I don't think an employer would care if you completed three or six credits in a field. If they want a master's degree in a related field, then they're likely not going to see a couple of courses as being enough to make you qualified.
I wouldn't list 30+ credits in a field either because it shows that you were well into a master's program, and you failed to finish for some reason. You can list the school as a separate entry, but you'll have to indicate somehow that you didn't graduate; the credits can go next to the school/program from which they came. If you want to show specialization without getting a whole master's degree, then I think it's best to get a graduate certificate.
There are cases where employers will require specific courses. For example, I saw forensic science jobs with the state government that wanted three credits each in microbiology, genetics, etc. In that case, I wouldn't list that I completed five credits of a microbiology program on my resume because they're looking for specific courses. The school would already be listed on the application, and a transcript would be uploaded to prove that the specific courses were completed.
This is how a former classmate of mine lists a doctoral program he didn't finish.
XXX State University, Doctor of Public Administration 2009-2009
He could add a note below, so that it looks like this.
XXX State University, Doctor of Public Administration 2009-2009
Completed nine credits in public policy analysis.
I wouldn't list 30+ credits in a field either because it shows that you were well into a master's program, and you failed to finish for some reason. You can list the school as a separate entry, but you'll have to indicate somehow that you didn't graduate; the credits can go next to the school/program from which they came. If you want to show specialization without getting a whole master's degree, then I think it's best to get a graduate certificate.
There are cases where employers will require specific courses. For example, I saw forensic science jobs with the state government that wanted three credits each in microbiology, genetics, etc. In that case, I wouldn't list that I completed five credits of a microbiology program on my resume because they're looking for specific courses. The school would already be listed on the application, and a transcript would be uploaded to prove that the specific courses were completed.
This is how a former classmate of mine lists a doctoral program he didn't finish.
XXX State University, Doctor of Public Administration 2009-2009
He could add a note below, so that it looks like this.
XXX State University, Doctor of Public Administration 2009-2009
Completed nine credits in public policy analysis.
Graduate of Not VUL or ENEB
MS, MSS and Graduate Cert
AAS, AS, BA, and BS
CLEP
Intro Psych 70, US His I 64, Intro Soc 63, Intro Edu Psych 70, A&I Lit 64, Bio 68, Prin Man 69, Prin Mar 68
DSST
Life Dev Psych 62, Fund Coun 68, Intro Comp 469, Intro Astr 56, Env & Hum 70, HTYH 456, MIS 451, Prin Sup 453, HRM 62, Bus Eth 458
ALEKS
Int Alg, Coll Alg
TEEX
4 credits
TECEP
Fed Inc Tax, Sci of Nutr, Micro, Strat Man, Med Term, Pub Relations
CSU
Sys Analysis & Design, Programming, Cyber
SL
Intro to Comm, Microbio, Acc I
Uexcel
A&P
Davar
Macro, Intro to Fin, Man Acc
MS, MSS and Graduate Cert
AAS, AS, BA, and BS
CLEP
Intro Psych 70, US His I 64, Intro Soc 63, Intro Edu Psych 70, A&I Lit 64, Bio 68, Prin Man 69, Prin Mar 68
DSST
Life Dev Psych 62, Fund Coun 68, Intro Comp 469, Intro Astr 56, Env & Hum 70, HTYH 456, MIS 451, Prin Sup 453, HRM 62, Bus Eth 458
ALEKS
Int Alg, Coll Alg
TEEX
4 credits
TECEP
Fed Inc Tax, Sci of Nutr, Micro, Strat Man, Med Term, Pub Relations
CSU
Sys Analysis & Design, Programming, Cyber
SL
Intro to Comm, Microbio, Acc I
Uexcel
A&P
Davar
Macro, Intro to Fin, Man Acc