Hans Aagard from the Boise State University eCampus Center and Greg Wilson, assistant dean at the College of Western Idaho School of Arts and Humanities, presented their research on zero-textbook-cost degrees, known as “Z-Degrees,” at OER West, according to an April 14 announcement.
The presentation addressed how Z-degrees can reduce financial barriers for students by eliminating traditional textbook costs. This initiative is designed to help adult learners, first-generation college students, and non-traditional students access affordable online degree programs.
Aagard and Wilson discussed the necessary steps to create a cross-institutional Z-degree pathway. These include curriculum mapping between institutions, joint adoption and adaptation of open educational resources (OER), as well as providing advising and marketing support. The goal is to improve transfer coherence between colleges while making higher education more accessible.
A Z-degree allows students to complete all required courses without buying textbooks that cost more than $30 per course. Instead, classes use openly licensed materials that are free or low cost. The pathway being developed by Aagard and Wilson connects the Associate’s Degree in General Studies at the College of Western Idaho with the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Professional Studies at Boise State University. Work on this transfer pathway began in October 2025 and is expected to be completed within the next academic year.
Open educational resources can include textbooks, media files, or other digital materials that may be reused or adapted for teaching purposes while crediting original creators. Student surveys have shown that many do not purchase required course materials due to cost concerns; one survey from the University of Idaho found that nearly half did not buy needed materials because they could not afford them. At Boise State University this academic year alone, students saved over $1.8 million in textbook costs by enrolling in courses using zero- or low-cost materials.
The development of a Z-degree transfer pathway represents an effort by both institutions to make higher education more affordable for a broader range of students.
