Degree Overview: Associate of Educational Reporter
Majors Overview July 31, 2013The term ‘educational reporter’ may be referred to as someone who works as a journalist and covers topics on academic or who transcribes classes for hearing-impaired student. Make an informed decision on your career by learning about associate’s degrees for both types of educational reporters and the salaries, career prospects, and requirements.
Associate’s Degree Program in Court Reporting
Students enrolled in an associate’s degree program in court reporting can become educational reporters by completing coursework that stresses communication access real-time translation (CART). CART is also used in broadcast captioning where a hard-of-hearing or deaf student is accompanied by a reporter to class; the student can read a real-time translation typed by the reporter, on a computer screen. The American with Disabilities Act lists this assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation. Students enrolled in the two-year associate’s degree program can expect to learn how to transcribe spoken words while learning about the deaf and the culture of their community.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require applicants to hold a general educational development (GED) certificate or a high school diploma. They would also need to have basic computer skills and great keyboarding ability; students can gain such proficiency by enrolling in basic courses before gaining admission to reporting classes.
Program Coursework
Educational reporters are required to be proficient in CART technology, so the associate degree program covers different courses that hone those skills. Students will study spelling and grammar and learn how to create a CART dictionary that they will use in transcription. Program course topics may include the following:
•Basics of court reporting
•Business English
•Business math
•Building speed
•Deaf culture
Salary Information and Employment Outlook
Job growth of fourteen percent has been projected for court reporters of all types during the period from 2010 to 2020 (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). This is about equal to the average for all other occupations. Reporters who have received training in CART are expected to enjoy the most favorable employment prospects, according to BLS. This optimistic projection is due to an aging population that would require transcription services at public gatherings or medical appointments, as opposed to education needs. In May 2011, court reporters took home an average annual salary of $48,530 (BLS).
Certification and Continuing Education Information
Students enrolled in most educational reporter associate degree programs are trained to satisfy the certification requirements set by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). The Certified CART Provider (CCP) designation is offered by the NCRA to applicants who satisfy accuracy and speed requirements and the passage of a knowledge test. NCRA continuing education requirements must be completed by applicants to maintain their professional certifications.
