Court Reporter Degrees: Course Curriculum for a Court Reporter Degree Program

Published Oct 02, 2009

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Court reporter degree programs prepare students to capture and document each word spoken, action taken or gesture made within the courtroom using various technologies. These verbatim documents are provided back to lawyers, witnesses and judges as official court transcripts. An associate's degree is the predominate level of degree offered through court reporter degree programs.

Court Reporter Associate's Degree Course Curriculum

Court reporters typically hold an associate's degree from a National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)-accredited degree program. These programs cover court reporting principles, legal and medical terminology, criminal and appellate court procedure and technology-based court reporting applications. Curriculum guidelines also mandate that students capture a minimum of 225 words per minute in order to graduate in a court reporter degree program. Upon completion, graduates may find work as a courtroom reporters, freelance law firm transcriptionists or as a closed-caption transcriptionists for broadcasting companies.

  • Introduction to Court Reporting

Students learn basic courtroom procedure and responsibilities required of a court reporter.

  • Computer Transcription

Technology-based transcription software applications are introduced to students.

  • Business English

Proper English is emphasized in this course to ensure that court reporters have excellent written communication skills.

  • Machine Theory and Practice

Court reporting students learn about stenographs and other transcription applications for documenting all types of legal proceedings.

  • Legal Terminology

It's vital that court reporters be fluent in legal terminology, and this course educates students on necessary legal terms.

  • Machine Shorthand

Students learn shorthand strategies that speed up the rate of transcription.

  • Medical Terminology

Court reporters must also understand medical terminology and are expose to necessary medical terms in this course.

  • Transcription for Court Reporters

Students learn transcription procedures and strategies in this court reporter course.

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