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This
Associate Degree Program prepares individuals as verbatim Court
Reporters and provides students with the knowledge and skills required
to work in Freelance offices and Official Court proceedings. Students
achieve multi-voice dictation at 225 words per minute or better,
transcribe medical, technical, and legal testimony, use Computer Aided
Transcription (CAT) systems, write Realtime, and become familiar with
courtroom and freelance procedures. Graduates may pursue career
opportunities in the courts as official reporters, at freelance court
reporting firms, or work as independent, self-employed court reporters.
Occupational Objectives
The
program stresses practical and specific court reporting skills designed
to meet the employment and personnel training needs of attorneys,
courts, and court reporting firms. Students develop competencies in
basic court reporting technology and learn to prepare transcripts using
computer-aided transcription. In addition, students gain a general
understanding of the code of ethics and professional responsibilities of
court reporters.
Occupational Skills
Upon successful completion of the Court
Reporting program, the graduate will be able to:
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Demonstrate basic knowledge of
courtroom procedures;
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Pass three (3) five-minute tests with
95 percent accuracy at each of the following speeds: 225 wpm
testimony (Q & A), 200 wpm jury charge, and 180 wpm literary;
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Transcribe medical, technical, and
legal testimony;
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Use Computer Aided Transcription(CAT)
systems;
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Write Realtime during dictation;
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Demonstrate familiarity with courtroom
procedures;
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Complete 100 verified hours of
externship of which a minimum of 60 hours shall be in actual writing
time; and
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Display professionalism and ethical practices during freelance
depositions, courtroom hearings, and trials.
Income Range
Salary Range: 2006
median annual earnings were $45,610 with the middle 50% earning $33,160
to $61,530*.
Employment Outlook
Employment of court
reporters is projected to grow 25 percent, much faster than the average
for all occupations between 2006 and 2016. Demand for court reporter
services will be spurred by the continuing need for accurate
transcription of proceedings in courts and in pretrial depositions, by
the growing need to create captions for live television, and by the need
to provide other real-time broadcast captioning and translating services
for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
*Occupational Outlook
Handbook 2008-2009 Edition
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