FY21 Z-degree Project Participants Announced

Minnesota State is happy to announce the second round of Zero-Textbook Cost Degree (Z-degree) Project participants. This is a continuation of the direction from the State of Minnesota 91st Legislature (SF2415). 

 There were three categories of Z-degree Project funding for FY21:

1. Exploration (funding up to $25,000) 

Campuses that received Exploration funding will prepare a foundation for Z-degree development; including faculty development, open textbook exploration and review, and building open textbook capacity in the transfer curriculum. 

  • Minnesota West Community and Technical College
  • St. Paul College

2. Implementation (funding up to $100,000) 

Campuses that received Implementation funding will create, finalize, and implement a new Z-degree; such as finalizing course development for a Z-degree and creating a Z-degree and offer it in fall of FY23. 

  • Hibbing Community College 
  • Minnesota State Community and Technical College 
  • St. Cloud Technical and Community College 

3. Expansion (funding up to $25,000) 

Campuses that received Expansion funding will increase the number and type of courses offered in an existing Z-degree; such as adding additional courses or sections, or increasing the number of faculty using zero textbook cost materials. 

  • Century College 
  • Lake Superior College 
  • Mesabi Range College
  • Northland Community and Technical College 

The following six colleges were participants of the FY20 Z-degree Project:  

  • Anoka-Ramsey Community College 
  • Century College 
  • Lake Superior College 
  • Mesabi Range College 
  • Minneapolis College 
  • Northland Community and Technical College 

Five of the six colleges have met their goal of offering a full Z-degree in the Fall 2020 semester, the sixth college expects to offer a Z-degree in spring 2021. 


Faculty and staff can visit the Minnesota State OER Community Site for resources and activities that support OER and Z-degree efforts. Learn more about OER at www.MinnState.edu/OER.

Questions? Contact Tim Anderson

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