Practitioner Program

An eight-day total emersion educational experience prepares the FertilityCare Practitioner Intern to teach the CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare^TM System.

The curriculum consists of:

• history of natural means of birth regulation
• anatomy and physiology
• the hormones of the menstrual cycle
• breastfeeding
• menopause
• psychodynamics of contraception and the CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare^TM System
• human sexuality
• the beginnings of human life
• the effectiveness of natural and artificial methods of family planning.

The clinical group sessions train the Intern to teach the CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare^TM System according to a standardized curriculum and includes basic chart reading and correcting, how to conduct the standardized Introductory Session and Follow-Up sessions, documentation and the Supervised Practicum I responsibilities.

During EPI the student is registered as a Student Member of the AAFCP.

An assessment at the end of EPI assures the competency of the student to begin teaching clients during their internship.

• Begins with the successful completion of EPI
• Ends with Education Phase II

During this Practicum, the Intern returns to their home and begins teaching the CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare^TM System.

Every Practitioner Intern will be assigned a Faculty Supervisor who they will work closely with during their Practicum. The Supervisor provides the support and direction that a Practitioner Intern requires.

All books, charts, slides and teaching materials needed to teach will be provided.

Each intern will order approximately $475 of materials from Saint Paul VI-Publications Department to teach clients.

Each intern will teach a minimum of 6 client couples during this Practicum.

There are written and recorded assignments, and scheduled telephone calls with the Supervisor.

Following the successful completion of SPI, the intern is qualified to attend EPII.

This six day educational experience covers:

• advanced case management in infertility
• continuous mucus discharge
• unusual bleeding
• NaPro TECHNOLOGY
• Pregnancy Evaluations
• management of advanced behavioral issues
• communication
• marketing
• advanced business aspects of managing a FertilityCare^TM Center.

An oral exam at the end of EPII helps to prepare the intern for their second supervised practicum.

Supervised Practicum II begins with the successful completion of EPII and ends with the Final Exam.

During this time, the Intern will:

• teach an additional 12 clients
• submit assignments
• have monthly phone calls with their supervisor
• experience an On-Site Visit from their Supervisor

The On-Site Visit is a time when the faculty supervisor will go to the Intern’s home location and observe their teaching, review their files and conduct a comprehensive case review of all the Intern’s clients.

When all the requirements are complete the Intern will be given approval to take a national standardized Final Exam. This exam is proctored in the student’s home location and is offered four times a year.

Education Requirement Options

• Registered Nurses with current licenses
• Allied health professionals with a BA or BS degree in:
  • health
  • behavioral sciences
  • social sciences
  • education
• Associate degree/diploma in a related field, such as:
  • licensed practical nurse
  • human services practitioner
  • the equivalent of two years of college study
• Other non-health fields are individually recognized

Other Requirements

• Practice CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare^TM System or
• Monitor their natural fertility and be a philosophical acceptor of the System if single and celibate

Paid to The Creighton Model Education Foundation, Inc.

• $45 Application Fee-due when applying
• $550 Deposit and Book Fee-due upon acceptance
  • Non-refundable deposit: $100
  • Book and shipping fees: $450
    • Books will be sent after payment is received
    • Refundable (minus shipping fees) if books are returned completely unopened and undamaged upon cancellation before EPI.
• $3,400 Tuition-due prior to EPI
• Total Cost: $3,995
• Rooms at St. Felix are included for FCPI’s. These are single with shared shower facilities. Please bring a towel. Kitchen facilities include refrigerator, oven, toaster, microwave and coffee pot. FCPI’s can bring a crock pot and share food costs or eat at local restaurants. Many grocery stores are available within a few miles. You can visit sfcatholiccenter.com for more accommodation information.

Additional Costs

• Materials for 18 clients-approximately $475
  • ordered from Pope Paul VI-Publications Department
  • clients pay their Practitioner for these supplies
• Travel and hotel for student’s supervisor for one night during the On-Site Visit
  • The On-Site visit occurs during the 2nd Practicum
  • Driving mileage per IRS annual rate
• Interns must have access to a copy machine or scanner for assignments (a scanner app on the phone can suffice)
• Interns must have access to a computer and projector for the teaching requirement practicum.

Memberships and dues after completing the program

• Affiliation with the FCCA as an Associate Member of the AAFCP
• AAFCP Certification through the Academy
• Establish an FCCA certified FertilityCare Center

Advanced educational materials, books and study guides are sent to the student when they have been accepted into the program. It is recommended that this process begin as soon as possible to allow the student the time needed to prepare for EPI.

Send a check to:

• The Creighton Model Education Foundation, INC
• ATTN: Theresa Schortgen
• 146 N Rufus St.
• New Haven, IN 46774

Please include a $145 convenience fee if paying via PayPal (total of $4,140).

Practitioner Training is held at St. Felix Friary (1280 Hitzfield St. Huntington, IN 46750).

You must attend EPI before attending EPII.

Upcoming Trainings

• EPI-Saturday, May 4 to Saturday, May 11, 2024
  • Deadline for interview is April 1, 2024
  • Registration ends April 28, 2024
  • Check-in is Friday, May 3, 2024

• EPII-Monday January 6 to Saturday, January 11, 2025
  • Registration ends January 5, 2025
  • Check-in is Sunday, January 5, 2025

Faculty

• Fr. Royce Gregerson
• Dr. Jillian Stalling
• Theresa Schortgen, MSN, RN, CFCE, CFCP, Program Director

Costs to audit the Education Program include $110 per day, a $550.00 book fee, and personal meal/travel expenses.

The facility has a full kitchen for cooking and storing perishable and nonperishable items. Private rooms are assigned to each attendee, bedding included. Shared bathroom facilities. Please bring a towel and personal toiletries.