Facts about the education requirement
The au pair requirement is 6 academic credits or the equivalent. Here in WA state, most au pairs will take non-credit classes totally at least 72 educational hours of in classroom instruction. (Year2 J-visa au pairs must take an additional 3 credits for a 6-month extension and 6 credits for a 9- or 12-month extension.)
Generally, a 3-credit college course is 45 hours, and a 4-CEU (continuing education units) course is 40 hours. Non-credit and audit courses are counted by the number of hours spent in the classroom.
6 credits = approx. 72-80 hours in the classroom = approx. 8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Au pairs can combine hours, credits, or CEUs as long as they add up to the required minimums. We can advise you on what is possible in your area, share what other au pairs have done (many sign up for continuing education courses with a local community college as these tend to have more space) and au pairs can also review options by reviewing the educational listings on this blog.
In person weekend courses for 36 or 60 or 72 hours are also allowed.
One online class is allowed by APIA per semester for a year long program with preapproval and a justifiable reason (the course is not available in person, for example).
UCLA Course – American Studies (100% online history class with in person volunteering in the community required)
American Studies Online is a 19-week media-rich, mostly self-paced online course of study. Designed specifically in cooperation with the American Institute For Foreign Study’s “Au Pair in America” program, UCLA Extension’s course offers successful participants 6 quarter units (4 semester units) and a certificate of completion from UCLA Extension.
Participants will read lessons, engage in activities, write, share resources, network with one another, and even collaborate on special projects – all designed to further their understanding of US culture.
The Community Involvement segment of the program takes the au pairs into face-to-face contact with the community. Au pairs will relate these experiences to their academic coursework in American Studies Online. https://www.globalawareness.com/get-involved/
The interdisciplinary course of study will include:
• US History
• Arts in the US
• US literature
• Career counseling
• English language study (optional)
Each group is assigned a “Course Manager” who acts as an “online concierge” to provide high levels of service to ensure a rewarding and trouble-free educational experience.
For course descriptions and current schedule, visit http://www.uclaextension.edu/aupairs
For further information call (310) 206-6671 or email online@uclaextension.edu
