- Institute for Natural Family Planning
- Marquette Model of NFP
- Teacher training
- NFP classes for couples
Institute for Natural Family Planning Training Program for Healthcare Professionals
Program Overview
The ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ College of Nursing Natural Family Planning teacher training program is a professional online educational experience based on the standards for diocesan NFP ministry of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). As such, the Marquette Method Teacher Training Program is approved by the USCCB. The program prepares the participant to provide professional NFP services and to qualify to become a Marquette Method Certified Profession (MMCP) through certification with the .
This educational program is designed for health professionals (i.e., professional nurse (at least B.S.N. prepared), advanced practice nurses, physicians, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals that have a current license in good standing with their licensing board and approved by the Institute. Contact mary.schneider@marquette.edu if your profession is not listed.
The course includes a textbook available through Amazon: . (Notice: Soft cover pictures are black and white.)
To apply for the program, use this link:
New applicant payment notification: When you complete the application form for the Teacher Training Program you will receive an invoice for the pre-application fee. Once this is paid and all required documents are submitted, your application will be considered and you will be notified of acceptance via an email. Applicants will be invoiced for the first course two months before the start of the course. Payment is due within 21 days after receiving the invoice.
Foundations and Principles
Students begin by taking the Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP. It is a pre-requisite for the Practical Applications course. The course is an online three month experience, with scheduled meetings, group projects, assignments and weekly open office hours with faculty. The course is offered twice a year.
- January (2nd Monday) through April – Apply by December 15th
- September (2nd Monday) through December – Apply by August 10th
- Early application is recommended as spaces are limited and waiting lists may develop.
Practical Applications
After completing Foundations and Principles, students begin Practical Applications and their Preceptorship Experience. Practical Applications is an 8-9 month experience. Didactic/online experience occurs during the first nine weeks. Students then begin practical experience by recruiting and teaching couples. Preceptor support is provided throughout the 8-9 months. Activities include: online scheduled live cohort meetings with faculty and assigned preceptor, self-directed recruitment of couples, and teaching of couples that may occur online or in-person.* Open office hours with faculty are available weekly. The course is offered three times a year.
- January (3rd Monday) with 4-6 month couples follow-ups completed by the end of September.
- May (2nd Monday) with 4-6 month couples follow-ups by the end of January.
- September (3rd Monday) with 4-6 month couples follow-ups by the end of May.
*Student teachers will need to recruit 10 couples each with a one month follow-up and 4 with a six month follow-up.
Medical Applications - Temporarily closed.
Under revision.
Teacher Training Program - Summary
Teacher Training Program
This NFP theory and application course is an online program with start dates throughout the year made up of three main components. All are required for the successful completion of the Teacher Training Program.
- Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP – This first course focuses on the theoretical, historical, and philosophical foundations of NFP to prepare the student to confidentially advance to the Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP. The Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP is about three months in length.
- Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP – This course is designed to give healthcare professionals the necessary tools and procedures to develop and provide a sustainable NFP practice. Student teachers will be taught to recognize and manage behavioral and psycho-spiritual family planning issues using NFP for women and couples throughout the reproductive continuum, (i.e., from adolescence, during postpartum breastfeeding through perimenopause). The Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP experience includes both online coursework as well as several live meetings with your cohort. The Practical Applications course work is about two months. Recruiting and teaching couples begins after the first month after starting this course.
- Preceptor Experience – The Preceptor Experience occurs concurrently with the Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP. Students will work under the guidance of a qualified, experienced Marquette Method Teacher during their preceptorship. Students will independently recruit and teach clients while building their own teaching materials, under the guidance of a preceptor. Students will be empowered to build their teaching ability, marketing skills, and critical thinking; as such, students are unable to work with a teaching group during their preceptorship to facilitate the development of these proficiencies. Students will teach 10 couples through the course of their preceptorship over the initial five months and will continue with their preceptors until they’ve achieved four six-month follow-ups from their group of 10 couples. Certificates of completion for the program will be issued after all assignments, teaching requirements and follow-ups are completed. The four six-month follow-ups are expected to be completed within 1-2 months before completion, a total of eight months after beginning the Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP.
Application Process
- Start the .
- Pay a pre-application fee of $80.00 per application instructions.
- When both the application form and the application fee have been received, the application will be processed. The prospective student will be emailed with further instructions.
Student and Military Discount (15%)
- Active students in an accredited program with proof of being an active student.
- Active and retired United States military. We appreciate our men and women (and immediate family members) who serve/d their country and are happy to provide discounts with proof of active/inactive service.
- The discount does not apply to the pre-application fee.
We reserve the right to review and accept applications upon the Institute's admission criteria. Feel free to email us with questions.
Program costs
Pre-Application Fee (PAF) - $80.00 (No application will be considered until this is received).
Foundations and Principles (Prerequisite for Practical Applications) - $750
Practical Applications- $1000
Medical Applications - $500 - temporarily on hold.
Student and Military Discount at 15%:
The discount does not apply to the pre-application fee= $80
Foundations and Principles (student, active/veteran military and immediate family members) =$637.50
Practical Applications (student, active/veteran military and immediate family members) = $850.00
*Returning students please contact jane.miles@marquette.edu or mary.schneider@marquette.edu
For more information please contact:
Director: Mary Schneider Ph.D., MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, MMCP
Preceptor Manager: Jane Miles PhD, RN
Office Associate: Margaret Nakayenga - Margaret.nakayenga@marquette.edu
Target Audience:
BSN-prepared registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, physician assistants, certified midwives, and other primary care providers involved in women's reproductive health.
Documents required are a copy of your professional license or NPI number, copy government issued picture ID, other documents like transcripts and resume/curriculum vitae's may be requested. For nurses with a BSN a copy of your diploma is required. No applications will be considered for review until all documents are received.
Questions about the application process and payments should be directed to mary.schneider@marquette.edu .