Zero Textbook Cost Pathways

A Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) pathway is a degree or certificate program designed to eliminate the need for students to purchase traditional textbooks. Instead, instructors use free and openly licensed educational resources (OER), library materials, and other no-cost alternatives to support learning. By removing the financial burden of expensive textbooks, ZTC pathways make college more affordable, equitable, and accessible. Students can stay on track academically, reduce their overall debt, and move confidently toward achieving their educational goals.

$0 Textbook Cost Degrees and Certificates

 Associate Degrees

• Arts and Humanities, Associate of Arts
• Business, Associate in Science
• Health Science, Associate of Arts
• Kinesiology, Associate of Arts for Transfer
• Management (Applied), Associate in Science
• Marketing, Associate in Science
• Science and Math, Associate of Arts
• Social and Behavioral Sciences, Associate of Arts
• Sociology, Associate of Arts for Transfer
• Supply Chain Management, Associate in Science

Certificates

• Aging Studies, Certificate of Achievement
• Business, Certificate of Achievement
• Digital Media Production, Certificate of Specialization
• Digital Media Animation and Gaming, Certificate of Specialization
• Marketing, Certificate of Achievement
• Pre-Medical Studies, Certificate of Achievement
• Project Management Essentials, Certificate of Specialization
• Supply Chain Management, Certificate of Achievement
• Wellness Coaching, Certificate of Achievement

Non-Credit Certificates

• Animal Care, Certificate of Completion
• Art Basics, Certificate of Completion
• Core Professional Skills for Artists, Certificate of Completion
• Creative Arts Basics, Certificate of Completion
• Culinary Arts, Certificate of Completion
• Customer Service Technology Level 1, Certificate of Completion
• Customer Service Technology Level 2, Certificate of Completion
• Drama Basics, Certificate of Completion
• English Language Learning Beginning-Level Skills, Certificate of Completion
• English Language Learning Intermediate to Advanced Oral/Aural Skills, Certificate of Completion
• ESL Preparation for Digital Learning, Certificate of Competency
• Guest Services, Certificate of Completion
• Health and Wellness for Esports, Certificate of Completion
• Horticulture, Certificate of Completion
• Introduction to Careers in Esports, Certificate of Completion
• Language Preparation for U.S. Citizenship, Certificate of Competency
• Mathematics for Workforce Developmental Skills, Certificate of Competency
• Music Basics, Certificate of Completion
• Online Learning Basics, Certificate of Competency
• Porter, Certificate of Completion
• Successful Online Learning, Certificate of Competency
• Supplemental Instruction, Certificate of Competency

How to Find Classes with Free Textbooks

Looking for classes with free textbooks? Follow these steps:

1. Go to coastline.edu and select "Class Schedule & Catalog" under Academics
2. Once you've opened the searchable class schedule, select the desired term
3. Select the subject(s) you want to take
4. Under Attributes, select "Zero Cost Materials"
5. After you hit search, all classes with free materials and textbooks will appear

Watch Elizabeth Horan, Coastline's Librarian, explain in a video how to find classes with free textbooks on the Textbook Help webpage.