A Career in Court Reporting

Court reporting is all about capturing and recording verbatim, relevant proceedings occurring in Courts of Law including speeches, conversations, legal proceedings and meetings. This is done at speeds in excess of 200 WPM using technology like stenograph machines and voice writing equipment. This is required for correspondence, legal records, transcribing depositions and evidentiary proof. Closed captioning and real-time translation services to deaf and hard-of-hearing community are also offered by court reporting.

In most cases, formal qualifications are considered necessary for court reporters. There are several programs of 2-4 years for aspiring students in court reporting. They cover machine shorthand, English, vocabulary, law and legal terminology, computer aided transcription and keyboarding. Certifications can also be acquired with some states asking specific certifications. Active listening, speed of recording, accuracy, desire to learn and flexible scheduling are skills required for effective court reporting.

The job outlook as per Bureau of Labor Statistics is encouraging with growth projected at 25% faster than average for other professions through 2016. On successful completion of programs in court reporting, several opportunities open up like official court reporter, freelance court reporter, real-time court reporter, television broadcast captionist, rapid text entry business specialist and scopist. The median annual earnings of court reporters stood at $45,610 in May 2006. Salaries can vary based on education, experience, location and employer.

Courses in court reporting are offered by University of Phoenix and ITT Technical Institute. Both have an excellent track record in imparting quality education. American InterContinental University and Walden University are premier institutions that offer court reporting programs. The former focuses on courses designed on a real world approach whereas the latter helps students gain skills and knowledge required in this profession. Setting equally high standards as the others in this group is Kaplan University offering flexible learning to students and staff alike.