Human Resources+

Prepare for your Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification and gain Google Project Management skills in 22 weeks. Pay $0 upfront.

22 weeks
20 hours/week

Apply now for cohort starting: October 27, 2025

Why Human Resources?

Ready to launch your HR career with a competitive edge? Human Resources+ is a dynamic, people-focused field where you help build stronger workplaces while managing the projects that make it happen. It’s perfect for those passionate about supporting employees, improving workplace culture, and getting things done. No HR experience required—this program takes you from beginner to confident professional.

Competitive Compensation: HR professionals with project management skills are in high demand across industries, with entry-level salaries starting at $55,000+ on average.

In-Demand Careers: With dual preparation for the aPHR certification and Google Project Management Certificate, plus professional skills training from our best-in-class coaches, you’ll qualify for more than 120,000+ U.S. job openings across both small businesses and large organizations.

Fulfilling Work: Engage in roles that combine people support with project leadership, helping employees while driving workplace improvements. Many HR positions offer flexible work schedules, supporting a healthy work-life balance. Through the HR + Project Management Career Track, alumni are prepared for roles such as HR Coordinator, HR Generalist, Recruiting Coordinator, HR Assistant, Project Coordinator, HR Specialist, Employee Relations Coordinator, Benefits Coordinator, Operations Coordinator, and more.

A photo of a video interview with a recruiter.

Merit America is an Official Certification Preparation Provider with HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®)!

Our program prepares you for the Associate Professional in Human Resources® (aPHR®) certification exam. Earning this industry-recognized credential not only boosts your resume, but also demonstrates that your skills meet globally recognized HR standards.

Disclaimer: The HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) does not endorse any particular preparation program or offering. We encourage prospective certification holders to use a variety of resources that reflect their learning styles and needs. Purchasing a certification product is NOT required and HRCI does not guarantee that an individual will pass based on the purchase of a certification preparation product.

The red-and-purple HR design, HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE, aPHR, aPHRi, PHR, PHRca, PHRi, SPHR, SPHRi and GPHR are trademarks of registered trademarks of Human Resource Certification Institute, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Used Under License.

Our alums work for the world’s top tech companies

Get started with $0 upfront

Build a career based on your potential, not your bank account.

Learn about program costs

A Merit America learner receiving one-on-one career coaching and job placement support.

Learn in-demand skills
Land a great job
Pay only after the program
Support the next class

Work Life Balance

Your third-party coursework and Merit America career coaching services are online. Live meetings are only 3-5 hours per week. You can complete the coursework in-between work shifts, on weekends – whatever works for your life.

A woman sits on the floor, working her remote job in tech.

Monday, January 10

Merit America Program

At Work 8am – 3pm
Online Coursework 3pm – 5pm
Daycare pick-up 5:15pm
Family Dinner 6pm
1:1 Career Coaching 8pm

Work with a team dedicated to your success

Meet regularly with a career coach and squad of your peers to keep you on track. After you finish, you’ll join a network of thousands of Merit America alumni.

Meet your support team

Joining…

Michael, Career Coach
How’s your coursework going this week?
Cora
I’m really struggling with my resume…
Michael, Career Coach
You’ve got this! Let me connect you with our job success coach, Teresa.

Also, something to look forward to: you’re only one week away from completing your Google Certificate!

How does Merit America Compare? →

	Merit America	Tech Bootcamp	Community College
Course Length	22 weeks	20-24 weeks	50-100 weeks
In person/Remote	Remote	Remote	In-person/Remote
Part-time?	20 Hours	Varies	Varies
Maximum Payment/Tuition	$5700	$16,000 – $19,000	$5000 – $10,000
Certificate	Prepared to sit for the Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) Certification Exam from HRCI	Yes	Yes
Organization Type	Non-profit	For-profit	For-profit or Non-profit
Coaching and Job Search Support	Yes	Yes	Varies
Downside Protection	Yes	No	No

Get the Human Resources skills employers are looking for

HR + PM Foundations

Building Your Professional Foundation

Start with the fundamentals of human resources—no prior experience needed. Learn core HR areas like hiring, employee support, workplace policies, and compensation while developing a project management mindset that helps you organize and complete initiatives effectively. You’ll understand how HR professionals think strategically about workplace programs and employee needs.

Essential Skills for Strategic HR

Developing Your Professional Capabilities

Build practical skills that help you create positive workplace experiences. Learn to plan and implement employee programs, coordinate workplace improvements, manage projects that support employee needs, and use data to show the impact of your work. You’ll practice both traditional and Agile project management approaches to successfully lead workplace initiatives.

Professional Excellence in Practice

Putting Your Skills to Work

Apply what you’ve learned through real workplace scenarios and hands-on projects. Create plans for HR programs, develop communication strategies for different audiences, assess potential challenges in workplace changes, and design ways to measure success. You’ll graduate with a portfolio showing employers exactly what you can accomplish in HR roles.

A women scratches her head while researching how to break into tech.

Two career changers view Merit America's curriculum

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the training in-person, online or both?

The training is 100% online, but it’s interactive. You will complete your aPHR training 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.

You will leverage learning tools such as widely used digital workplace platforms, including Zoom, Slack, Google Workspace, 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.
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 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 programs are flexible to fit into your busy schedule. For the Human Resources program, you’ll spend about 15 hours completing HR coursework and 5 hours working on professional skill development with the help of your career coach, your job success specialist, and a squad of your peers.

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

What kind of support will I receive during the course?

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

Your program career 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.

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

Your technical advisor is available to direct you to appropriate resources if you’re struggling with your Google IT Support certificate coursework.

Your alumni career coach provides continued support after you complete the program—including help identifying opportunities that match your goals, refining applications, and preparing for interviews.

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

What does the Human Resources+ program cover?

Merit America’s Human Resources+ Career Track provides a comprehensive blend of HR training and project management expertise, plus professional skills development. You’ll gain hands-on experience through both the Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification training program and the Google Project Management Certificate, acquiring essential skills while receiving personalized guidance from Merit America coaches.

The aPHR certification training prepares you for key HR functions, such as hiring processes, employee support, workplace policies, and pay and benefits. The Google Project Management Certificate equips you to manage both traditional and agile projects, with a focus on planning, teamwork, and getting results. You’ll also gain expertise in HR and project tools like Workday, Asana, and Google Workspace, streamlining processes and improving workplace efficiency.

You’ll work on real-world scenarios, such as planning employee programs, coordinating hiring projects, managing workplace improvements, and creating project timelines. You’ll master tools like project plans, communication strategies, and team coordination methods, while building key professional skills like communication, problem-solving, and leadership.

With the support of a dedicated career coach, you’ll refine your job search skills—from resume writing to interview preparation—ensuring you’re ready for roles such as HR Coordinator, HR Generalist, Recruiting Coordinator, Project Coordinator, and more.