Making lower cost higher education
There is a movement across higher learning institutions globally with the mission to open the doors of college education to everyone who wants to learn, regardless of their social or economic background. Learning centers and educators of all kinds are working together to create course modules, textbooks, supplemental learning resources and even full courses that they can distribute at no cost to the students. At Maricopa Community Colleges, our involvement with this movement – known nationwide as Open Educational Resources (OER) – has saved our students more than 10 million dollars in four years.
OERs are teaching, learning and research resources that are copyright-free or have been released under a Creative Commons copyright license that permits others to reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute them. These include full courses, course modules, syllabi, lectures, homework assignments, quizzes, lab and classroom activities, teaching materials, games, simulations and many other resources contained in digital media collections globally.
OERs are teaching, learning and research resources that are copyright-free or have been released under a Creative Commons copyright license that permits others to reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute them. These include full courses, course modules, syllabi, lectures, homework assignments, quizzes, lab and classroom activities, teaching materials, games, simulations and many other resources contained in digital media collections globally.
Saving students money with Maricopa Millions
In 2013, Maricopa Community Colleges pledged to be a part of the OER initiative by establishing Maricopa Millions. We offer full courses with textbook materials to students, faculty, and the public at an affordable rate. Our student body has saved millions of dollars since we started the program in 2013.
The courses we’ve chosen to be a part of the OER initiative are classes with the highest enrollment rates. A majority of the courses are offered online, but we also have in-person and hybrid options.
Courses designated as “no cost” have no additional cost to the student beyond fees associated with tuition. Courses designated as “low cost” have required course materials that are under $40. These charges are associated with copyrights for textbooks, printing of required materials, or online homework.
The courses we’ve chosen to be a part of the OER initiative are classes with the highest enrollment rates. A majority of the courses are offered online, but we also have in-person and hybrid options.
Courses designated as “no cost” have no additional cost to the student beyond fees associated with tuition. Courses designated as “low cost” have required course materials that are under $40. These charges are associated with copyrights for textbooks, printing of required materials, or online homework.
Maricopa Millions Student Savings
| Yearly | Program Total | |
| Fall 2017 | $1,198,000 | $10,256,000 |
| Spring 2017 | $1,522,000 | $9,058,000 |
| Fall 2016 | $1,580,000 | $7,536,000 |
| Spring 2016 | $1,372,000 | $5,956,000 |
| Fall 2015 | $1,126,000 | $4,584,000 |
| Spring 2015 | $1,056,000 | $3,458,000 |
| Fall 2014 | $920,000 | $2,402,000 |
| Spring 2014 | $818,000 | $1,482,000 |
| Fall 2013 | $664,000 | $664,000 |
Discover your opportunities with OER
To get started with OER courses, follow our step-by-step guide and start saving today.