Certificate in Court Reporting
You’re about to learn how you can train at home for a rewarding career as a Court Reporter. Make you career dream a reality! Just think, in as little as two years, you can earn a certificate from Queens College Continuing Education Program. And you can earn it at home, in your spare time, without attending classes!
You can have challenging career, full of excitement…you can use your skill and training to succeed….and you get the special satisfaction that comes with knowing you’re an irreplaceable part of the legal system.
As a Court Reporter, you’ll be the one others trust to record important proceedings. You might be working for a law firm, transcribing depositions or meetings, or in court, recording official proceedings. And you’ll have the confidence that comes with doing important work and doing it well.
Now you can be a part of this rewarding profession – all you need is ambition, the desire to succeed, and the skills you’ll learn from the Court Reporting Certificate Program.
Program Outline
Instruction Modules
Your program consists of 12 Instruction Modules designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.
Here's how it works
Your first Instruction Module will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Modules will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with. Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your learning materials:
- Instruction Module 1
- Learning Strategies
- The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features or our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
- Introduction to Court and Realtime Reporting
- The court reporting field; qualifications needed; the history of court reporting.
- Learning Aid:
- The Art and Skill of Court Reporting
- Instruction Module 2
- Written Communication 1
- The different parts of speech; sentences and their structure; punctuation; capitalizing words.
- Written Communication 2
- Processing routine information requests and correspondence; successful letter and report writing; structuring paragraphs; preparing correspondence for your employer; editing and proofreading materials.
- Written Communication 3
- Context clues, prefixes, suffixes; using a dictionary and thesaurus; synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms.
- Instruction Module 3
- Theory Development and Personal Skills 1
- Setting up, inserting paper in, and taking down your shorthand machine; writing letters, short forms, and phrases; reading and transcribing from your shorthand notes; writing on your machine at a minimum of 20 words per minute (wpm); touch typing at a minimum of 10-12 wpm; the six secrets to successful reporting.
- Skill and Speed Test 1 (10-20 wpm) Cassette
- Theory Development and Personal Skills 2
- Writing the alphabet and numbers on the steno machine keyboard; writing on your machine to a minimum of 20-30 wpm; touch typing at a minimum of 18 wpm.
- Skill and Speed Test 2 (20-30 wpm) Cassette
- Textbooks:
- Realwrite/Realtime Computer Shorthand Theory
- Keyboarding and Word Processing
- Court Reporter’s Language Arts Workbook
- Language Arts Workbook Answer Key
- Cassettes:
- Realwrite/Realtime, Lessons 1-16 and Drills 1-8
- Learning Aids:
- Steno Key Identification Card
- Keyboarding and Word Processing Study Guide
- Keyboarding Pro Software
- Special Shipment:
- Equipment:
- Stenograph Stentura 200 Student Realtime Manual Writer, with paper tray, long-life ribbon cartridge, built-in conference stand, EasyLock tripod, power adapter/charger and carrying case.
- Instruction Module 4
- Theory Development and Personal Skills 3
- Forming your own words using realtime theory; writing numbers and short forms; writing on your machine to a minimum of 30-40 wpm; touch typing on the computer keyboard to a minimum of 24 wpm; study techniques for your use.
- Skill and Speed Test 3 (30-40 wpm) Cassette
- Theory Development and Personal Skills 4
- Writing specific prefixes and suffixes; writing new words; writing new contractions; writing clock time and dates; writing new short forms and phrases; reading and transcribing notes; writing on your machine to a minimum of 40-50 wpm; touch typing on the keyboard to a minimum of 28 words per minute; techniques to increase the speed and accuracy of your shorthand.
- Skill and Speed Test 4 (40-50 wpm) Cassette
- Cassettes:
- Realwrite/Realtime, Lessons 17-32 and Drills 9-16
- Instruction Module 5
- Theory Practice and Legal Terminology 1
- The z-rule; writing on your machine at a minimum of 50-60 wpm; using legal terms; using special keys and the number pad; touch typing on the computer keyboard to a minimum of 30 wpm; techniques to improve your memory capacity.
- Skill and Speed Test 5 (50-60 wpm) Cassette
- Theory Practice and Legal Terminology 2
- Writing courtroom question and answer material; applying rules for “conflict elimination;” writing on your machine at a minimum of 60-70 wpm; how court actions are begun; steps in a typical trial; touch typing to a minimum of 32-35 wpm.
- Skill and Speed Test 6 (60-70 wpm) Cassette
- Cassettes:
- Realwrite/Realtime, Lessons 33-48 and Drills 17-24
- < strong>Textbooks:
- Legal Terminology
- Legal Terminology Answer Key
- Learning Aid:
- Keyboarding Skill Development
- Instruction Module 6
- Theory Practice and Legal Terminology 3
- Writing basic words and phrases; writing on your machine at a minimum of 70-80 wpm; touch typing to a minimum of 35-40 wpm; improving your listening ability.
Skill and Speed Test 7 (70-80 wpm) Cassette
- Theory Practice and Legal Terminology 4
- Writing on your machine to a minimum of 80-90 wpm; writing new legal terms and learning their definitions; touch typing at a minimum of 40-45 wpm.
- Skill and Speed Test 8 (80-90 wpm) Cassette
- Cassettes:
- Computer Shorthand Skill Building, Lessons 1-20
- Textbook:
- Computer Shorthand Skill Building and Transcription
- Instruction Module 7
- Realtime Skill Development and Vocabulary Building 1
- Learning new short forms and phrases; writing on your machine at a minimum of 90-100 wpm; writing new medical terms and learning their definitions; touch typing to a minimum of 45-50 wpm; techniques to improve your vocabulary.
- Skill and Speed Test 9 (90-100 wpm) Cassette
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- Breakdown of basic word parts; the meanings of medical terms and their pronunciations; medical terms associated with the human body; anatomical positions and directional terms, body planes and body cavities.
- Realtime Skill Development and Vocabulary Building 2
- Writing on your machine at a minimum of 100-110 wpm; touch typing to a minimum of 50-55 wpm.
- Skill and Speed Test 10 (100-110 wpm) Cassette
- Learning Aid:
- Keyboarding Speed Development
- Cassettes:
- Computer Shorthand Skill Building, Lessons 21-40
- Word Play, Tapes 1-4
- Medical Terminology Pronunciation Tape 1
- Instruction Module 8
- Realtime Skill Development and Vocabulary Building 3
- Writing on your machine to a minimum of 110-120 wpm; speed development exercises for keyboard.
- Skill and Speed Test 11 (110-120 wpm) Cassette
- Realtime Skill Development and Vocabulary Building 4
- Skill development for realtime writing; speed development exercises.
- Skill and Speed Test 12 (120-130 wpm) Cassette
- Textbook:
- Computer Shorthand Speed Building and Transcription
- Cassettes:
- Computer Shorthand Skill Building, Lessons 41-50
- Computer Shorthand Speed Building, Lessons 1-10
- Proctored Examination 1
- Instruction Module 9
- Realtime Skill and Professional Development
- Writing on your machine at a minimum of 130-140 wpm; developing professionalism.
- Skill and Speed Test 13 (130-140 wpm) Cassette
- Speed Development and Advanced Realtime Skills 1
- Writing on your machine to a minimum of 140-150 wpm; introduction to computer concepts and dictionary building.
- Skill and Speed Test 14 (140-150 wpm) Cassette
- Cassettes:
- Computer Shorthand Speed Building, Lessons 11-30
- Learning Aids:
- Basic Computer Concepts
- Technical Terminology
- Instruction Module 10
- Speed Development and Advanced Realtime Skills 2
- Introduction to realtime software; technical terminology; dictionary building; listening exercises.
- Skill and Speed Test 15 (150-160 wpm) Cassette
- Speed Development and Advanced Realtime Skills 3
- Speed development for realtime writing; software application for immediate transcription.
- Skill and Speed Test 16 (160-170 wpm) Cassette
- Cassettes:
- Computer Shorthand Speed Building, Lessons 31-50
- Software:
- Case CATalyst™ Student Software Voucher
- Instruction Module 11
- Professionalism and Speed Development 1
- Continuation of speed development, software application, technical terminology, and building listening skills.
- Skill and Speed Test 17 (170-180 wpm) Cassette
- Professionalism and Speed Development 2
- Speed development; court and realtime procedures; current events assignments.
- Skill and Speed Test 18 (180-190 wpm) Cassette
- Cassettes:
- Literary, Jury Charge and Two-Voice Dictation (Speed Takes 1-20)
- Textbook:
- The Complete Court Reporter’s Handbook
- Learning Aids:
- Expert Dictation
- Professional Assignment and Practical Experience
- Instruction Module 12
- Professionalism and Speed Development 3
- Speed development; court and realtime procedures; current events assignments.
- Skill and Speed Test 19 (190-200 wpm) Cassette
- Professionalism and Speed Development 4
- Becoming a professional reporter; current event assignments.
- Skill and Speed Test 20 (200-210 wpm) Cassette
- Cassettes:
- Literary, Jury Charge and Two-Voice Dictation (Speed Takes 21-40)
- Instruction Module 13
- Speed Development and Practical Experience 1
- Development of an awareness of today’s culture by reading and writing about up-to-date topics and current events.
- Skill and Speed Test 21 (210-220 wpm) Cassette
- Speed Development and Practical Experience 2
- Producing a final transcript; how to find employment; working with a reporter to gain practical experience; concentration on speed techniques to a minimum of 225 wpm.
- Skill and Speed Test 22 (225 wpm) Cassette
- Cassettes:
- Literary, Jury Charge and Two-Voice Dictation (Speed Takes 41-56)
- Proctored Examination 2
- Work Experience Option
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Train to be a Court Reporter — at home, at your own pace, with Queens College Continuing Education Program.
There are certain skills you need to have to become a Court Reporter. With the help from Penn Foster Career School, Queens College Continuing Education Program helps you learn Court Reporting quickly and conveniently. Unlike a traditional Court Reporter school, Queens College Continuing Education features self-guided, independent learning.
- You’ll get hands-on training in:
- Court and Realtime Reporting
- Written Communication and Personal Skills
- Legal and Medical Terminology
- Professional and Speed Development
- Advanced Realtime Skills
And you’ll learn it all at home – no classroom needed! It’s like attending your own personal Court Reporting School! You have an opportunity here to work at your own leisure in a time where you see fit.
Start a challenging, moneymaking career
as a Court Reporter.
You can get the training you need to become a Court Reporter – even if time and location keep you from attending a traditional Court Reporter School! With your Queens College Continuing Education Program Court Reporter Certificate, you can:
- Work for a law firm, federal or state government agency, or TV network or station as a stenocaptioner.
- Start your own freelance court reporter business and enjoy the freedom of being your own boss!
The U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts a 13% increase in the number of job opportunities for Court Reporters by 2012.** As a freelance Court Reporter, you can work the hours you choose and guide your business toward success!
