Paralegal

Program Outline

Instruction Sets
Your program consists of nine Instruction Sets written to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.

Here's how it works
Your first Instruction Set will be accessible immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with. Not all courses require textbooks; some use electronic instructional material.

Computer specifications
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer to complete this program.  Penn Foster recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later. You will also need access to the Internet and Microsoft® Office 2007 to complete portions of this program. 

Note: Graduates of this program also earn 14 college credits toward an A.S. degree in Paralegal Studies and 14 college credits toward a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice at Penn Foster College.

Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:

Instruction Set 1

Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.

The Paralegal Professional
An introduction to the paralegal career field; education, qualifications, and certifications; personal characteristics; places of employment; typical paralegal duties.

Instruction Set 2

Legal Terminology, Part 1
The basics of legal terminology; specific terms for litigation and torts.

Legal Terminology, Part 2
Specific terms for criminal law, contract law, real property, family law, and other areas of law.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills
How to analyze the logic of arguments; cheap tactic strategies, including emotional manipulation and agenda promotion; how to determine valid reasoning.

Instruction Set 3

Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Professional ethics; the unauthorized practice of law; working as an independent contractor; confidentiality issues, including attorney-client privilege; conflicts of interest; advertising and solicitation.

Graded Project: Thinking Critically About Ethics
Practical exercise designed to heighten your awareness of important ethical issues.

Instruction Set 4

How the Law Works
Function and sources of law; the legal community in America; ethical considerations for the paralegal; jurisdiction; “briefing” a case; due process.

U.S. Court System, Part 1
The foundations of modern law and the justice system; the English common law system; case law and precedence; the codification of law; different areas of law; the structure of the court system; federal vs. state courts.

U.S. Court System, Part 2
Civil vs. criminal litigation; litigation in federal vs. state courts; state laws, procedures, and rules of court, including local rules of court; federal laws, procedures, and rules of court; the paralegal’s role in litigation.

Instruction Set 5

Business Law
Types of business organizations; sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations; advantages and disadvantages of business types; law of agency; the paralegal’s role.

Graded Project: Business Law
Practical exercise designed to apply what you’ve learned about business law.

Torts
Definition of torts; tort law; categories of torts; negligence defined; typical defenses; intentional torts; liability; state-specific tort laws.

Instruction Set 6

Civil Litigation
Introduction to civil litigation; courts and jurisdiction; investigation, evidence, and case evaluation; discovery; settlements; trials; appeals.

Discovery
Definition, purpose, and overview; compelling discovery; interrogatories; depositions; requests for physical and mental examinations; expert witnesses.

Alternative Dispute Resolution
History of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); ADR vs.litigation; types of ADR: negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and hybrids.

Criminal Litigation
Introduction to criminal litigation; courts and jurisdiction; investigation, evidence, and case evaluation; pleadings, draftings, and motions; trials; appeals.

Instruction Set 7

First Steps in Using a Personal Computer
Setting up a computer system; navigating in the Windows® environment; accessing the Help feature; using programs in Windows® Accessories; using System Tools for Windows.®

Using Windows® XP
Customizing your computer display and input devices; changing the size, shape, and position of a window; creating notes, documents, and drawings using Windows® Accessories; saving and closing a data file; adding a screen saver to protect your monitor; locating a file; retrieving a file that has been recently deleted; using the Clipboard to copy information from one window to another; using the taskbar to control two windows; viewing and organizing files and folders on your local disk.

Internet Basics
How to use a browser; downloading; using email and search engines; setting preferences; plug-ins.

Study Unit: Microsoft® Word
Using Word; creating and saving documents.

Graded Project: Microsoft® Word
Practical exercise designed to apply what you’ve learned about Word.

Study Unit: Microsoft® Excel®
Creating spreadsheets with Excel.®

Graded Project: Microsoft® Excel®
Practical exercise designed to apply what you’ve learned about Excel.®

Study Unit: Microsoft® PowerPoint®
Using PowerPoint® to create, modify, enhance, and customize presentations; producing visual aids; working with charts and embedded and linked objects in presentations; creating hyperlinks in presentations; using advanced PowerPoint® features.

Graded Project: Computer Applications
Creating a memo with Microsoft® Word; creating a chart with Microsoft® Excel;® creating a presentation with Microsoft® PowerPoint.®

Instruction Set 8

Introduction to Writing
The basics of business writing; how business writing differs from personal writing; why good writing is important; how to approach each type of writing based on the audience and the purpose of the task; a review of the parts of speech.

Using the Parts of Speech
A description of the parts of a sentence; how to use the parts of speech to write effectively; subject-verb agreement; use of the active voice; effective use of modifiers; producing correct, polished writing for business; common grammatical problems.

Punctuation and Capitalization
Descriptions of punctuation marks and the purpose of each; using punctuation to properly document research sources; rules of capitalization.

Writing Sentences and Paragraphs
Writing complete, correctly structured sentences and unified, coherent paragraphs; sentence length and variety; avoiding run-ons and fragments; constructing organized paragraphs.

Improving Your Writing
Using particular patterns of organization, content, and language to most effectively convey a specific idea to a specific audience; revising, editing, and proofreading.

Types of Business Writing
Composing clear, courteous, and complete messages; formatting and etiquette for letters, email, memos, and forms.

Instruction Set 9

Legal Writing
Law-specific style and usage; the legal memorandum; forms and how to use them; hands-on form practice.

Graded Project: Legal Writing Project 1
Practical exercise designed to apply what you’ve learned about legal document production in the creation of a legal document.

Legal Research
Sources of law; the hierarchy of law; looking up cases and statutes; citing cases and statutes; reading and debriefing cases.

Graded Project: Legal Writing Project 2
Practical exercise designed to apply what you’ve learned about legal document roduction and legal research in the creation of a legal document.

Computer-Assisted Legal Research, Part 1
Hands-on legal research using Lexis.com.®

Computer-Assisted Legal Research, Part 2
Hands-on legal research using Lexis.com.®

Graded Project: CALR Project
Practical exercise designed to apply what you’ve learned about legal research, legal writing, and CALR.

Supplements (available online):
• Work Experience Option
• Job Hunting for Paralegals

Access to Lexis.com® provided to student in this Instruction Set.

 

Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster Career School have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster Career School.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

Requirements for employment as a Paralegal may vary from state-to-state. You should contact your State Bar Association for information on the educational requirements for Paralegals in your state.

A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this program.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Lexis.com is a servicemark registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.