In 2025, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) reached a major milestone when it surpassed the $4 million mark for student savings on textbooks, thanks to Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses and Open Educational Resources (OER).
Since 2017, CUNY SPS has been integrating OER, which are openly licensed, reusable, and adaptable materials, and ZTC content, which includes links to free scholarly and professional websites, resources from CUNY library databases, and multimedia lectures created by CUNY SPS professors, to create ZTC and LTC (Low Textbook Cost) classes. With generous funding annually by the New York State Open Educational Resources Initiative, CUNY SPS has been able to convert over 200 courses from traditional commercial textbooks to materials that are free to students. As of 2025, the School has saved our students over $4.3 million dollars in total on textbook costs.
Interim Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Jennifer Sparrow detailed the School’s commitment to OER. “At CUNY SPS, we have adopted an ‘OER First’ approach that prioritizes open or low-cost resources when we develop or revise courses,” said Dr. Sparrow. “This incremental yet significant shift has transformed pedagogy at the School, increasing our Zero Textbook Cost sections from just 35 in Spring 2017 to 316 in Spring 2025. The sustained commitment and innovation of our dedicated faculty and staff have driven this remarkable growth.”
Sarah Kresh, a faculty development and instructional design manager in the Office of Faculty Development and Instructional Technology (OFDIT), tracks OER courses and savings at CUNY SPS as part of her work overseeing the initiative. Kresh, who received the Open Education Global Emerging Leader Award in 2022 for her OER efforts, was thrilled to share the news of this financial touchpoint.
“Saving SPS students over $4 million through the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) and zero-textbook-cost materials was such an exciting milestone to hit!” said Kresh. “We are very thankful to the New York State OER Initiative and to our colleagues at the CUNY Office of Library Services for their support of this work.”
Today, 99% of the School’s General Education classes are now either ZTC or LTC. Additionally, there are four undergraduate ‘Z degrees:’ Communication and Media, Disability Studies, Sociology, and Liberal Studies. Additional ZTC degree programs are in the planning stages.
Recent alum Courtney Brown (BA in Sociology ‘25), who is returning to CUNY SPS to pursue her master’s in Disability Studies, is one of the many students who have benefited from OER, ZTC, and LTC courses.
“Pursuing both of my degrees through programs that fall under the OER initiative has been a tremendous help, especially in today’s tough economy,” Brown noted. “Not having to worry about the high cost of textbooks has allowed me to redirect that money toward essentials, like keeping food on the table…. I’m incredibly grateful for this program. It’s eased a lot of financial stress and made it possible for me to focus on my education without constantly worrying about how I’m going to afford my books.”
The table below summarizes the savings for students:
Total student savings from using OER and ZTC course materials, Spring 2017 to Spring 2025. | ||||
| Sections | Total Enrollment | Total Savings | Average Savings per Student, per Course |
Graduate | 664 | 9,574 | $342,780.48 | $35.80 |
Undergraduate | 3,178 | 63,306 | $4,000,950.28 | $63.20 |
Grand Total | 3,842 | 72,880 | $4,343,730.76 | $59.60 |
About the CUNY School of Professional Studies
As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.
Press Contact
Prerna Dar
CUNY SPS Chief Marketing Officer
Prerna.Dar@cuny.edu