Launch your higher-paying career in the Bay Area
With our flexible online programs, gain in-demand skills and an industry-recognized certificate in as little as 14 weeks—without quitting your job.
Advance your career with a fully-sponsored program
Merit America helps working adults move into higher-paying careers. Eligible Bay Area residents can train for an industry-recognized credential in as little as 12 weeks — part-time, online, and at no cost.
A nonprofit built for working adults
Merit America is on a mission to create a scalable path to higher-paying careers for working adults. Eligible Bay Area residents get access to our programs at no cost.
We start by analyzing millions of job postings to identify in-demand, high-paying roles, then train for them through part-time online learning paired with best-in-class coaching — so you can earn an industry-recognized credential in as little as 12 weeks, without quitting your day job.
After completing the program, you’ll join a growing network of nearly 20,000 alumni and top employers nationwide, including JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, Tesla, Walmart, and Accenture. On average, alumni see a $21,000 wage increase three or more months after completing the program.
See if your $0 sponsored seat is available
Enter your home ZIP code — we’ll check your eligibility right away.
Choose your fully sponsored program
Five career tracks and two 6-week Essentials courses, all fully sponsored for eligible Bay Area residents — $0, part-time, and 100% online.
IT Support
Troubleshooting, networking, and tech support fundamentals, backed by the Google IT Support Certificate — one of the most in-demand entry-level tech credentials.
No-cost training
Data Analytics
Collect, analyze, and visualize data with SQL, spreadsheets, Tableau, and R, and earn the Google Data Analytics Certificate along the way.
No-cost training
Cybersecurity
Network security, threat analysis, and security operations, backed by the Google Cybersecurity Certificate — one of the fastest-growing fields in tech.
No-cost training
Operations+
Supply chain, logistics, and AI-driven operations in one accelerated program, combining ASCM fundamentals with the Google AI Certificate.
No-cost training
Human Resources+
People operations, hiring, and employee relations, backed by aPHR certification prep and the Google Project Management Certificate.
No-cost training
Supply Chain
Learn logistics, inventory, and operations management skills.
No-cost training
UX Design
Create user experiences with products that are useful, enjoyable, and accessible
No-cost training
Project Management
Lead projects to ensure successful outcomes through strategic thinking.
No-cost training
Real-life wage gains
The majority of our alumni provide outcome data and report an average annual wage gain of nearly $21,000 three or more months after completing the program — raising their average pre-program salary from $27,800 to $48,500 post-program.
Learn about our impact
Learn on your time, from anywhere, while keeping your job
Every program is built for people with busy lives. Coursework and coaching are 100% online, so you can complete it between shifts, on weekends, or whatever works for your schedule — no commute, no time away from work required.
Explore the programs
Work with a coach dedicated to your success
Get personalized career coaching alongside your coursework. You choose your own coach and can take advantage of evening and weekend availability, so you always have support when you need it — during the program and after.
Meet our coaches
Frequently asked questions
More questions? Email admissions@meritamerica.org.
It’s 100% online, with live support built in. You’ll join live, topic-based workshops and virtual sessions with your coach, and complete coursework independently through industry-recognized partners like Google.
You’ll use tools you’ll encounter in the workplace: Zoom, Slack, Google Workspace, and the Merit America Learner Portal.
To be eligible for any Merit America program, all of the following must apply:
- You have a high school diploma or GED. Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree holders are welcome.
- You are a fluent English speaker, reader, and writer.
- You are a U.S. resident and authorized to work in the U.S.
- DACA and Temporary Residents must have a status/visa that does not expire within six months of the Immersion phase start date.
- Residents of U.S. territories are eligible.
- You are 18 years of age or older.
- You will be seeking full-time employment upon program completion.
Merit America programs are designed to fit around a working schedule. You’ll spend about 15–20 hours a week on online coursework, and 3–5 hours a week in live, topic-based workshops and sessions with your career coach and technical coach.
Live sessions are usually scheduled outside typical business hours, and you can complete coursework whenever you have free time — including between shifts.
From day one, a career coach helps you build professional skills and map your career path, while a technical coach supports the hands-on learning. You’ll also learn alongside peers in live workshops.
After you complete the program, you transition to alumni career support — with structured or on-demand coaching from our Career Services team and access to employer partnerships tailored to Merit America alumni.
We can’t guarantee a specific job or salary, but we’ll be there every step of the way. Our structured curriculum, career coaching, and job-search support have helped 75% of alumni report a successful outcome 3+ months after completing the program.
Plus, under the Merit America Guarantee, if you don’t earn at least $40,000 within two years of completing the Immersion phase, you don’t pay.
All five career tracks — IT Support, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Operations+, and Human Resources+ — are fully sponsored for eligible Bay Area residents, along with the AI Essentials and Job Search Accelerator skill builders. There is no cost to apply or enroll.
Don’t leave a sponsored seat on the table
These seats are fully sponsored — $0 cost to eligible Bay Area residents. Check your ZIP now, since enrollment is first-come, first-served.
Checking your ZIP takes seconds — applying takes about 10 minutes.