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MC Open: No Textbook Purchases Required

MC Open: Z Course Student Testimonials

Through our MC Open initiative, you can take courses and even earn a degree without spending any money on textbooks. These Z-courses and Z-degrees make use of Open Educational Resources—teaching and learning materials freely available online for everyone to use, whether you are an instructor, student, or self-learner. Our faculty are continually working to redesign more courses and degree pathways under this model.

You can print a copy of theMC Open Student Brochure(PDF,Get Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader.-Link opens in new window.).


The 5Rs of OER


Z-Courses

Z-courses are courses for which all textbook materials are available at no cost for the section. For labs and art courses, all textbook materials are available at no cost, but you may need to purchase other course materials and supplies. Regular internet access is required for access to materials.

In Z-courses, your instructor will make textbook materials available online via their Blackboard site or some other central location online. You will need regular access to the internet to download and read text materials. In some Z-courses, printed copies of the text may be available for purchase, if you choose. In other cases, you may be able to print materials via the College WEPA system, for cost, if you choose. However, these courses are designed to primarily use electronic materials.

Z-Course Listings


Z-Degrees and Z-Certificate

Z-degrees are recommended pathways that allow you to complete all the requirements for a degree by taking Z-courses. Currently, MC offers Z-degrees inCommunications,Criminal Justicenew window,Early Childhood Education Technologynew window, andGeneral Studiesnew window, and we are working to develop more Z-degrees. Students can also complete a Z-certificate forData Sciencenew windowprogram.

By the Numbers
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590+
Textbook-free Z-courses offered in Fall 2021
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10,653
Enrollments in textbook-free course sections in Fall 2021
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$9.5 million
Estimated textbook savings since Spring 2017