Online Court Reporting Degree Programs

As a court reporter, you will get the inside-scoop on what is happening in our legal system. In fact, court reporters should not miss a single detail of trials they are involved in. As a court reporter, it will be your job to create word-for-word transcripts of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events for use in correspondence, records, or legal proof. Court reporting ensures that a complete, accurate, and secure legal record is kept for future reference. There are several methods of court reporting, including stenographic, real-time, electronic, and voice writing.

Most court reporting takes place in comfortable settings, like offices, courtrooms, conventions, and legislatures. More than half of court reporters work for state and local governments, while the remaining are employed by court reporting agencies or are self-employed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 8 percent of court reporters were self-employed in 2006.

Court Reporting Career Training

Court reporters and receive their training through one of the 130 postsecondary vocational and technical schools and colleges that offer programs, or through the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). The amount of training you will be required to receive depends on which type of reporting you choose. You can train to be a beginner voice writer within a year, but advancing to be a proficient real-time voice writer will take at least two years. According to the BLS, the average time it takes to become a real-time stenotypist is thirty-three months. Successful court reporters at all levels share these common traits:

Speed and accuracy
Excellent listening skills
A strong grasp of English grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation
Awareness of business practices
Expert knowledge of legal terminology and procedures
Computer skills
Court reporters can move on to administrative, management, consulting, or teaching positions after adequate experience.

Your court reporting program might include the following courses:

Reporting Procedures
Medical Terminology
Touch Shorthand Theory
Punctuation of the Spoken Word
Court Reporting Computer Applications

Court reporting certificates and degrees can be earned online, allowing you to maintain your current work schedule while you study. Some states require court reporters to pass an exam and become state licensed. Your online or on-campus instructor can help you to determine if your state requires licensure.

Court Reporting Opportunities

In the years ahead, job openings in court reporting will outstrip supply, resulting in excellent employment prospects for qualified people. The BLS forecasts growth in the field at 25 percent between 2006 and 2016, much higher than average. In 2007, court reporters earned a median salary of $45,330, with the highest 10 percent earning a median of $80,030. State-employed court reporters earned the highest mean salaries.

Salaries depend on factors like type of reporting job, experience, level of certification achieved, and the region of the country. Many court reporters supplement their incomes by doing freelance work.