ZTC (Zero-Textbook-Cost) classes have no textbook-related costs, including access fees for online materials. Such classes often use Open Educational Resources (OER) created under a Creative Commons (a public copyright license) that give people the ability to share, use, and build upon a work that has been created. They may also use library ebooks or other sources so there is no cost to the student.

Please talk to a college counselor about which courses are in the ZTC pathway for your planned certificate/degree.

 

ÃÛÌÒAPP faculty have adopted and created OER to provide high-quality educational materials to you at no cost online, and low-cost print options.

NOTE: Please be aware that there might be other fees associated with the course, e.g., calculator, safety goggles, etc.

Woman sitting in a chair introducing Zero Textbook Cost classes.
Remote video URL

Earn a Degree Without Purchasing One Textbook

Saddleback offers many ZTC degrees and certificates. This means that students can earn a degree or certificate in one of the following programs without buying one textbook. NOTE: Please talk to a college counselor about which courses are in the ZTC pathway for your planned certificate/degree.

ProgramProgram/Award
Accessory DesignJob Skills Certificate
Advanced Fashion Design and Apparel ManufacturingCertificate of Achievement
Aging Studies Interdisciplinary Certificate of Achievement
Aging Studies Certificate of Achievement
AnthropologyAssociate of Arts
AnthropologyAssociate in Arts for Transfer
American Sign Language Associate of Science
Associate Teacher Level II: Work ExperienceCertificate of Achievement
Associate Teacher level ICertificate of Achievement
AstronomyAssociate of Science
Basic Music SkillsCertificate of Achievement
Business Communication SkillsCertificate of Achievement
Child and Adolescent DevelopmentAssociate in Arts for Transfer
Cinema-Television-RadioAssociate of Science
Cinema-Television-RadioCertificate of Achievement
Cinema-Television-Radio Career SkillsCertificate of Achievement
Clinical Laboratory Assistant/ Phlebotomy ProgramCertificate of Completion
CoachingOccupational Skills Award
Commercial MusicCertificate of Achievement
Communication Studies 2.0Associate in Arts for Transfer
CostumingCertificate of Achievement
Creative WritingAssociate of Arts
DanceAssociate of Arts
Early Childhood EducationAssociate in Arts for Transfer
EconomicsAssociate in Arts for Transfer
EconomicsAssociate of Arts
EnglishAssociate in Arts for Transfer
English LiteratureAssociate of Arts
Event PlannerOccupational Skills Award
Fashion DesignAssociate of Science
Fashion DesignCertificate of Achievement
Fashion Display and PresentationAssociate of Science
Fashion MerchandisingAssociate of Science
Fashion MerchandisingCertificate of Achievement
Fashion TechnologyOccupational Skills Award
Gender and Sexuality StudiesAssociate of Arts
GeographyAssociate in Arts for Transfer
GeographyAssociate of Arts
Global StudiesAssociate in Arts for Transfer
HistoryAssociate in Arts for Transfer
HistoryAssociate of Arts
Hospitality ManagementAssociate in Science for Transfer
HumanitiesAssociate of Arts
Instrumental StudiesCertificate of Achievement
Introduction to Baking and PastryCertificate of Achievement
Introduction to Culinary ArtsAssociate of Science
Introduction to Culinary ArtsCertificate of Achievement
Jazz Composition Certificate of Achievement
Jazz StudiesCertificate of Achievement
Keyboard StudiesCertificate of Achievement
Law, Public Policy, and SocietyAssociate in Arts for Transfer
Liberal StudiesAssociate of Arts
MusicAssociate in Arts for Transfer
MusicAssociate of Arts
Music CompositionCertificate of Achievement
Music ProductionJob Skills Certificate
Music Production EntrepreneurshipCertificate of Achievement
Persian Associate of Arts
PhotographyAssociate of Arts
PhysicsAssociate in Science for Transfer
PhysicsAssociate of Science
Political ScienceAssociate in Arts for Transfer
PsychologyAssociate in Arts for Transfer
SociologyAssociate in Arts for Transfer
Studio ArtsAssociate in Arts for Transfer
Studio ArtsAssociate of Arts
Surface DesignCertificate of Achievement
Sustainable Fashion and Social EntrepreneurshipJob Skills Certificate
Theatre ArtsAssociate in Arts for Transfer
Theatre Arts Technical TheatreAssociate of Arts
Theatre Arts Entertainment and Theatre TechnologyCertificate of Achievement
Travel and TourismAssociate of Arts
Travel and TourismCertificate of Achievement
Visual Display and PresentationCertificate of Achievement
Vocal StudiesCertificate of Achievement
  • AA General Studies - Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • AA General Studies- Arts & Humanities
  • AA General Studies - Interdisciplinary Studies
  • AA General Studies - Natural Sciences
  • General Education CSU GE Certificate of Achievement
  • General Education IGETC Certificate of Achievement
  • Associate Degree (local)
  • Adult Education Basic Technology Skills
  • Adult Education English as a Second Language (AESL) for the Workplace
  • Adult Education English as a Second Language - Advanced Level
  • Adult Education English as a Second Language - Beginning Level
  • Adult Education English as a Second Language - Intermediate Level
  • Basic Culinary Skills
  • High School Equivalency for Language Arts Success
  • High School Equivalency for Mathematics Success
  • Family Childcare
  • Communication Skills for Nursing Students

Frequently Asked Questions

In the class schedule, on the Browse Classes page type "Zero Textbook Cost" into the Attribute field.

Your OER textbook may be sent as a PDF, be made available on a website, or embedded into the course within Canvas. Check with the instructor of the course for more information.

You may print a copy of the material for yourself but check with your instructor for options.

If you have further questions or would like more information on the ZTC courses, you can to learn more about the program.

Student Testimonials

ZTC Ashley L.

The biggest benefits of the ZTC courses were the cost savings and the accessibility. When you’re enrolling for classes you’re a little hesitant because the textbook costs serve as a hurdle. The ZTC materials are definitely more accessible than textbooks. You can access them on your phone wherever you are. I don’t need to bring a book with me. You can get to topics you want quickly because it’s all organized for you. The information in my economics materials was up to date and included charts and graphics to help you understand the concepts.

Ashley L.
ZTC Courses Taken: English 1BH – Honors Principles of Composition II Economics 4 – Principles (Micro)
ZTC Michael H.

This past fall I found the ZTC tab in the Class Schedule and I found that lots of courses were being offered with ZTC. I was very surprised with how inclusive the materials were in terms of content. One course (the material) was offered as a PDF while other courses provided a full-fledged digital textbook. The materials included study guides, quick quizzes and being digital, I could use the search function to find a specific thing. The ZTC courses leave more money in your pocket for food, gas, etc. Sometimes a textbook can be more expensive than the class. One of the textbooks for a non-ZTC class was around $200. I was able to take an extra class with the money I saved from enrolling in a ZTC course instead.

Michael H.
ZTC Courses Taken: Economics 2H – Honors Principles of Macroeconomics Economics 4 – Principles (Micro) English 25 – Introduction to Literature
Satanai A.

I was really happy that I was able to save money and still receive a quality education with the ZTC classes. Money, for me, is the biggest factor, I was able to save money and still receive a quality education on top of that. The materials were up to date and featured a lot of recent information which is important for the political science and sociology classes.

Satanai A.
ZTC Courses Taken: Political Science 1 – American Government Sociology 2 – Social Problems