Merit America
Average Rating3.61
30 Reviews
3 Courses
Merit America is a non-profit that offers 14, 16 and 30-week, part-time bootcamps in IT Support, Java Development, and Data Analytics across the United States. Students receive 1:1 career coaching throughout the program, benefit from peer support via weekly squad meetings, and work with a dedicated placement team to find a job. Graduates only pay once they land a job that pays above a regional threshold.
In the 30-week Java Development bootcamp, students learn Java, data structures, SQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Agile, and AWS deployment. In the 14-week IT Support bootcamp, students learn technical support, troubleshooting, operating systems, systems administration, IT security, and Office 365 administration and deployment. Upon graduation, IT Support students earn a Google IT Support Certificate. In the 16-week Data Analytics bootcamp, students will learn data types & structures, data visualization, R programming, problem solving with data, and data analysis. Students will complete a data capstone project, and graduate with the skills necessary to start an entry-level job in Data Analytics.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED; individuals currently pursuing or who already hold a bachelor's degree are not eligible. No prior coding experience is required, but applicants should have reliable Internet access, be fluent in English, and authorized to work in the United States. Applicants complete a basic learning assessment and submit a video interview. If applicants are accepted, they start with a 2-4 week trial phase to determine whether Merit America is the right fit for them. There is no official commitment until the end of this trial period.
Merit America does not require payment upfront. Graduates only pay once they are in a new job above the income threshold specified for their program and region. Once in a new job, IT and Data Analytics graduates make small monthly payments for 60 months to repay tuition ($95/month for IT/Data Analytics), while Java graduates make monthly payments for 24 months ($225/month). If graduates drop below the income threshold, payments will be paused. If graduates do not land a job above the salary threshold, the program is free.
30 Merit America Reviews
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AnonymousGraduate • Data Analytics • OnlineFeb 04, 2024Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance$50 Google Certificate
A course that answers the question, "Could we charge people $6,000 to get a $50 Google career certificate."
All the while being non-profit.
There isn't a single coach or career coach who has experience in DA who is instructing you.
Their career coaches post 2-3 jobs that they found on the internet (15 mins of job hunting) and aside from that have ZERO connections or ways of helping graduates find work.Merit America of Merit America
Organizations
May 08, 2024
Hello, we appreciate your feedback. We are a non-profit and our learner success is our success. Our program stands out from completing courses on platforms like Coursera by offering a unique blend of technical training and personalized professional development support. Unlike standalone courses, our program combines technical training from renowned programs like Google certifications with tailored professional coaching.What sets us apart is our cohort-based approach, where you'll progress through the program alongside peers pursuing the same certificate. Weekly meetings provide opportunities to address any technical challenges and receive guidance from experienced coaches. Additionally, upon program completion, you'll benefit from the expertise of a dedicated Job Success Specialist who will assist you in your job search efforts and prepare you for interviews.
We are open to learner feedback as we are always striving to improve the program experience. We invite you to reach out so that you can meet with a member of your team and share more.- AnonymousStudent • IT Support • OnlineDec 03, 2023Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
It’s a NO from me
Merrit America can be a great program for individuals who already have a decent amount of knowledge in whatever subject they’re choosing to participate in. But if you’re someone with zero experience or knowledge, It’s extremely challenging to keep up with the pace of learning that’s expected of you. The material you study is on Coursera, which is divided into weekly modules but at Merit America, you’re expected to complete like three of those weekly models in only one week. For me person...Merrit America can be a great program for individuals who already have a decent amount of knowledge in whatever subject they’re choosing to participate in. But if you’re someone with zero experience or knowledge, It’s extremely challenging to keep up with the pace of learning that’s expected of you. The material you study is on Coursera, which is divided into weekly modules but at Merit America, you’re expected to complete like three of those weekly models in only one week. For me personally that was too much too fast. They were not willing to let me learn at a slower pace so I dropped out of the program. Not to mention the fact that you’re paying nearly $6000 to participate in this program when you can get the IT certificate for $300 if you do it on your own. So essentially you’re paying $5700 for the “ guidance” of course instructor. And I use the word guidance very lightly because there was not much of it. So really, I don’t see the point in paying that much money for someone to help me who doesn’t even really have the time to help me. The whole time I participated in the course I was basically learning everything on my own, so it made absolutely no sense to pay $5000 for something that I could pay $300 for instead.Merit America of Merit America
Organization
Dec 04, 2023
Hello, we appreciate your feedback and want you to know that we care about our learners and value their perspective on our program. Our programs are designed to be challenging and rigorous. As you mentioned we do expect the average learner to devote 20-25 hours per week to their assignments and scheduled meetings. Our program is flexible, meaning it can be accessed from anywhere and on your own time.A key part of the Merit America program is that our learners have the support and guidance of our dedicated coaches throughout the journey. Our coaches are here to assist you with various aspects of your professional development, including resume building, interviewing skills, technical skills, and overall career advancement. They are also there to help you navigate the challenges and maximize your learning outcomes. Our program is not for everyone, and we hope that you find the best possible option for you and your career journey. - AnonymousStudent • Data Analytics • OnlineNov 27, 2023Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Just Like ITT TECH
This course is just a copy and paste of the failed (and incredibly sued) ITT Technical Institute. They do not actually teach you anything. They charge you for the information that Google provides then tell you to go through it while marking off your progress along the way. I could've saved $5000.00 and done it myself instead of relying on 'instructors' that don't instruct at all. Could not recommend studying with rocks more as it is about the same.Merit America of Merit America
Organizations
Dec 04, 2023
Hello, we appreciate your sharing your feedback. Our coursework is provided by third parties but Merit America personally selects the programs and supports the learners. The is important to ensure that the program is high quality and career-relevant, and it can help give potential employers confidence in you and your knowledge. The key to many of our learner's success is the wrap-around support and career coaching services. We do encourage prospective learners to carefully review our program details before applying to ensure that our approach aligns with their goals and expectations. We want all participants to make informed decisions about their educational journey. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, and we wish you success in all your future endeavors. - AnonymousGraduate • IT Support • OnlineJan 19, 2023Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Abject Failure
I made the decision to enroll in the program after a lot of discussion, research, and thought. The program failed on multiple levels. The vast majority of the content on their website seems to be driven by marketing and revenue, and is in no way truthful. They can't seem to back up the numbers they boast. I applied for well over 100 jobs without even one interview to show for it. I am still unemployed and even further away from a new career than before. I am no longer pursuing tech as a ...I made the decision to enroll in the program after a lot of discussion, research, and thought. The program failed on multiple levels. The vast majority of the content on their website seems to be driven by marketing and revenue, and is in no way truthful. They can't seem to back up the numbers they boast. I applied for well over 100 jobs without even one interview to show for it. I am still unemployed and even further away from a new career than before. I am no longer pursuing tech as a career because Merit America eroded my faith and trust. There is no way I will ever recommend this program to anyone. If I knew where to report them I would.Merit America of Merit America
Organization
Dec 02, 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re deeply sorry to hear that you feel this way about our program and that it didn’t meet your expectations. Your trust is incredibly important to us, and we take feedback like this very seriously.Our goal is to support our learners in transitioning to new careers, and it’s disheartening to hear that you didn’t see the results you hoped for. While we strive to provide accurate information and effective support, it’s clear that we fell short in your case, and for that, we sincerely apologize.We understand how challenging the job search can be, and while many of our learners find success, we also recognize that the process doesn’t always go as planned. We would love the opportunity to learn more about your experience and see how we can address your concerns. If you’re open to it, please reach out to us directly at social@meritamerica.org so we can better understand what happened and work toward a resolution.Again, we’re truly sorry for your disappointment and the impact this has had on your career journey. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us improve and better serve our learners moving forward. - AnonymousApplicantFeb 21, 2022Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob AssistanceN/A
In My Opinion, Merit America Doesn't Merit Your Time To Apply.
I have applied to this school through Amazon on several occasions; I was contacted and went through the interview phase and each time, I was turned down. However, not to be undone, I have applied twice more in the hopes of being selected. The last 2 applications must have gotten lost in a black hole as I was promised a response in 24 hours and never received one.
I don't know what to think when a response is promised and is not forthcoming. It would be most helpful to know...I have applied to this school through Amazon on several occasions; I was contacted and went through the interview phase and each time, I was turned down. However, not to be undone, I have applied twice more in the hopes of being selected. The last 2 applications must have gotten lost in a black hole as I was promised a response in 24 hours and never received one.
I don't know what to think when a response is promised and is not forthcoming. It would be most helpful to know what criteria you are looking for in potential students as some are getting responses and moved into the next phase, others are getting responses but rejected and some, like myself, are getting no response at all. Sad.Merit America of Merit America
Organization
Dec 04, 2023
We're truly sorry to hear about this experience. Our goal is to get back to each applicant with a response and hopefully good news about being accepted. It is likely that your additional applications were not accepted because we do not allow duplicate applications in our system. If you are still interested or have any questions please email admissions@meritamerica.org - AnonymousN/A • Graduate • WashingtonJun 22, 2021Overall ExperienceInstructorsCurriculumJob Assistance
Former Learner
Though I had an exceptional experience in the actual Boot camp course and received a Google IT Certification During job placement there were differences in opinion on how to pursue it. The job coach in my opinion was suggesting and expecting job seekers to be misleading on resume's in which I didn't agree with and refused and for that was dismissed and possibly blacked balled from present and future opputurnities.
Merit America Alumni Outcomes
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Merit America Alumni Reviews Summary
Based on 20+ Merit America alumni reviews on Course Report, alumni appreciate the program's practicality, support from coaches, and real-world skill application, especially in Java Development. One review directly states: "Merit America was a life-changing experience that helped me land my first tech job." However, some alumni expressed concerns about job placement and financial support post-completion.
Overall Experience
3.6
Instructors
3.9
Curriculum
3.8
Job Assistance
3.5
More Information
Guarantees Job
Job Assistance
Includes Housing
Offers Corporate Training
Accepts GI Bill
Recent Merit America News
By Jess Feldman
By Jess Feldman
By Jess Feldman
FAQs
How much does Merit America cost?
Merit America costs around $8,400. On the lower end, some Merit America courses like IT Support cost $5,700.
What courses does Merit America teach?
Merit America offers courses like Data Analytics, IT Support, Java Development.
Where does Merit America have campuses?
Merit America teaches students Online in a remote classroom.
Is Merit America worth it?
Merit America hasn't shared alumni outcomes yet, but one way to determine if a bootcamp is worth it is by reading alumni reviews. 30 Merit America alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Merit America on Course Report - you should start there!
Is Merit America legit?
We let alumni answer that question. 30 Merit America alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Merit America and rate their overall experience a 3.61 out of 5.
Does Merit America offer scholarships or accept the GI Bill?
Right now, it doesn't look like Merit America offers scholarships or accepts the GI Bill. We're always adding to the list of schools that do offer Exclusive Course Report Scholarships and a list of the bootcamps that accept the GI Bill.
Can I read Merit America reviews?
You can read 30 reviews of Merit America on Course Report! Merit America alumni, students, and applicants have reviewed Merit America and rate their overall experience a 3.61 out of 5.
Is Merit America accredited?
While bootcamps must be approved to operate, accreditation is relatively rare. Merit America doesn't yet share information about their accreditation status.