Perhaps you’ve considered becoming a court reporter, but you don’t want to commit to attending a traditional school. Or maybe you plan to work as a court reporter while continuing your education in another field. In either of these cases, online court reporting schools might be exactly what you are looking for.
So what do the best online court reporting schools have to offer? For starters, they have amazing flexibility. Where else can you earn an associate degree without ever leaving your own home? Despite being mostly self-paced, students can still work with instructors and interact with fellow students through forums and email. And while it certainly takes time and dedication on the student’s part, these programs are often cheaper than most traditional colleges and universities.
What is an Online Court Reporting School?
If you’re considering a career in court reporting, you might have heard the term “online court reporting school” used to describe an entire college degree program. But just what exactly is an online court reporting school?
Court reporters are individuals trained to type verbatim transcripts of official proceedings, both in and out of the courtroom. They work for courts, law firms and other private organizations that require transcripts of meetings or speeches. Court reporters use stenotype machines or steno pads with shorthand symbols on them to record proceedings.
The role of a court reporter has been made redundant in many countries by digital audio recording, but remains important in the US. Many state legislatures and courts still require written transcripts for legal proceedings, as well as captioning for television programs and assisting deaf or hard-of-hearing people at public events such as town hall meetings.
Federal law requires TV programs to be subtitled for people with hearing impairment; this is done by specially trained court reporters called realtime captioners who listen to the program’s audio through headphones and transcribe it using stenotype machines connected to computers. The computer feeds the text into a video signal along with the program’s video feed, allowing deaf people who watch the show on closed captioned televisions read the transcription while they watch it.
Important Facts about an Online Court Reporting School
- You might be wondering what an online court reporting school can offer you. Here are answers to some of your most important questions:
- What programs are available?
The degree levels available include a certificate program in court reporting or legal transcription, an associate’s degree program and bachelor’s degree in court reporting. Online legal transcription certificates may also be offered by vocational schools.
Admission Requirements
- First, you need to be at least 18 years old. It’s also a good idea to have graduated from high school or have an equivalent GED.
- Second, you should be able to type quickly and accurately.
- Third, as this is a career that requires trust and security clearances, it’s important that you can pass a background check. Most court reporters have come through the court system in one way or another and have been called upon to testify in some capacity.
Program Description
With an online court reporting degree program, you can complete your coursework from the comfort of home and at the times that are most convenient for you. This makes it easier to care for family members or work a full-time job while attending school. Online programs will allow you to communicate with professors, peers and classmates outside of class via e-mail and video conferencing. You may even be able to log in to your classes from anywhere, as long as you have a computer connected to the Internet.
Online court reporting schools may make it easier for students who need a flexible schedule or who live far away from campus. Some online programs might allow students to learn at their own pace or enroll part time, which can help ease the pressure of earning a college degree while balancing other responsibilities.
Online Court Reporting Classes and Learning Format
As an online student, you have the flexibility to study at your own pace by logging in and out of classes as needed. While schools may require you to complete courses within a set time frame, they also typically give students the freedom to adjust their schedule as needed. This can be especially helpful for students with busy schedules or those who need more time to grasp certain concepts.
Many students are drawn to online programs due to their convenience and affordability. As an online student, you have the freedom to study anywhere at any time, even if it’s on your daily commute or while waiting in line at the post office. Enrolled students often have access to 24-hour technical support services, allowing them to get help when they need it most. Online schools are typically less expensive than traditional brick-and-mortar schools because many of the costs associated with running a campus—such as maintenance and facility rent—are not required for virtual classes.
Online court reporting programs are also interactive and engaging, incorporating videos and animations that explain material in a manner that is easier for some visual learners to understand than traditional text-based lectures.
Online Court Reporting Class Topics
- Theory of Court Reporting
- Stenographic Theory
- Introduction to Interpreting
- Medical Terminology
- Vocabulary Building
- Legal Terminology
- Community Development and Service Learning Seminar
In addition to these required classes, you can expect to take a number of electives in areas such as the following:
In addition to these required classes, you can expect to take a number of electives in areas such as the following:
Technology – Computer Systems, Telecommunications, Programming Concepts and Logic
Ethics – Ethics for the Professional Paralegal Business – Business Law, Business Communications, Principles of Real Estate Law – Criminal Justice Procedures & the Legal System Writing – Advanced Composition & Research Spelling Keyboarding English Government
Online Court Reporting Degrees and Programs of Study
Most online court reporting schools offer:
- Certificate Programs
- Associate Degrees and Diploma Programs
- Bachelor’s Degrees in Court Reporting and Online Court Reporting
A degree in online court reporting may be earned in as little as 2 years.
A certificate or associate degree in online court reporting allows students to enter the field immediately. A degree requires additional education and experience, but generally allows students to start working as a court reporter right away. Neither path is better than the other, so consider your qualifications and career goals before making any decisions about your future. Of course, you can always go back to college for another degree at a later time if you change your mind about which direction to take.
Students who pursue an online court reporting diploma often have some type of extensive background in writing or communications. Courses in legal research, business management and IT are common requirements for anyone pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in this area; areas such as law and computer science can be useful for those who want to advance beyond basic transcription skills.
Online Court Reporting Schools
The following schools offer online court reporting programs. Do well to contact them and get more information:
Everest University
Everest University offers an online court reporting degree. Its campus locations are in Tampa, Orlando and other Florida cities. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). This school offers financial aid for its online studies. Everest also provides flexible schedules for its online students.
Indiana State University
Indiana State University
Location: Terre Haute, IN
Distance Education Options: Online program
- Indiana State University offers an online court reporting program. The program has been running since October 2019.
- The program is open to students who have completed the first year of an associate’s degree in court reporting from another institution. Students who have already earned an associate’s degree in court reporting may also enroll in this bachelor’s degree completion program.
Conclusion
It is more common for court reporting schools to be on-campus rather than online. Online schools typically do not produce as effective court reporters as on-campus programs, because students need lots of hands-on training and experience using a stenograph machine. Additionally, students usually prefer to learn from a real person in real time. On top of that, online courses often lack the classroom equipment necessary for learning all aspects of court reporting. Not being able to interact and communicate with your classmates can also hinder your education.
