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 been approved by the Institute. Contact mary.schneider@marquette.edu if your profession is not listed.

Class information and application

Dates & Application Deadlines:

Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP Start Dates and Applications Deadlines: Students begin by taking the Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP. The course is online. The Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP starts three times a year and is four months in length.

• January 16th through April 16th – Apply by December 31st
•  May 16th through August 16th – Apply by March 31st
•  September 16th through December 16th – Apply by July 31st

Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP Dates: After completion of the Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP, students will begin the Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP and their Preceptorship Experience. The course is online with monthly, live cohort meetings.  The Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP starts twice a year and is five months in length, with some additional follow-up.

• September 1st through January 31st with 6-month follow-ups to be completed by June 30th
• February 1st through June 30th with 6-month follow-ups to be completed by November 30th

Medical Application Course Dates: The Medical Applications Course is offered asynchronously. It may be taken after completion of the Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP. The learner has six months to complete the course after they have been given access to the course materials.

Program Logistics and Cost:

Teacher Training Program:

• Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP = $750.00
• Teacher Training = $1000.00

Other Courses: 

• Medical Applications = $500.00
• Marquette Model Lite = $75.00

Note: Student discounts of 20 percent are available for active students in an accredited program with proof of being an active student. We appreciate our men and women (and immediate family members) who serve their country and are happy to provide discounts with proof of active/inactive service. We reserve the right to review and accept applications upon admission criteria INFP policy. Feel free to email us with questions.

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The course includes a textbook available through Amazon: Living with Your Fertility: The Marquette Method of NFP.

Payments can be made by contacting Theresa Derse-Nosacek at Theresa.Derse-Nosacek@marquette.edu.

Refund requests must be made to Theresa.Derse-Nosacek@marquette.edu 21 days after payment has been received, no refunds can be issued after 21 days.

Certification of Marquette Method Teachers

Upon completion of the Teacher Training Program, students are eligible to apply for the MMPA certification exam. Following MMPA certification, an instructor can utilize the MMCP credentials, demonstrating they are a Marquette Method Certified Professional. Please see – Marquette Method Professional Association (MMPA) for more details. Students are encouraged to join the MMPA once they have started their Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP.

For more information please contact:

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

Introduction

The Teacher Training program is comprised of two courses, the Foundations and Principles of the Marquette Method of NFP and the Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP. A third course, Medical Applications, is available for advanced practice nurses and/or medical professionals/prescribers who want to learn how to integrate NFP, specifically, the Marquette Method, into their medical practice. Medical Applications is also recommended, but not required, for audit by nurses and other non-prescribing providers in the Teacher Training Program

Teacher Training Program

This NFP theory and application course is an online program with start dates throughout the year that is 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 four 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, while 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. Students will continue with their preceptors until they’ve achieved four six-month follow-ups from their 10 couples, at which point they will receive their certificate of completion. The four six-month follow-ups are expected to be completed within five months of course completion, a total of ten months after beginning the Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP.

Medical Applications Course 

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. It may be taken after completion of the Practical Applications of the Marquette Method of NFP.

For more information regarding our classes and payments, click here.

Application Process

1. Prospective students will read about the Teacher Training Program.
2. Complete the application form: Application
Marquette Model Lite - Application
3. Pay an application fee of $50: Pay Here
4. After both the application form and the application fee have been received, the application will be processed. The prospective student will receive an email asking for the following documents:

All students

• Copy of photo ID
• Letter of Intent (email accepted – The letter should include how you plan to integrate the Marquette Method of NFP into your practice as a healthcare provider or if you are working with an organization such as a parish or archdiocesan community. Email or a word/pdf attachment are acceptable formats).

Advanced Practice Providers

• National Provider ID (NPI)
• License number for those that cannot provide an NPI.
• Copy of diploma or equivalent document for those that cannot provide an NPI.

For nurses with a BSN please provide

• License number
• Copy of your diploma (for RNs only)

5. After supporting material has been received, a decision will be reached, and the prospective student will be notified of an admission decision.

Once the supporting materials have been received and the application is processed all other payments can be made here.

Marquette Model Lite: 

Marquette Model Lite – This two-hour course provides the student with information to teach the Marquette Model Lite to women in regular length cycles. The focus is on instructing regular cycling women. This course does not include teaching women who are postpartum breastfeeding, in irregular length cycles, or who have serious reasons to avoid pregnancy such as women in treatment for cancer or other serious chronic diseases. This is not a precepted experience. The Marquette Model Lite has been designed to fit into a busy clinical practice because it does not include church teachings. Therefore, this course does not meet diocesan standards. If you are interested in a diocesan-approved course, we recommend you take the Marquette Method Teacher Training Program.

Marquette Model Lite - Application

Audience:  

APRNs, CNMs, BSN-prepared registered nurses, Physicians, PAs, 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.  

Upon completion of the Marquette Model Lite course, you will receive a certificate of completion. This certificate is necessary to apply for the full Teacher Training Program.  Students who have completed this course and applied to the Teacher Training Program do not need to pay the pre-application fee of $50.  

Payments can be made by contacting Theresa Derse-Nosacek at Theresa.Derse-Nosacek@marquette.edu.