Cybersecurity

The training is 100 percent online, but it’s interactive.  You will complete your Google certificate program on the Coursera platform.  You will interact with your squad and access career coaching services through the Merit America platform.  Both provide a blended online learning environment where you will participate in live virtual meetings and complete coursework independently online through industry-recognized partners, like Google.

You will leverage learning tools such as the widely used digital workplace platforms and software, including: Zoom, Slack, Google Suite, and our customized Merit America Learner Portal.

To be eligible for any of Merit America’s programs, the following must be true:

• You have a high school diploma or GED.
• Associates and bachelor’s degree holders are welcome.
• You do not have a graduate degree and are not currently enrolled in a graduate program
• You are a fluent English speaker, reader, and writer.
• You are a resident of the U.S. 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 start date.
  • Residents of U.S. territories are eligible for our program.
• You are 18 years of age or older.
• You will be seeking full-time employment upon completion of the program.

Merit America programs are flexible to fit into your busy schedule. For the Cybersecurity program, you’ll spend about 15-20 hours in online coursework and 5 hours working on professional skill development with the help of your career coach, technical advisor, and a squad of your peers.

The sessions are usually after typical business hours, and the coursework can be completed whenever you have free time.

When you join Merit America, there’s a team dedicated to your success.

Your program success manager and career coach helps you develop the professional skills you need to succeed in the job market, and will work with you to chart your career path.

Your cohort is made up of talented people just like you, and you’ll work alongside them to complete coursework and develop projects.

Your job success specialist will help you find job opportunities that match your interests and skills. We also have an employer partnerships team that sources jobs directly from employers that are made for Merit America alumni.

We can’t guarantee job placement or salaries, but we do provide you with a structured training curriculum, professional career development, and dedicated job-placement support. Because of this, the majority of job-seeking alumni are placed in new jobs within three months of completion.

But we can guarantee you won’t have to pay if you don’t obtain employment within 2 years after completing the Immersion phase of your program as defined in our Tuition Refund Guarantee.

Merit America’s Cybersecurity program offers a combination of technical training from organizations like Google and professional skills development. You’ll earn the Google Cybersecurity Certificate while learning critical technical content and honing essential professional skills with personalized support from Merit America coaches.

Upon completing the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, you’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of key cybersecurity practices, including:

• Information Security
• Network Security
• TCP/IP
• Cryptography
• Threat Analysis
• Security Frameworks (NIST CSF, RMF)

The program provides hands-on experience with Python, Linux, SQL, and tools such as Splunk, Chronicle, Wireshark, Tcpdump, and Suricata. You’ll explore various security domains, including Network Architecture, Threat Detection, Security Audits, Incident Response Playbooks, and Packet Analysis, preparing you to protect networks, devices, and data from cyber threats.

In addition to technical training, you’ll receive guidance from a dedicated career coach to refine your professional skills and create a clear roadmap for success in the cybersecurity field.

Upon completing the program, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of cybersecurity roles, including but not limited to Junior Security Analyst, Junior Incident Responder, Tier I SOC Analyst, SOC Technician, Junior Network Administrator, Network Support Technician, Network Security Analyst, Help Desk Technician, IT Support Specialist, Desktop Support Technician, Information Security Technician, Junior Vulnerability Manager, and Vulnerability Analyst, among others.

You can view the full program syllabus here!