Institute for Natural Family Planning Training Program for Healthcare Professionals

Students begin by taking the Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP it is a pre-requisite for Practical Applications and Medical Application courses. The course is an online three month experience, with weekly, meetings, group projects, assignments and weekly open office hours with faculty and is offered twice a year.   

• January (2nd Monday) through April – Apply by December 31st
• September (2nd Monday) through December – Apply by August 31st

After completing Foundations and Principles, students begin Practical Applications and their Preceptorship Experience.  Practical Applications is a eight month experience. Didactic experience is nine weeks, preceptor support is for eight months.  Activities include: online scheduled live cohort meetings with faculty and assigned preceptor, open office hours with faculty are avialalble 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.

Note: Student teachers will need to recruit 10 couples each with a one month follow-up and 4 with a six month follow-up.  

The Medical Applications Course is offered asynchronously. Pre-requisites are: Foundations and Principles and the passing of the first two presentation assignments in Practical Applications. The student has six months to complete the course after they have been given access to the course materials.

This course will help advanced practice providers integrate NFP specifically, the Marquette Method, into their medical practice. Through the course, students will learn to apply their knowledge of the menstrual cycle, reproductive anatomy and physiology, natural indicators of fertility, reproductive transitions (i.e., postpartum and perimenopause), and evidence-based protocols for managing common reproductive-age women’s health conditions. The student will analyze, apply, and critique case studies and protocols for managing fertility-related health conditions. There is an emphasis on lifestyle changes, self-care management, and enhancement of normal fertility. The Medical Applications Course is offered asynchronously with Practical Applications.  The student will be given access to this course after the first two presentations in Practical Applications have been passed and couple recruitment begins. 

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 independently recruit and teach clients while building their own teaching materials, under the supervision of a preceptor. Students will work directly with a qualified, experienced Marquette Method Teacher during their preceptorship. 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 10 couples.  Certificates of completion for the program will be issued after all assignments, couples 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.

1. Start the application process.
2. Pay an application fee of $75.00 per application instructions. 
3. When both the application form and the application fee have been received, the application will be processed. The prospective student will be emailed an invoice with further instructions.

• 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.

We reserve the right to review and accept applications upon the Institute's admission criteria. Feel free to email us with questions.