Multiple Degrees Simultaneously

I am asking, in general, what is the ethical reason that one cannot reuse classes for more than one degree. I am confident we can all agree that a binding agreement is prima facie binding, although I never read such explicit agreement between student and school system.

 

There really is no ethical reason you cannot "reuse" classes unless the institution has a policy against it and you willingly violate said policy.

Example 1: No Ethical Dilemma

You earn 117 credits at a school, which has no policy about you earning a second degree while enrolled in their program, you transfer those courses to another school. You finish two classes (one at each school) and now have two bachelors degrees.

Example 2: Ethical Dilemma

You earn 117 credits at College A. College A has a policy that says you cannot be simultaneously enrolled in another degree program. You agree to this policy. Before enrolling in your final course at College A, you send your transcripts to College B and enroll in a new program. You finish both courses and have two degrees even though you explicitly violated the school policy of College A.

Another key issue, which in and of itself presents no ethical dilemma, is that many schools have second degree rules. I have a B.S. from CTU. If I send my transcripts to TESC, I can earn a second bachelors. However, they are going to require that I complete 24 credits post B.S. in order to earn that degree. Had I stopped just short of earning my B.S., TESC would likely accept all of my credits for transfer and I may only have to finish one or two classes. But, because I graduated, I have to take a minimum of 8 classes (post graduation) to qualify for the new degree.

I don't think it is an ethical issue, per se. I think it is a matter of TESC and Excelsior not wanting to get into the business of simply "reissuing" degrees. TESC and Exclesior get the same amount of money whether I transfer in 120 credits or 144 credits.

 

In absence of an agreement or policy, I do not believe there is any ethical issue on "reuse" of classes. I cannot find an academic reason to have such agreement or policy. I find even less reasoning not to be able to attend two higher learning institutions simultaneously.

"Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough." - Janwillem van de Wetering

To return to the original question - in my opinion, yes, it is "acceptable / allowed to do two or more degrees simultaneously" as long as all involved institutions acknowledge and agree to it. Yes, it is ethical if it does not violate any agreement between the student and institutions.