Au Pairs are required to register and attend classes offered by an accredited U.S. post secondary institution for not less than 6 semester hours of academic credit - this averages 3 hours per week for 30 weeks. You receive an allowance of up to $500 to cover your course fees.

o     An accredited institution is one that has been granted accreditation by a regional or national accrediting commission of schools and colleges.

o     Post-secondary means an institution that offers at least a one-year program of college-level studies.

o     Most Au Pairs will attend either a two-year community, technical, or junior college or a four year college or university.

o     One academic credit is usually awarded for between 13 and 15 hours of study in the classroom. A Baccalaureate (undergraduate or college) degree generally requires 120 academic credits. Taking classes for academic credit can be very expensive. Your Counselor will be able to advise you on what is possible in your area.

o     Equivalent means the number of hours spent in the classroom when not earning academic credit. Au Pairs need 80 hours (equivalent to 6 academic credits) to fulfill the Au Pair in America educational requirement.

Au Pairs can fulfill the Au Pair in America educational component in different ways. The choice you make will depend largely on your budget and schedule.

Credit courses
Take part fully in class discussions, complete all assignments, take the tests and get a grade when the course ends.

Non-credit courses
Similar to a credit course except that you participate on a limited basis and get no formal grade at the end. Offered at some colleges and universities. Non-credit courses are designed for a purpose other than toward a degree, usually for personal enrichment or career specific skills.

Audit courses
Sit in on a particular course without doing the assignments and tests. Obviously, you don’t get a grade either. If auditing is available to the Au Pair, the cost may be less than for a credit course. Each college or university decides if it allows auditing.

Continuing Education Units
Enrichment courses at a College or Adult Education school, where you participate fully in class work and get a Certificate of Participation at the end.

 There are day, evening and Saturday classes available and schools vary in what they offer, but most offer a wide range of choices. As long as the course is taken through an accredited post-secondary institution, there are no specific types of courses you can or cannot take.

You decide which course you want to study!  Your host family and community counselor will help you to register at your local college and choose the right course.  Apart from looking good on your CV, college is the perfect place to meet new American friends of your own age and experience a different side of American life. Make sure you do not miss any of those college football games or social events!

Here are some examples of the exciting courses you get to choose from!!

Languages                         American Slang                                                                                    

                Aromatherapy                               Activities and Crafts for Children

Graphic design                   Dance & Music

                                                            Story telling and Spontaneous Drama
Communication Skills
                                     Win/Win: Conflict Resolution               Holiday Crafts
Creativity and You                       
                                                                  Creative Journaling
     Improvisation: Useful in Everyday Life
                                                                         Unique Family Games
Yoga & Everyday Exercise
                                                   Traveling the USA
Native American Story Telling                                        Encouraging Creativity
                                        Songs and Dances for Children
     Games for Children
                                                                         Guitar for beginners
Historic Lake George (boat tour)
                                                           Trust Building: The Climbing Wall
       Cooperation Skills
                                        Increasing Self Esteem through Self Awareness      
American Social Life                                                       

                                     Early Childhood course                  

      Business Admin                 Basket Weaving                                                 

  Feng Shui desig   Every Day Safety: Cars, Pools and Lakes   Hypnotherapy   
                          Project Management 

                                Powerful Marketing Principles      

     Astrology for Beginners                                          Handwriting Analysis   

              Oil painting                   Children's Theater

          Holidays in America                                          Food & Wine Pairing