title: Updating/Insert 2 different models on same screen?
body: <p>I am working on an edit view that allows a user to edit a particular entity.  One of the drop down menus needs to allow the user to create a new instance of a different related entity if they don't see one that exists already.  I'm trying to figure out the best practice for this.</p>
  
  <p>The model they are editing:</p>
  
  <pre><code> public class SurveyProgramModel
      {
  
          [Key]
          public int ProgramId { get; set; }
  
          [DisplayName("Year")]
          public int ProgramYear { get; set; }
  
          [DisplayName("Status")]
          public int ProgramStatusId { get; set; }
  
          [DisplayName("Program Title")]
          public string ProgramTitle { get; set; }
  
          public int ProgramTypeId { get; set; }
  
          [DisplayName("Program Type")]
          public virtual SurveyProgramTypeModel ProgramType { get; set; }
  
          [DisplayName("Status")]
          public virtual ProgramStatusModel ProgramStatusModel { get; set; }
  
          public virtual ICollection&lt;SurveyResponseModel&gt; SurveyResponseModels { get; set; }
      }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>If the user does not see a <code>ProgramType</code> that fits what they want, they need to have an empty text box that allows them to create a new <code>ProgramType</code>.</p>
  
  <pre><code>Here is the ProgramType model:
  
     public class SurveyProgramTypeModel
      {
  
          [Key]
          public int ProgramTypeId { get; set; }
  
          [DisplayName("Program Type")]
          public string ProgramType { get; set; }
  
          public virtual ICollection&lt;SurveyProgramModel&gt; SurveyProgramModels { get; set; }
  
      }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>What is the best practice for updating 2 models in a single submission?  How do I keep my view Strongly Typed to <code>SurveyProgramModel</code>?  Create a View Model?  </p>