MC Open: No Textbook Purchases Required
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 the MC Open Student Brochure (PDF, 
) .
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
- Fall 2024 Blended Z-Courses (PDF, )
- Fall 2024 Fully-Online Z-Courses (PDF, )
- Fall 2024 On-Campus Z-Courses (PDF, )
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 in Businessnew window, Communicationsnew window, Criminal Justicenew window, Early Childhood Education Technologynew window, and General Studiesnew window, and we are working to develop more Z-degrees. Students can also complete a Z-certificate for the Data Sciencenew window program.
