I have applied to both UOP and AIU with different degree types. I am interested in both but I don't know whether it is possible for me to do both. AIU has a bachelor in fine arts with a concentration in web design. UOP has a bachelors of information technology with a concentration of software engineering. Is it possible to do both programs at different schools at the same time?

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I don't know whether U of P or AIU require you to obtain permission to take other classes while enrolled, but some colleges do.  However, my opinion is that it might be better not to work on two Bachelor's degrees simultaneously.

Have you considered getting a degree in Software Engineering or something similar and taking web design courses as electives?  You might be able to cover much of the same ground without the additional time and cost involved in getting two degrees.

If you really want both degrees, I think it would be better to do them consecutively.  You would probably finish both in about the same time, but you would have one much sooner.  And you may decide after a few years that you need a break from college for a while... if you were working on two degrees simultaneously, you might still have a significant amount of work to do to get either at that point.  The only advantage I can think of to doing both at once is that it's more likely that you would be able to keep the pipeline full, so to speak, by having a larger number of courses available to schedule each semester. 

Thanks for the info!

I agree, taking both of those at the same time would be a mistake.  Which do you prefer, web design or software engineering?

-=Steve=- 

Compare the two degrees with a critical eye. With a very brief look at the AIU Visual Communication/Web Design degree what I see is essentially a graphics oriented program. If that is what you want to do then great! But if you want to get into the "guts" of development, then a Software Engineering degree would be more in line with that goal.

If I were looking at the two degrees as a hiring manager I would think the Web Designer graduate can lay out a great web page, but may be limited in their ability to make it "sing and dance" while the Software Engineer graduate will probably be able to do both - depending on experience of course. If you're not quite sure I would recommend the Software Engineering degree.

Now UoP... that's a different discussion.

Hi There.  I also do not think it's a good idea to do both.  I do not know anything about AIU, but I currently attend UoP (Well, I am in Axia's program at UoP which is the associates part before UoP specifically) I like it - it has pros and cons, but overall I am happy with the decision to attend UoP

Attending two programs at the same time would likely be a very expensive and stress inducing mistake.  I strongly recommend against that and this is coming from a guy who once did that. 

I actually just re-read your post, if you are going to spend the money, have you thought about looking into online courses through the art institute? I am not sure how financially the Art Institute compares to UoP and the other, but the Art Institute is more specific for art type degrees - media, graphic, IT, design, etc.

Here is the link http://www.artinstitutes.edu/