Boland Institute for Natural Family Planning Training Program for Healthcare Professionals
Program Overview
The Boland Institute of Natural Family Planning teacher training program at the Marquette University College of Nursing is a professional 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 Professional (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, PharmD, DPT, RD, and other healthcare professionals who have a current license in good standing with their licensing board and are approved by the Institute. Contact mary.schneider@marquette.edu or jane.miles@marquette.edu if your profession is not listed.
This program is conducted online, with approximately 85% asynchronous online work and 15% synchronous online meetings. The Teacher Training program is comprised of two courses - Foundations & Principles and Practical Applications (see table below for further descriptions of the courses). Students begin with the Foundations & Principles course, starting in either September or January and completing the course at the end of the semester. During the second course, Practical Applications, students are required to recruit and teach ten couples. Completion time for the full program is approximately thirteen months (not including summer or winter breaks). A textbook available through Amazon is required: Living with Your Fertility: The Marquette Method of NFP. (Notice: Soft cover pictures are black and white.)
To apply for the program, use this link: Teacher Training Program Application
New applicant payment notification: When you submit the application for the Teacher Training Program you will receive an invoice for the pre-application fee within one week. Once this is paid and all required documents are submitted, your application will be considered and you will be notified of your acceptance status via an email. Applicants will be invoiced for the first course two months before the start of the course. Payment for the course is due within 30 days after receiving the invoice.
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Foundations and Principles Course Description
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 didactic experience, with scheduled meetings, group projects, assignments and weekly open office hours with faculty. The course is offered twice per 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 Course Description
After completing Foundations and Principles, students begin Practical Applications and their preceptorship experience. Practical Applications is an 8-9 month experience. Didactic and online experiences occur during the first nine weeks. Approximately four weeks into the course, students also 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. Of those 10, four couples must be followed for six months
**This course requires your availability for 3-4 online, large group evening meetings (approximately 1/month initially). It also requires your availability for online small group meetings with your preceptor and 2-3 classmates. All meetings are approximately 2 hours in length. Small group meetings occur every 1-2 weeks initially, decreasing in the later months of the course. Prior to the beginning of the course, you will be offered 4-5 choices of meeting times and asked to identify your time preferences. Every effort is made to match you with one of your preferences, but scheduling flexibility may be necessary.
Medical Applications - Temporarily closed.
Teacher Training Program - Summary
Teacher Training Program
This NFP theory and application course is an online program (approximately 85% asynchronous online work and 15% synchronous online meetings) 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Certificates of Completion for the overall teacher training program will be issued after all assignments, teaching requirements and follow-ups are completed.
- Start the Application for Teacher Training Program
- Pay a pre-application fee of $80.00 per application instructions.
- When both the application form, required documents*, and the application fee have been received, the application will be processed. The prospective student will be emailed with further instructions.
*Documents required are a copy of your professional license or NPI number, and a copy of a government issued picture ID. Other documents such as transcripts and resume/curriculum vitae's may be requested. For nurses with a highest degree of BSN, a copy of your diploma is required. No applications will be considered for review until all documents are received.
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.
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 - course is 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, physical therapists, registered dietitians, pharmacists, and other primary care providers involved in women's reproductive health.
Questions about the application process and payments should be directed to mary.schneider@marquette.edu or jane.miles@marquette.edu.
