How It Works
Interested in Merit America? Here you’ll find everything you need to know about our programs—and how we’ll help you prepare for a new career in as little as 16 weeks, no previous experience required.
A new career, built around the life you already have.
Our programs pair essential technical skills with the professional skills that allow you to transition into high-demand fields and continue growing in them—through practical AI fluency, industry-recognized credentials, a portfolio of real work, and a network that knows your name.
Prepare and land the job through key steps in our program
Three phases, each building on the last—from your very first week of learning to your first day in a new role. Flexible enough to keep your day job. Structured enough to get results.
Get oriented, meet your coach, start building
Starting a new career is a big step, and we’re here to make it as smooth as possible. This phase is your chance to experience Merit America—to see how the coaching feels, how the coursework fits your schedule, and to gain fundamental professional skills. If you find it isn’t right for you, you have up to 5 weeks to cancel with no penalty.
Get started for $0 upfrontDay Job
Coursework
Day Job
Workshop
Day Job
Self-study
Day Job
Workshop
1:1 Coaching
Self-study
Build the skills that get you hired
This is where the real transformation happens. Immersions combines rigorous technical coursework with professional development designed to prepare you for actual job interviews—not just a certificate.
You’ll join live, topic-based workshops at times that work for you, connect with peers on the same journey, and work with coaches who keep you on track. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio, a polished resume, and the confidence to compete.
All coursework is online and self-paced. Most learners spend 10–15 hours per week—evenings, weekends, whenever works for you.
Explore career tracksGoogle Career Certificate
Recognized by 150,000+ employers
Land the job on your own terms
After Immersions, you’re in control. There’s no single required path—you choose how and when you engage in your job search based on your goals, timeline, and life.
Alumni Career Accelerator
A focused sprint with weekly 1:1 coaching, accountability targets, and access to job search tools and opportunities.
Flex Career Support
On-demand coaching for mock interviews, resume refinement, salary negotiation, and job boards—whenever you need it.
Everything you need to go from learner to earner
Our program isn’t just about earning a certificate—it’s about empowering you with the skills and mindset to build the career you’ve always dreamed of. We help you identify and leverage your transferable skills and position you for success, even without prior industry-specific work experience.
A coach who knows your name and your goals
Online courses have a completion problem—most people start, few finish, and almost none land new jobs from them alone. That’s why we pair every learner with a dedicated career coach from day one. Not a chatbot. Not a ticket queue. A person invested in your specific outcome.
Learners also choose their coach as part of enrollment, with coaching options that include evenings and weekends—making it easier to get support without rearranging work schedules or family responsibilities.
Doors that don’t open from a job board
We don’t just help you apply to jobs—we help you expand your network with employers who are actively looking for talent like you. Our alumni are taught where to look, how to showcase their resume, and how to get hired through access to events, tools, and resources.
A certificate employers look for
Every Merit America program includes an industry-recognized credential—most often a Google Career Certificate—that hiring managers at leading companies actively seek out.
You’ll graduate with proof of your skills that’s verifiable, portable, and built to stand out on a resume or LinkedIn profile.
Career Certificate
You’re an alumnus for life
When you finish Merit America, you don’t lose access to what you’ve built. Free Coursera for life, continuing ed credits, and Alumni Career Coach stay open to you indefinitely.
Join 20,000+ alumni who lean on each other for referrals, advice, and momentum—long after their first new role.
Flexible payment options for every learner
Four ways to cover the cost—including starting at $0 upfront. Pay nothing if it doesn’t work, with the Merit America Guarantee backing every option.
| Payment option | Details |
|---|---|
| $0 Down with a Zero Percent Loan from Ascent | Ascent Funding offers a Zero Percent Loan that you can use to pay for Merit America. You can learn more about the $0 Down With a Zero Percent Loan from Ascent at Ascent Funding. |
| Sponsorship | Some employers or organizations may partially or fully cover the program costs for eligible learners. Any remaining amount can be covered with self-pay or a Zero Percent Loan. Reach out to your employer to see if they can sponsor your program costs. |
| Pay in Full Up Front | If you prefer to pay the entire program cost upfront, please send an email to success-sharing@meritamerica.org requesting to pay in full. |
| Opportunity For All | If you apply for an Ascent Zero Percent Loan and do not qualify, are not sponsored by your employer, and cannot pay in full upfront, you can apply for the Opportunity For All, which will cover 100% of the cost for Merit America. To learn more, reach out to our Admissions team for additional information. |
You have 5 weeks to explore the program. If you decide to leave or are removed before the end of Week 5, you will receive a full refund.
Under the Merit America Guarantee, if you don’t earn at least $40k within two years after you have completed the Immersion phase of your chosen Merit America program, you don’t have to pay.
Don’t change careers alone
From day one, you’ll have a dedicated team invested in your success. You’ll never navigate this journey on your own—and your wins will always feel like ours too.
Your coach helps you build a personalized growth plan, sharpen your story, and land the role you’re aiming for. You choose who you work with—with evening and weekend availability.
Support for the parts of life that affect your career
Real life happens during the program—and after. Our Resource Hub gives you access to help with the things that matter outside the coursework, so you can stay focused on what you’re building.
Resource Hub
Tap any category to learn more
Mental Health Support
Connect with mental health support, telehealth services, and free or low-cost counseling options.
Legal Aid
Find free or reduced-cost legal help for housing, immigration, family, or employment issues.
Financial Counseling
Get help with budgeting, debt management, and saving—from licensed advisors at no cost.
Community Resources
Access food, transportation, child care, and other essentials in your area through our local partners.
Perspectives Wellness Program
Access tools and resources designed to help you maintain mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing throughout the program.
Alumni Newsletter
A monthly digest of career opportunities, alumni stories, networking events, and continued learning.
Virtual Events & Networking
Career fairs, alumni mixers, employer Q&As, and skill-building workshops—all online and free for alumni.
Continuing Education Credits
Earn credit toward a bachelor’s or master’s at Northeastern, SNHU, Western Governors University, or Golden Gate University.
Free Coursera Access
Keep learning—free unlimited access to 5,800+ Coursera courses for life as a Merit America alumnus.
Your success is our mission. Let’s help you get there.
There’s no single right next step. Find the path that fits where you are right now—we’ll meet you there.