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 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.

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.  

Under revision. 

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.

1. Start the application process.
2. Pay a pre-application fee of $80.00 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 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.
• 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.

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