Au pairs should complete 6 credits, 7.2 CEUs, or 72 hours.
Educare Companions should complete 12 credits, 14.4 CEUs or 144 hours.
Online classes: You should first look for in-person or hybrid (a combination of in-person and online) courses for your education requirement. If you cannot find any on-person or hybrid classes that work for you, you may take one online class at a time. The class must be through an accredited U.S.-based college or university. If you are unsure about whether a class will be accepted, check with your community counselor BEFORE registering.
The APIA Advantage UCLA Course was the first State Department-approved online class. It gives all 6 credits for $500 and can be completed over a course of 3-4 months, working on your own schedule. It’s a great option for those who have interest in American culture, need flexibility, have transportation issues or just want to do one course for their total requirement.
An Explanation of the Au Pair Education Requirement
Credit and non-credit classes are both acceptable as long as they are through an accredited U.S.-based college or university. If you want to take a class at a school not listed here on this page, please check with your counselor first to make sure it is accredited. Otherwise, it would not count toward your education requirement.
Credit Classes at all the local colleges require a placement test before you can enroll. The score of this test lets you know which courses you may take based on your level of English.
Non-Credit Classes are called that because they do not count toward a degree in the U.S. However, any classes through an accredited U.S. college or university count for your education requirement. This includes non-credit classes. Non-credit classes are usually more affordable than credit classes.
ESL = English as a Second Language Classes
Local Community Colleges
- Anne Arundel Community College (AACC)
- Howard Community College ESL
- Montgomery College (MC)
- MC Course Search – Credit Classes
- Registration Process for MC Credit Classes (to pay the resident tuition rate)
- MC Course Search – Workforce Development & Continuing Education Classes
- MC Workforce Development Catalog Summer 2026
- ♥ MC Non-Credit ESL (Registration open now, classes begin June)
- MC Course Search – Credit Classes
- Prince George’s Community College (PGCC)
- PGCC International Student Advising
- PGCC Course Search – Credit Classes
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- Registration Process for PGCC Credit Courses (to pay the resident tuition rate)
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- PGCC Workforce Development & Continuing Education
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- PGCC Childhood Education Courses Summer 2026 (Registration open now, classes begin in May)
- PGCC Transition Low-Cost ESL (Transition ESL classes are typically 60 hours)
- ♥ PGCC Transition Low-Cost ESL Summer 2026 (Sign up now for Required Registration Zoom Meetings on May 5 or 7, classes start May 12)
- PGCC Workforce Development Catalog Summer 2026
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♥ This symbol shows the most popular ESL (English as a second language) classes with au pairs in our cluster.
Language Schools
ESL = English as a Second Language Classes
- Georgetown University Continuing Education ESL
- Inlingua English Center
- International Center for Language Studies DC
- ♥ International Language Institute DC
- ♥ LADO College
Weekend Classes & Alternatives to Local Community College
These schools offer in-person travel classes in major cities all over the U.S. (even to Hawaii, Alaska & Puerto Rico). They also offer online classes.
Local Weekend Class Option – All four of the schools above offer classes in Washington, DC. That would be perfect if you are looking for a weekend class experience, but don’t want the additional expense of travel and hotel.