You’ve researched 4-year degrees and certifications; one word keeps popping up: accreditation.
In this article, we discuss what accreditation is, the nature of Merit America’’s work, and the factors that ensure that Merit America is the right choice for you.
Accreditation 101
Accreditation is like a quality check for educational institutions, ensuring they meet certain standards set by a recognized regulatory authority.
Accreditation is important because it helps learners know they’re getting a good education that employers will respect.
Accreditation is especially vital to pursue continuing education, like a master’s, professional degree or doctorate program. It communicates that your prior four-year education meets rigorous industry standards and that you are equipped to build on that knowledge.
For example, if you aspire to become a doctor, you should attend an accredited four-year college. Subsequent doctoral program administrators will want to verify that you received the necessary prior education to succeed in the program.
That said, accreditation is not always required. Skills-based careers, particularly in the tech industry, are abundant and don’t require an accredited four-year degree.
Skills-based careers value practical abilities and hands-on experience over traditional education. They allow you to succeed by mastering specific skills directly relevant to the job. Examples of skills-based careers that don’t require a degree include industries such as IT support, project management, and data analytics.
We believe workforce upskilling and wraparound services that ensure professional success should be accessible to all those traditionally excluded from access to the higher and postsecondary education industry. If you want to earn more money and pursue a more fulfilling career, a skills-based job may be right for you —and Merit America can help you get there!
Is Merit America Accredited?
No, Merit America is not accredited.
We are not a school; therefore, we do not complete the accreditation process.
Merit America is a national nonprofit organization that creates fast, flexible pathways to family-sustaining jobs for career changers without degrees.
Merit America combines third-party curricula and rigorous career coaching (and other wraparound services) to help you gain the hard skills required to succeed in a high-paying, skills-based career. And it works!
We have served more than 10,000 career changers nationwide. Our program has an 80% completion rate, and over 500 employers have hired Merit America alumni. On average, learners who complete our program experience an annual wage gain of nearly $24,000, according to a study conducted by the University of Virginia.
So, no, Merit America is not accredited. Nevertheless, we can help you take the next steps in your career. Keep reading to learn how we do it.
📌 Related reading: Is Merit America Legit?
Why Should I Join Merit America?
✓ We use industry-recognized, third-party curricula.
Merit America uses third-party curricula across all Career Tracks, including the Google UX Design Certificate and Google IT Support Certificate. Why? Because it works!
Google Career Certificates are industry-recognized. Industry experts and senior Google leaders combined their knowledge and experience to create a thorough curriculum for beginners. The result is a purpose-driven certificate program that equips you with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to excel in a real-world, entry-level position.
And, yes, you do get a certificate from Google upon completion!
Maybe you want to self-learn. And that’s just fine. But if you’re like many people who are busy or don’t have a technical background, you might want extra support. After all, only 14% of people complete a professional certificate on their own. We’ve got your back.
We are your learning support. Our technical mentors are available to guide you through coursework, ensure your progress, and be your empathetic learning partner.
“We are focused on giving learners the skills they need for whatever career that will allow them to self-actualize and build an upwardly mobile career, both for themselves and for their families,” said Merit America Co-CEO Connor Diemand-Yauman—read the full article on Stand Together.
You don’t have to do this alone, and we’ve guided thousands of learners through the learning process.
✓ You become part of our tech community.
Transitioning careers can be lonely. While friends are getting dinner, you might be completing coursework or prepping for a job interview.
When you join a Merit America program, you gain access to our network of thousands of alumni nationwide. Here, you’ll network, find support, and share knowledge.
This temporary change can lead to a higher-paying career and an expanded professional network, which is crucial since many experts suggest that at least 80% of all jobs are filled through professional connections.
✓ Our industry partners hire Merit America alumni.
Merit America has a global hiring partner network that includes employers JP Morgan, Chase & Co., Google, Amazon, Accenture, Southwest Airlines, and more.
More than 500+ nationwide employers have hired Merit America alumni, recognizing that they are equipped with the practical skills needed to excel on the job. And the list is constantly expanding!
✓ We offer the Merit America guarantee.
We understand the uncertainty you may have about transitioning careers. It is a normal reaction to the stress and excitement of a major life change.
That said, we are confident in your ability to succeed in our program. We’ve helped career changers just like you acquire technical skills, even without prior experience, and transition into higher-paying, skills-based careers. We’re betting on your success.
The Merit America Guarantee is our promise to you. If you don’t earn at least $40,000 within the two years after you complete the Immersion phase of your Merit America Career Track, you don’t pay anything. You may also qualify for a full refund or cancellation of your loan.
✓ You have opportunities to continue your education.
Our program is designed to shorten the time frame to go from coursework to workforce. Our participants’ average time to get a job is three months.
However, we understand that college may be a lifelong dream, or you may want to pursue promotions with higher pay grades. As a result, college is necessary.
We partner with accredited universities so our alumni can continue their education. Through Merit America, you can receive continuing education credits from our higher education partners, including Northeastern University, Golden Gate University, University of North Texas, and Western Governors University.
Why Join Merit America?
In short, Merit America is not a traditional school, so we’re not accredited. However, our programs are designed to help you create a career plan, gain essential skills, and secure your first entry-level tech role.
Unlike traditional schools, our program isn’t just about earning a diploma, a license, or a certificate; it’s about providing accessible training for $0 upfront to help you launch a career that lasts by offering:
- Comprehensive Technical Training: Merit America provides extensive training that covers essential skills, immersing you in the mindset, processes, and tools that data professionals use every day.
- Peer Group Meetings: Our flexible program pairs you with groups that match your schedule. In these sessions, you’ll collaborate with other Merit America learners to try new skills, participate in interactive program components, share insights, and celebrate achievements together.
- 1:1 Career Coaching: Unlike standalone online courses, learners are paired with Career Coaches who offer personalized feedback and help develop career plans, skills, and a professional profile.
- Placement Support: We understand the challenges of career transitions, so we provide a support network of partners and staff dedicated to reducing job search time, connecting you with entry-level opportunities, and offering goal-based guidance aligned with your career aspirations.
If you’re stuck in a low-paying job with no prior tech skills or education, you can succeed with Merit America. Check out our Career Tracks and join today with $0 upfront costs.
Not ready to apply? Find more answers to frequently asked questions below: