Program Outline
Here's how it works: Your certificate program consists of courses designed to take you step-by-step toward understanding legal research. Your first course will be sent to you as soon as your enrollment has been accepted. Other courses will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have study materials to work with.
Computer Specifications
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer running Windows® XP or later, Microsoft® Office 2010, and high-speed Internet in order to complete your program with Penn Foster.
You must complete the following courses in the order indicated to earn your LexisNexis® Legal Research Certificate.
PLS 015 - Research Basics
- Lesson
1 Internet Basics
- Lesson 2 Information
Literacy
This course provides the student
with a summary background in effective
Internet usage, as well as a detailed
overview of traditional research
techniques for both traditional and
online libraries. Students will gain
practice in basic search engines,
review downloading and uploading
electronic files, learn to evaluate
the credibility of information found
online, and become effective in finding
and utilizing information from libraries
and multiple electronic sources.
PLS 090 - Computerized Legal Research
- Lesson
1 Legal Research
- Lesson 2 Computer-Assisted
Legal Research, Part 1
- Lesson 3 Computer-Assisted Legal
Research, Part 2
- Lesson 4 Computer-Assisted Legal
Research – Project
- Access to Lexis.com provided
to student to complete the research
project
In this course the student will learn the in-depth skills required for legal research aided by today’s computer technology. Key concepts covered include: describing sources, using basic citation procedures, locating cases and statutes using appropriate sources, reading and briefing a case, using lexis.com for legal research, searching and retrieving primary and secondary legal sources, locating and profiling people and businesses, and using the Internet to perform factual business and legal research. This course also includes a project where the student uses Lexis.com to demonstrate their ability to use a CALR system to retrieve critical legal information. (Temporary Lexis® access is included as part of your tuition.)
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 to 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.
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.
Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corporation and its subsidiaries registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
LexisNexis is a registered trademark of Reed Elsevier, Inc.
