Equipment Checklist

120-140 wpm

This is an introductory course that focuses on the history of court reporting and is an introduction to the Voice Writing Method. Students will learn breathing techniques and form words, phrases, and punctuation at increasing speeds from pre-recorded dictation.  

** It's important to note that achieving proficiency in Speed building is performance-based and may extend beyond the 12-month timeframe, determined by the number of hours dedicated to practice.

140-160 wpm

Building on Voice Writing Theory I, this course serves as a continuation to solidify the fundamentals. Students will further develop and apply these skills, focusing on enhancing both speed and accuracy. 

Transcribe and successfully complete nine 5-minute dictation tests with a minimum accuracy of 95 percent. These tests include three in the literary category, three in the jury charge category, and three involving two-voice or four-voice testimony. 

This course concentrates on addressing prevalent grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors within a judicial context. Students will gain an understanding of the significance of meticulous proofreading and the production of transcripts that are free from errors. 

This course employs a comprehensive approach to grasp the complexities of English grammar and punctuation, custom-tailored to fulfill the distinctive requirements of court reporters in the context of courtroom transcripts. The rules are adjusted to align with the specialized English used in this field.

This course emphasizes providing straightforward definitions for the legal terms essential to your daily work. By the course's conclusion, terms such as "writ of certiorari" and "sua sponte" should effortlessly roll off your tongue.

This course introduces the study of the structure of medical words and terms to enhance students' understanding of terminology essential for their daily work. The primary approach to building medical vocabulary involves identifying prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Students also develop the ability to recognize Greek and Latin derivatives. 

This course covers comprehensive aspects of court reporting and legal procedures encompassing various reporting assignments, administering oaths, reporting interrogatories, statements, and depositions. It also addresses handling parentheticals, objections, exhibits, and interpreted proceedings, along with taking and transcribing court cases, computer-aided transcription, daily copy, video, grand jury work, testing, and the practical functioning of court reporters in the real world.

160-180 wpm

Transcribe and successfully complete nine 5-minute dictation tests with a minimum accuracy of 95 percent. These tests include three in the literary category, three in the jury charge category, and three involving two-voice or four-voice testimony. 

** It's important to note that achieving proficiency in Speed building is performance-based and may extend beyond the 12-month timeframe, determined by the number of hours dedicated to practice. 

180-250 wpm

Transcribe and successfully complete nine 5-minute dictation tests with a minimum accuracy of 95 percent. These tests include three in the literary category, three in the jury charge category, and three involving two-voice or four-voice testimony. 

** It's important to note that achieving proficiency in Speed building is performance-based and may extend beyond the 12-month timeframe, determined by the number of hours dedicated to practice. 

In this course, students will develop beginner-level proficiency in utilizing AudioScribe CAT software. This includes, but is not limited to, real-time writing, creating, building, and maintaining dictionaries, as well as tasks such as editing, formatting, creating, using, and launching macros. Additionally, a review of basic computer skills is incorporated into the curriculum. 

This portion of the program focuses on giving the student a deeper understanding of the ins and outs of the courtroom with practical experience that complements research and school-based theoretical learning in the courtroom, depositions, and CART/Captioning.   

The student must complete 20 actual hours of court reporting and 20 actual hours of freelance reporting shadowing a licensed reporter and transcribe at least 40 pages from the externship experience.