enroll in courses at any of the colleges in the district with a couple of clicks. Even then, all of the Alamo Colleges are accredited as separate schools.

That clarifies a few things, and basically settles the topic. I've only been in Texas for 12 years, and I never even considered any of the UT or TAMU schools, before now, due to cost. I have a few UT alum friends (unsure of the specific school) that gave me the impression that UT Arlington, Austin, Dallas, et cetera were just branches of the same school, not independent schools in the same network -- I just hadn't done my own research yet.

I'll have to check some of the other offerings (in-state and out) with better brand recognition. A fine enough pedigree may justify the hike from $12k to $30k. Heck, I'm not even dead set on an MBA yet.

Do you want name recognition or a decent ranking? I'm sure everyone knows what University of North Dakota and University of South Dakota are, but they aren't known for having great business schools. 

There is the iMBA for around $22,000. I don't know if your transcript will say iMBA, but University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's business school is ranked #40.

[Thorne]

Do you want name recognition or a decent ranking? I'm sure everyone knows what University of North Dakota and University of South Dakota are, but they aren't known for having great business schools. 

There is the iMBA for around $22,000. I don't know if your transcript will say iMBA, but University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's business school is ranked #40.

Decent ranking, surely. Otherwise I could just go for a University of Phoenix MBA.

Thanks for the information! I hadn't come across this when looking before, but that's fairly enticing.

[dfrecore]

This would be very similar to how some in California list their degree from California State University & often when speaking of their school, say the name as Cal State. Some will ask 'which one' but most just keep it moving. I am a fan of using your school's name.

This is how I rank the options:

University of Texas at Permian Basin
University of Texas
University of Texas Systems

I've not seen this at all (for CA schools).  I just see people list the school with the city (CSU-Chico or CSU-San Marcos or SDSU).  But they do not just put "CSU" or "Cal State" on their resumes that I've ever seen.

Now, when people TALK about their degrees, they may omit the name if they are local.  All of the kids I know here in Escondido, if they want to go to CSU-San Marcos just say "State", and everyone knows what they mean because it's the closest state school (5 miles away).  SDSU is 30+ miles away, so they will say San Diego State or SDSU when talking about that.  They also just say "UC" if they're talking about UCSD, because it's the only UC school in the San Diego area.  If they are talking about a nearby UC/CSU school, maybe less than 100 miles away, they will say "Riverside" or "Irvine" or something like that.  But again, this is when it's in conversation, not on a resume.