Z-Degrees

Z-Degree Project

A Z-degree is a complete associate or bachelor's degree program that exclusively use course resources that are no cost to students, such as: 

  • open educational resources (OER)
  • open textbooks  
  • library-curated materials

To be considered a Z-degree course, the instructor cannot require students to purchase any course resources. Optional or supplemental resources that are a cost to students may be recommended.

Finding Z-Degree Courses

Students at campuses that offer Z-degrees can find courses that have no cost course materials via the Course Search page in e-Services. Click on the Expand/Collapse for Advanced Search dropdown menu and select No cost for textbooks.

Z-Degree Campuses

The following Minnesota State colleges and universities are in process of developing Z-degree courses:

  1. Alexandria Technical & Community College

  2. Bemidji State University

  3. Dakota County Technical College

  4. Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

  5. Minnesota State College Southeast

  6. Minnesota State University, Mankato

  7. Northwest Technical College

  8. Saint Paul College

  9. Southwest Minnesota State University

  10. St. Cloud State University

  11. Winona State University

Reports to the Legislature

Find Z-Degree Reports to the Legislature on the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.

Faculty and Staff

Minnesota State faculty and staff can learn more about Z-degrees in the OER Community Site using your StarID@MinnState.edu and password.