ZTC Degree Mapping: Unraveling the Credential Maze

In Spring 2018, KPU embarked on a groundbreaking mission: to eliminate textbook costs for students. With support from BCcampus, KPU pioneered Canada's first ZTC Initiative, introducing 75 ZTC sections and a flexible 1-year Certificate in Arts credential. Since then, the initiative has flourished, transforming the educational landscape. Now, just six years later, KPU offers an impressive average of 22% course section offerings with ZTC, along with eight known ZTC credentials, including two four-year Baccalaureate degrees. This commitment to accessible education remains unwavering. Today, KPU boasts a diverse ZTC landscape, spanning multiple disciplines and degree levels. The commitment to accessible education remains at the forefront. But the journey hasn't been without challenges, and in this presentation, we will share a recent project KPU underwent in order to overcome one of our challenges and to move our ZTC Initiative forward in a strategic way. While individual course tracking has improved through integration into the registration system, a critical challenge persists: identifying potential ZTC pathways at the credential level. Historically, KPU relied on manual cross-referencing between degree frameworks and lists of ZTC course data. However, this process was time-consuming and lacked comprehensive insights. In 2024, KPU embarked on a transformative project: digitizing the ZTC credential mapping process. The goal was to create a systematic approach that would facilitate strategic planning and provide comprehensive analysis. Phase 1 of this project involved importing 177 degree frameworks from the KPU Academic Calendar website into MS Excel. These frameworks were organized into separate files for each Faculty. Next, each framework was cross-referenced against a list of historic ZTC courses extracted from the registration system. The initial data analysis yielded valuable insights, revealing the percentage of ZTC courses within each degree. This information allowed KPU to pinpoint degrees that were close to offering ZTC pathways. Building on Phase 1, KPU dug deeper into the data in Phase 2. Which specific courses could strategically enhance ZTC pathways? Which ones were missing? The team identified key courses that, if converted to ZTC, would significantly expand the number of ZTC degree options available to students. To communicate these findings effectively, KPU developed data visualizations and a user-friendly dashboard using Power BI. Armed with a clearer picture of ZTC opportunities, KPU Open is now poised for strategic growth. The "OER Advancement Grant" was created specifically to fund the conversion of courses to ZTC and offer more ZTC credentials. By focusing on degrees or programs that are on the cusp of ZTC readiness, KPU aims to increase student access to affordable education.