Zero Textbook Cost Courses and Z-Degrees

Save Money with Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Courses

Howard Community College offers Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses and degree programs designed to help students save money and access high-quality learning materials. By eliminating the cost of traditional textbooks, ZTC courses can significantly reduce the overall expense of education. 

A ZTC Course is a section of a course where there is no required purchase of a textbook; in ZTC courses, instructors provide textbook instructional materials electronically using Open Educational Resources (OER), which are free resources for teaching, learning, and research. Students will need regular and reliable Internet access to complete coursework.

A Z-Degree is a program that allows students the option to earn an associate degree by completing courses without spending money on textbooks. All required textbooks are provided for free online or in other accessible formats.

Why choose a ZTC Course or Z-Degree?

• Save Money: Students access digital textbooks for free, eliminating traditional textbook costs.
• Easy Access: Students get instant access to digital textbooks online, 24/7.
• Quality Courses: ZTC courses uphold academic standards that match or exceed those of traditional classes.
• Sustainable: Digital resources reduce paper waste and ensure students retain permanent, on-demand access.

ZTC Student Feedback:

"It allows the professor to provide students with material that is better suited for the course.”
"It made things a lot easier to understand because we had a lot of resources to access. It was also easy on the budget for classes."

Learn More

Need more information about HCC’s ZTC Courses and Z-Degrees? Check out the FAQs below to learn how these options can help you save money while staying on track with your academic goals.