Data Analytics
Gain skills and a Google Certificate in 20 weeks without quitting your day job. Pay $0 upfront.
Why Data Analytics?
Considering a career change to data analytics? Data analysts prepare, process, and analyze data to drive decision-making across all industries, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. If you enjoy working with numbers and finding patterns in data, a career in data analytics could be right for you.
Coursework plus a coach who gets you hired
A Career Track is a guided pathway that pairs industry-recognized coursework with real human coaching — together, they turn a certificate into an actual career change.
The coursework
Industry-recognized coursework — the Google Data Analytics Certificate through Coursera. Built for career changers, no experience required.
The coach
Merit America career coaching — workshops, peer support, and 1:1 guidance that keep you on track and help you get hired.
Get connected
We meet learners where they are and connect their prior experience to where they want to go — no degree required.
Learn with tech & “touch”
Complete Google Data Analytics coursework through Coursera while receiving Merit America coaching, peer support, and 1:1 guidance.
Get hired
We help learners identify tailored opportunities across a network of 500+ employers hiring for entry-level data analytics roles.
Keep growing
Lifetime Coursera access, ongoing alumni support, and continuing education — long after you complete the program.
Your 20-Week Roadmap to a Data Analytics Career
Our program structure is designed to fit your life while giving you the rigorous skills employers expect. We provide a blended learning environment where you’ll participate in live virtual meetings and complete coursework independently online.
Getting Oriented
Starting a new career is a big step, and we’re here to make it as smooth as possible. In your first 4 weeks, you’ll dive into the Google Data Analytics Certificate, meet your coach, and start building momentum.
This period helps you experience the pace and expectations of the program. You’ll have through the end of Week 5 to explore and receive a full refund if you decide not to continue.
Technical Skills
Professional Skills
Deep Technical Training
The Immersion phase contains the bulk of your technical and professional skill development, spanning Weeks 5–20. The focus is to ensure you’re prepared for your career transition.
You’ll engage in weekly cohort-wide workshops, career planning 1:1 sessions, and intensive training on tools like Excel, SQL, BigQuery, and Python — culminating in a Capstone project — before officially applying to roles.
Technical Curriculum
Career Preparation
Job Search Your Way
Once you complete the program, you’re in control of how you engage in your job search, with no single required path. Some learners choose a more structured, focused job search through our Alumni Career Accelerator program, while others take advantage of on-demand tools and resources.
Regardless of your path, you’ll retain full access to our Perspectives Wellness Program, lifetime Coursera access, continuing education opportunities, and ongoing alumni support.
Option A: Alumni Career Accelerator
A structured job-search sprint with weekly 1:1 coaching, strict accountability targets, and select employer partner opportunities.
Option B: Flex Support
On-demand access to our Career Services team for mock interviews, resume refinement, career coaching, and job boards.
How Merit America fits around your real life
$0 upfront
Build a career based on your potential, not your bank account. You won’t pay anything until at least three months after you complete or exit your program.
Learn about the costs
- 1 Learn in-demand skills
- 2 Land a great job
- 3 Pay only after the program
- 4 Support future learners
Learn on your time, from anywhere, while keeping your day job
Our programs are built for people with busy lives. Your coursework and meetings are online, and live meetings are only 3–5 hours per week. You can complete the certificate coursework through industry-recognized partners like Google in-between shifts, on weekends — whatever works for your life.
Explore career options
Work with a coach who gets you hired
Your coach is in your corner from day one — helping you build the job search skills, confidence, and strategy to land a role you actually want. Sessions are 1:1, scheduled around your life, and the support continues after you complete the program.
Meet our coachesHear what our alumni have to say
“The Google certificate and real projects at Merit America built my portfolio to show employers what I can truly do.”

“Merit America doesn’t change you from something — it can mold you to anything.”

“I loved the Merit model. It’s for people who want a fresh start but may not want a bachelor’s degree.”

“Merit provides the resources and support I wouldn’t have alone. It’s truly a safety net for career growth.”

“Merit America launched my tech career, proving I didn’t need a formal degree to succeed.”












How does Merit America compare?
If you’re considering a career change into Data Analytics, here’s an honest, side-by-side look at how we stack up against full-time programs and community college options.
| Compare | Merit America | Full-Time Programs | Community College |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Length | 20 weeks | 20–24 weeks | 50–100 weeks |
| In-Person or Remote | Remote | Remote | In-person / Remote |
| Part-Time? | |||
| Program Cost | $5,700 | $16,000–$19,000 | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Certificate Earned | |||
| Organization Type | Non-profit | For-profit | Public / Non-profit |
| Coaching & Job Search Support | |||
| Downside Protection |
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Data Analytics program and how Merit America works.
When does the program start? Are there fixed cohort dates?
Merit America uses dynamic enrollment, which means new cohorts begin every two weeks — you don’t have to wait months for a single fixed start date. Once admitted, you’ll choose the cohort that fits your life, and if the timing isn’t right, you can defer to a later one.
Here’s how it works:
- Apply when you’re ready. No application deadlines.
- Once admitted, claim a spot in an upcoming cohort. Spots fill on a first-come, first-served basis — completing your onboarding steps early gives you the most flexibility.
- Or defer to a later cohort if the timing isn’t right.
- Complete onboarding steps like coach selection and device setup.
- Begin your program when your cohort opens.
This structure ensures every learner starts when they’re ready — supported from day one.
Is the training in-person, online or both?
Merit America provides a blended online learning environment where you will participate in live virtual meetings and complete coursework independently online from industry-recognized partners, like Google.
We 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.
What are the admission requirements?
To be eligible for any of Merit America’s programs, the following must be true:
- You have a high school diploma or GED.
- Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree holders are welcome.
- 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.
What does a typical week look like at Merit America?
Merit America’s Data Analytics program is designed to fit into your busy schedule with a commitment of approximately 20 hours per week — a mix of self-paced online coursework and live, topic-based workshops focused on career coaching and skills practice. Technical advisors are available to help talk through coursework questions as needed.
Live workshops typically take place outside of standard business hours, and while you can complete coursework on your own time, there are required assignments and deadlines that must be met to move forward in the program.
What kind of support will I receive during the course?
When you join Merit America, there’s a team dedicated to your success.
Your coach helps you build the professional and job search skills you need to succeed in today’s market — from refining your resume and preparing for interviews to networking effectively and navigating job offers. They’ll also work with you to chart a clear career path aligned with your goals, and the support continues after you complete the program.
You’ll also join live, topic-based workshops alongside other learners on the same journey. You can pick the sessions that fit your schedule and the skills you want to focus on, like interviewing, resumes, or LinkedIn.
Your technical advisor is available to direct you to appropriate resources if you’re struggling with your Google Data Analytics Certificate coursework.
And our Career Services team provides on-demand support, with optional structured programs like the Alumni Career Accelerator if you want a focused job-search sprint.
Can you guarantee me a job?
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 under the Merit America Guarantee, if you qualify by fulfilling the requirements, and don’t earn at least $40k a year within two years of the Immersion end date of your program, you may be eligible for a full refund.
What does the Data Analytics program cover?
Our Data Analytics program is a 20-week pathway built around the Google Data Analytics Certificate, delivered through Coursera and supplemented with hands-on training, projects, and live workshops.
You’ll learn to prepare, process, and analyze data using spreadsheets, SQL, BigQuery, Python, and visualization tools — building the practical skills employers expect from entry-level analysts. The program culminates in a Capstone Project that demonstrates end-to-end analytical thinking and becomes a portfolio centerpiece.
In addition to technical training, you’ll hone your professional skills and chart your career roadmap with the help of a dedicated coach. Upon completing the program, you’ll be prepared for roles like Business Analyst, Data Operations Coordinator, Data Quality Analyst, Data Visualization Specialist, Junior Financial Analyst, or Research Analyst.

Your success is our mission. Get started.
Apply today and you’ll pair with a coach of your choosing. New cohorts open every two weeks — claim a spot in the next one or defer to a later cohort that fits your life.

