Advance your career with

Project Management

Gain essential project management skills and earn a Google Certificate in 16 weeks without quitting your day job. Pay $0 upfront.

  • 16 weeks
  • 18 hours/week
A Merit America alumn who went on to find an entry-level role in Project Management.
Shift Lead     Project Administrator
Why Project Management

Why Project Management?

Considering a career change into tech? Project Management offers an exciting, in-demand field where you’ll enter today’s fast-paced business world and ensure successful project outcomes. It’s perfect for those with strong planning and organizing skills who are eager for continuous learning and growth.

Competitive CompensationProject Management careers are in high demand across all industries, with median entry-level salaries starting at $70,000.
In-Demand CareersWith the Google Project Management Certificate and professional skills training from our coaches, you’ll open doors to over 375,439 job openings in the U.S.
Fulfilling Work Engage in roles that are not just tech-centric but also people-centric. Manage stakeholders and apply Agile and Scrum frameworks. Our alumni land roles such as:
Project Coordinator
Project Manager
Scrum Master
Operations Coordinator
Technical Project Manager
Program Manager
Project managers collaborating over a laptop
Salary Trajectory · U.S. Median
Entry
$70K
Mid
$95K
Senior
$121K
Source: Lightcast, 2025
The Career Track

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 Project Management 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.

The Path — Start to Hired
1

Get connected

We meet learners where they are and connect their prior experience to where they want to go — no degree required.

2

Learn with tech & “touch”

Complete Google Project Management coursework through Coursera while receiving Merit America coaching, peer support, and 1:1 guidance.

3

Get hired

We help learners identify tailored opportunities across a network of 500+ employers hiring for entry-level project management roles.

4

Keep growing

Lifetime Coursera access, ongoing alumni support, and continuing education — long after you complete the program.

Your 16-Week Roadmap to a Project Management 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

In your first month, you’ll establish the foundational principles of project management. You’ll meet your coach, map your career path, and begin the Google Project Management Certificate.

By the end of Week 4, you’ll understand how to define goals, initiate successful projects, and identify key stakeholders. You’ll have through the end of Week 5 to explore and receive a full refund if you decide not to continue.

18 Hours / WeekExpected Commitment

Technical Skills

PM FoundationsUnderstand the project management life cycle and organizational structures.
Project InitiationLearn to set up successful projects, define scope, and manage stakeholders.
Project ToolsGet an introduction to essential tools and methodologies to keep teams aligned.

Professional Skills

Transferable SkillsIdentify and articulate your past experience for tech and PM roles.
Resume RefinementDraft and refine your professional resume with an introduction to AI tools.
Workplace CommunicationMaster effective communication strategies for diverse project teams.

Deep Technical Training

This phase represents the core of your technical development. You’ll transition from initiation to active execution, mastering agile methodologies and traditional project frameworks.

You’ll get hands-on experience using industry-standard tools like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and Asana to track milestones and manage budgets.

18 Hours / WeekPeak Intensity
Outcome:Google Project Management Certificate

Technical Curriculum

Planning & ExecutionMaster project planning, track milestones, and run projects using Gantt and RACI charts.
Agile & ScrumDeep dive into Agile project management, execute Scrum frameworks, and build Kanban boards.
Real-World ApplicationApply your skills to real scenarios, managing schedules, budgets, and team dynamics.

Career Preparation

Strategic Job SearchBuild your LinkedIn presence, network with professionals, and interact with recruiters.
Interview PreparationMaster behavioral interviews, value statements, and practice salary negotiation.
Active ApplicationsAnalyze job descriptions, tailor cover letters, and begin submitting high-quality applications.

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.

Goal: Hired

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 It Works

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
And if it doesn’t work out — you don’t pay. If you don’t earn at least $40k within the two years after the Immersion end date of your chosen Merit America program, you don’t have to pay. Learn how it works.
A Merit America learner receiving one-on-one career coaching
  1. 1 Learn in-demand skills
  2. 2 Land a great job
  3. 3 Pay only after the program
  4. 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
A woman sits on the floor, working her remote job in tech

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 coaches

Hear what our alumni have to say

“I researched multiple tech programs, but none of them felt right. Then I came across Merit America and it was a perfect fit.”

Stephanie|Program Assistant
Stephanie, Program Assistant

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

Brittney|Financial Analyst
Brittney, Financial Analyst

“Merit America showed me I don’t need a 4-year degree. I have the skills and know how to prove it and present myself.”

Michael|Director of Communications
Michael, Director of Communications
Partners & employers in the Merit America network
Google
Amazon
JPMorgan Chase
Accenture
Infosys
Lyft
DoorDash
Intact Technology
CareerCircle
Instacart
OneTen
Opportunity@Work

How does Merit America compare?

If you’re considering a career change into Project Management, here’s an honest, side-by-side look at how we stack up against full-time programs and community college programs.

CompareMerit AmericaFull-Time ProgramsCommunity College
Course Length16 weeks20–24 weeks50–100 weeks
In-Person or RemoteRemoteRemoteIn-person / Remote
Part-Time?18 hoursVariesVaries
Program Cost$5,700$16,000–$19,000$5,000–$10,000
Certificate EarnedGoogle Project Management CertificateVariesVaries
Organization TypeNon-profitFor-profitPublic / Non-profit
Coaching & Job Search SupportYesYesVaries
Downside ProtectionMerit America GuaranteeVariesNo

The Merit America Guarantee

We’re so confident in our program that we promise that if you don’t earn at least $40k within the two years after the Immersion end date of your chosen Merit America program, you don’t have to pay.

Learn how it works
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the Project Management 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 Project Management program is designed to fit into your busy schedule with a commitment of approximately 18 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.

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 Project Management 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 Project Management program cover?

Merit America’s programs provide technical training in collaboration with Google, along with professional skills development. You’ll gain hands-on experience through Google’s Project Management Professional Certificate, learning key technical skills while receiving personalized guidance from Merit America coaches.

The Google Project Management Certificate equips you to manage both agile and traditional projects, with a focus on schedules, budgets, and organizational dynamics.

You’ll work with tools like Gantt charts, RACI charts, Kanban boards, and Asana, while mastering stakeholder communication and project methodologies such as Scrum.

With the guidance of a dedicated career coach, you’ll enhance your professional skills, including communication and leadership, and build a roadmap for your career success.

Upon completion, you’ll be ready for roles like Project Coordinator, Project Manager, Scrum Master, or Program Manager.

You can view the full program syllabus here.

A Merit America learner ready to start their project management career
Take the next step

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.

20,000+Learners since 2018
75%Alumni success rate
$21KAvg wage increase
Application takes ~10 minutes · Dynamic enrollment
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