Forum: workplace.stackexchange.com
Tags: <software-industry><resume><software-development><degree>
Title: Is it appropriate to slightly change the name of my degree?
Question: If I have a "BS in Software Development", would it be okay to change the name to "BS in Software Engineering" on my resume?   Could it negatively impact background checks or education verification if it is not 100% identical?  Although both terms almost mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably, "software engineering" sounds a bit more rigorous, and I prefer it more. The jobs I will be applying to will also have the "Software Engineer" job title.

Answers:
sents: text: If your diploma is in the same language as your resume is, then whatever it calls the degree is what you put on your resume.
text: If you were translating (because you're applying in a market where employers don't understand the language of your diploma) there would be some wiggle room, but not otherwise.
text: I don't think many employers would care
text: one whit whether the school you went to happens to call their program one or the other.
text: But if you call the degree something it isn't because you think that makes you sound better qualified than the truth would , then for that reason alone what you're doing is an attempt to deceive.
text: And employers certainly do care about whether your application is deceptive.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/91654/hmakholm left over Monica
score: 47
sents: text: As the term can't be used interchangeably it can only impact you negatively.
text: I would not recommend you to do that.
text: In France, the Engineering diploma can only be delivered by accredited institutions.
text: Words have meanings, and a simple alteration may be greater than what you think.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/46608/Bougret
score: 12
sents: text: You should definitely use the exact name of the degree.
text: That ensures that nobody can feel misled, and reduces the risk of verification problems.
text: If your particular "BS in Software Development" was more rigorous than normal, and you are early enough in your career for degree details to matter, you could supplement by listing some of the subjects you studied, and projects you completed.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/19325/Patricia Shanahan
score: 9
sents: text: Fact: You don't have a BS in Software Engineering.
text: If you claim it on your CV, you are lying.
text: If you lie on your CV, that can have dire consequences years later.
text: Say you stayed with the company for ten years, risen up in the ranks, and for some reason the company decides to get rid of you.
text: If they find you lied on your CV, you are gone.
text: The fact that you have a BS in Software Development doesn't change this one bit.
text: You also stated in your question that you wish to change the title to mislead people.
text: If you wanted to claim that you have a BS in Software Engineering, you should have taken a course that leads to a BS in Software Engineering.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/16101/gnasher729
score: 9
sents: text: It may strongly depend on what country you are submitting the resume in.
text: The Association of Engineers and Geoscientists in Canada regulates the usage of the term "Engineer" in both education and professional capacities.
text: You could find yourself at risk of misrepresenting yourself as an Engineer (or eligible for status as a Professional Engineer or P.Eng.), which carries weight.
text: In some immigration contexts, a mismatch in degree may render you ineligible for visa status (think Japan).
text: I suggest that you play it safe and only use language that you can prove (provide it as written on your degree).
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/90785/Malisbad
score: 1
sents: text: The best way to check yourself, whether you can do that "slight modification" in your resume is to try to use the modified degree name and check it against your college / university whether they can produce any result against that query.
text: In case they return a result with successful candidate and degree certificate, you are probably OK to use the altered nomenclature.
text: However, if it fails to return any result, that means, your university does not recognize the altered name and you would be seen as lying in your resume.
text: Although both terms almost mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably,[..]
text: That's your perception (assumption), it may not be true globally.
text: Do you want to end up being seen as lying?
text: No.
text: TL;DR
text: - When in doubt, go by what is documented and can be proved if required.
text: FootNote:
text: However, many job opportunities mention that you need to have a certain degree or equivalent .
text: Given that the prescribed degree is similar to what you have, you are free to apply but make sure your resume mentions the degree in a way that can be supported with relevant documents (grade sheet, certificates etc.).
text: Whether the organization considers your degree to be eligible, is up to them.
text: At least, you wont be seen as lying.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/61983/Sourav Ghosh
score: 0
sents: text: No, it's not appropriate.
text: The ethical issue aside, if you get caught, it'll make it look like you're willing to stretch the truth to look better (which, according to your question, is exactly what you're thinking about doing).
text: Nothing good could come out of this, and plenty of bad could.
text: As an alternative, you might consider mentioning software engineering as a primary area of study in your description of the degree program.
text: This would have the advantage of actually being true, since I assume that you did study software engineering, even if it's not the "official" title of your degree.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/61906/EJoshuaS - Reinstate Monica
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
It is not generally recommended to change the name of your degree on your resume. You should use the exact name of the degree as this is documented and can be proved. An exception would be if you are translating into another language and then you would have some flexibility.
Whilst it is not definite that this would bother a potential employer, many people would consider this to be inappropriate and that it could have negative consequences for you. The general consensus is that it is safer to use the official wording that appears on your degree certificate. However, if you are applying for a job in another country or in a second language, there may be more flexibility with regard to changing the exact wording.