How It Works
Interested in Merit America? Here you’ll find everything you need to know about our programs—and how we’ll help you prepare for a new career in as little as 16 weeks, no previous experience required.
Prepare and land the job through key steps in our program
Three phases, each building on the last—from your very first week of learning to your first day in a new role. Flexible enough to keep your day job. Structured enough to get results.
Get oriented, meet your coach, start building
Starting a new career is a big step, and we’re here to make it as smooth as possible. This phase is your chance to experience Merit America—to see how the coaching feels, how the coursework fits your schedule, and to gain fundamental professional skills. If you find it isn’t right for you, you have up to 5 weeks to cancel with no penalty.
Get started for $0 upfrontDay Job
Coursework
Day Job
Workshop
Day Job
Self-study
Day Job
Workshop
1:1 Coaching
Self-study
Build the skills that get you hired
This is where the real transformation happens. Immersion combines rigorous technical coursework with professional development designed to prepare you for actual job interviews—not just a certificate.
You’ll join live, topic-based workshops at times that work for you, connect with peers on the same journey, and work with coaches who keep you on track. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio, a polished resume, and the confidence to compete.
All coursework is online and self-paced. Most learners spend 10–15 hours per week—evenings, weekends, whenever works for you.
Explore career tracksGoogle Career Certificate
Recognized by 150,000+ employers
Land the job on your own terms
After Immersion, you’re in control. There’s no single required path—you choose how and when you engage in your job search based on your goals, timeline, and life.
Alumni Career Accelerator
A focused sprint with weekly 1:1 coaching, accountability targets, and access to job search tools and opportunities.
Flex Career Support
On-demand coaching for mock interviews, resume refinement, salary negotiation, and job boards—whenever you need it.
Everything you need to go from learner to earner
We designed every part of this program to address the real barriers to career change—not the ideal ones.
A certificate employers actually look for
Every Merit America program includes an industry-recognized credential—most often a Google Career Certificate—that hiring managers at leading companies actively seek out. This isn’t a participation trophy. It’s proof you can do the work.
A coach who knows your name and your goals
Online courses have a completion problem—most people start, few finish, and almost none land new jobs from them alone. That’s why we pair every learner with a dedicated career coach from day one. Not a chatbot. Not a ticket queue. A person invested in your specific outcome.
Learners also choose their coach as part of enrollment, with coaching options that include evenings and weekends—making it easier to get support without rearranging work schedules or family responsibilities.
Doors that don’t open from a job board
We don’t just help you apply to jobs—we help you expand your network with employers who are actively looking for talent like you. Our alumni are taught where to look, how to showcase their resume, and how to get hired through access to events, tools, and resources.
You’re an alumnus for life
When you finish Merit America, you don’t lose access to everything you’ve built. Our alumni community stays open to you indefinitely—because career growth doesn’t stop at your first job offer.
Don’t change careers alone
From day one, you’ll have a dedicated team invested in your success. You’ll never navigate this journey on your own—and your wins will always feel like ours too.
Admissions Advisor
Navigate program details, explore every option to cover the cost, and figure out whether Merit America is the right fit—before you commit a single dollar.
Learn about Admissions
Career Coach
Your coach helps you build a personalized growth plan, sharpen your story, and land the role you’re aiming for. You choose who you work with—with evening and weekend availability.
Meet our coaches
Technical Advisor
A technical expert in your corner for the challenging parts. Many of our Technical Advisors are Merit America alumni—they’ve walked the exact path you’re on right now.
Learn about advisors
Support for the whole you—not just the learner
Changing careers is hard. We’ve built support that addresses real life, not just coursework. These resources are included for every learner and alumnus, at no additional cost.
We care about the success of every learner
Our program isn’t just about earning a certificate; it’s about empowering you with the skills and mindset to build the career you’ve always dreamed of. We help you identify and leverage your transferable skills and position you for success—even without prior industry-specific work experience.
Alumni nationwide
Learners served across the country since 2018—generating more than $1B in cumulative wage gains
Program success rate
3 in 4 alumni with outcome data report a positive career change 3+ months post-program
Avg. annual wage gain
From an average of $27,800 to $48,500+ after completing the program
Our alumni work for the world’s top companies
Where are you in your journey?
Find the right next step based on where you are right now.
Not sure which career path fits your skills?
Take our free quiz to discover which high-demand career track aligns with your background, interests, and goals.
Want to see if you qualify for the program?
Speak with an Admissions Advisor to review your eligibility, explore payment options, and get your questions answered.
Ready to start your next chapter?
New learners start every two weeks. Apply now and begin when the timing is right for your life—no need to wait months for the next cohort.
Pay when you’re earning
At Merit America, we believe that cost should not be a barrier to your career transition.