Court Reporting Degree Program: Build Skills through Online Education

The employment outlook for court reporters is positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between now and 2016, the field expects to add almost 5,000 workers, an increase of approximately 25 percent from the number of persons employed in 2006.

Court Reporters: Good Work Environment, Good Pay

More than half of court reporters work directly for state and local governments, while most of the remainder work for court reporting agencies. Approximately 8 percent are self-employed.
Salaried court reporters earned a median annual income of $45,330 as of May 2007. Those working directly for government entities tend to make slightly more than those who work through court reporting agencies.

Court Reporting & New Technologies

Court reporting still relies predominately on stenotypists to record and deliver word-by-word transcripts of court proceeding. However, real-time, voice and electronic recording are being adopted.

Education to Be a Court Reporter

A traditional four year college degree is not required to enter this field, but specialized training is necessary. You can prepare for this profession by registering with an online education provider. The National Court Reporters Association has certified many of these programs; they require students to capture 225 words per minute, the minimum number necessary for employment with the Federal government.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can expect your training to take between one and three years depending on the type of technology you are preparing to use. With a court reporting degree program, you can continue in your current position while readying yourself for your new career.
Some of the topics covered in your court reporting degree program include using the necessary equipment, building your legal vocabulary, and learning courtroom procedures.

Employment Requirements for Court Reporters

In addition to your court reporting degree program, you may need to satisfy other conditions imposed by your state; for example, you may need to pass a proficiency exam, earn a Certified Court Reporter designation or hold a notary public seal.
Source:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Lorraine Watkins is a freelance business writer and marketing consultant. She is a graduate of California State University, East Bay with an MA in English.