LexisNexis® Legal Research

LexisNexis® legal Research

If you're a legal professional looking to learn new skills or refresh your current knowledge, or just want a better understanding of legal research, our online LexisNexis® Legal Research Certificate can help. Through flexible online classes, you'll learn to use the searchable archive, Lexis Advance by LexisNexis®, the world’s largest collection of public records, unpublished opinions, forms, legal news, and business information.

  • Your online legal research classes cover foundational knowledge in legal research, computer-aided research, and the basics of using Lexis Advance.
  • The ability to effectively use Lexis® is an important research skill for lawyers, legal assistants, law students, journalists, and academics.
  • Students have access to the LexisNexis® legal research system via the Internet on the Student Portal.
  • Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.
Accredited
Online
Self Paced
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What You Will Learn

  1. How to use Lexis.com to search and retrieve primary and secondary legal sources and verify the accuracy of citations using Shepard's Citation Service and Auto-Cite.
  2. How to locate, profile, and investigate people and companies.
  3. How to interpret call numbers and document classification schemes used in libraries.
  4. How to conduct financial and business research.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

LexisNexis® Research Career Outcomes

Lexis Advance by LexisNexis® is a searchable archive with the world’s largest collection of public records, unpublished opinions, forms, legal news, and business information. Being able to effectively use the platform can be beneficial for lawyers, legal assistants, paralegals, law students, journalists, and academics. After completing the LexisNexis® Legal Research Certificate, students will have learned effective research skills that are transferrable to a variety of industries. However, the completion of a certificate program alone doesn't qualify graduates for jobs in legal research.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in law and legal research are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this program.  See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

LexisNexis® Legal Research Curriculum

  • 3 courses
  • 9.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  • 7 exams
  • 5 submitted projects


Estimated completion time:

  • Fast track = 4 months
  • Average time = 5 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

Our online Legal Research Certificate focuses on learning to use the searchable archive, Lexis Advance by LexisNexis®. You’ll complete courses that cover topics such as the basics of legal research, using the internet and other resources effectively and understanding how to use LexisNexis®. Your lessons include:


  • Information Literacy
  • Legal Research
  • Computer-Assisted Legal Research

Show Full Curriculum

LexisNexis® Certificate Success Stories

Penn Foster’s LexisNexis® Legal Research Certificate Program can help prepare you to refresh or advance your research skills using Lexis Advance. Learn more about Penn Foster graduates' experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.
View Student Success Stories
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Karla D.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“An easy way to manage studies on a busy schedule.”

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LexisNexis® Legal Research Tuition

Refresh or refine your research skills in our online LexisNexis® Legal Research Certificate Program. With low-cost tuition, you can start learning when you're ready.

Pay in full

Cost of Program1

$399

  • Pay the full cost upfront
  • No monthly payments
  • All major credit and debit cards accepted
Enroll Now

California residents please click here for Required California Disclosures.

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

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Our Proven Legal Research Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

  • Start anytime 
  • No exam due dates
  • Self-paced

Interactive

  • Digital study guides
  • Self-check quizzes
  • Simulations and videos

Connected

  • 24/7 access to online resources
  • Online student community 
  • Dedicated Learner Center

Supportive

  • Expert faculty
  •  Dedicated student services
  • Robust learning resources

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LexisNexis® Legal Research Program FAQs

What is LexisNexis® used for?

LexisNexis® is a searchable archive with the world’s largest collection of public records, unpublished opinions, forms, legal news, and business information. It is used by those in the legal profession, academics, journalists, and more to research subjects and cases.

Can anyone use LexisNexis®?

LexisNexis® is primarily used by law enforcement agencies, federal homeland security departments, banking and financial services companies and insurance carriers, lawyers, and state and local governments. Students may also have access through their college for academic research. While the company does offer some options for the average consumer, it's generally geared toward those who need to complete relevant research.

Why earn a LexisNexis® certificate?

Understanding how to use the internet and appropriate software for legal research can be vital to ensuring lawyers and paralegals have the relevant information they need to assist clients. Earning a certificate in LexisNexis® can help those already working in the field boost their credentials, conduct better research, and improve their information literacy skills.

How long does it take to earn this certificate?

Penn Foster's online LexisNexis® Legal Research Certificate is a completely online, self-paced program. Students in the program can choose to study around their schedule, whenever it works for them.