Institute for Natural Family Planning Training Program for Healthcare Professionals

Program Overview 

The Marquette University 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 Marquette Method Professionals Association (MMPA).

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.

Application for Marquette Method Teacher Training Program

The course includes a textbook available through Amazon: Living with Your Fertility: The Marquette Method of NFP. (Notice: Soft cover pictures are black and white.) 

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Foundations and Principles

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 open office hours with faculty and is offered twice a year.   

  • January through April – Apply by December 31st
  • September through December – Apply by July 31st

Practical Applications

After completing Foundations and Principles, students begin Practical Applications and their Preceptorship Experience.  Practical Applications is a five months experience, with scheduled live cohort meetings, an assigned preceptor, open office hours with senior faculty and it is offered twice a year.  

  • February through June with 6 month follow-ups completed by the end of November.
  • September through January with 6 month follow-ups completed by the end of June.

 

Medical Applications

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 - 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 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 of the Marquette Method of NFP is five months in length.
  • 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 five months of coursecompletion, a total of ten months after beginning the Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP.

Application Process

  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.

Student and Military Discount  

  • 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.

 

For more information please contact:

Director: Mary Schneider Ph.D., MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, MMCP
Office Assistant: Theresa Derse-Nosacek 

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 picture ID, and a letter of intent.  For nurses with a BSN a copy of your diploma is also required.  No applications will be considered for review until all documents are received. 

Questions about the application process and payments should be directed to Theresa Derse-Nosacek at Theresa.Derse-Nosacek@marquette.edu or mary.schneider@marquette.edu .