CUNY SPS is making college more affordable, more accessible, and more equitable by embracing Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Pedagogy. Through the support of the New York State Open Educational Resources Initiative, SPS faculty are creating Z-degrees and Zero-Textbook-Cost (ZTC) courses, eliminating or reducing the cost of course materials. In addition, faculty are creating and adapting OER and adopting Open Pedagogy practices to enhance authentic, engaged online learning and promote diversity, inclusion, and accessibility for students.
In Spring 2026, OER@SPS climbed to $5.2 million in student savings!
| Sections | Total Enrollment | Total Savings | Mean Savings per Seat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate | 784 | 11,331 | $385,741.26 | $34.04 |
| Undergraduate | 3,805 | 76,455 | $4,812,469.40 | $62.95 |
| Grand Total | 4,589 | 87,786 | $5,198,210.66 | $59.21 |
Z Degrees
CUNY SPS is home to CUNY’s first bachelor’s “Z Degrees.” It is now possible to complete the Communication & Media, Sociology, Liberal Studies, and Disability Studies undergraduate degree programs without ever purchasing a textbook. In addition, over half of CUNY SPS undergraduate sections are Zero-Textbook-Cost and 99% of General Education sections are either zero-cost or low-cost, with textbooks costs under $25 dollars. Additional course conversions and Z Degrees are planned to launch this year. For more info, including how to find and register for a ZTC course in CUNYfirst, check out the Zero Textbook Cost Courses page on the SPS webpage.
