Degree Overview: Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree in Court Reporting
Majors Overview December 18, 2013The role of a court reporter is to record the dialogues, meetings, and speeches or legal proceedings. This is not limited to just the legal system; court reporters can find work in several fields. Preparation for certification examinations can be found in certain programs.
A.S. Programs in Court Reporting
Students enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Science degree in court reporting are taught about translation programs and testimony. Aspiring court reporters who complete these programs can expect to see improvement in their typing speeds.
Some schools use speed tests to measure the typing proficiency of students. It typically takes 2-3 years to complete these programs which are devised to impart graduates the skills they would need for passage of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) exam. Admission criteria typically require applicants to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma.
Coursework
Individuals can expect to become adept at reporting courtroom trials and captioning TV programs. Coursework may include participation in an internship that would allow students to gain real-world experience. Other courses include subject areas such as:
•English composition
•Medical and legal diction
•Word processing
•Machine shorthand
•Business law
•Computer-aided transcription
Career Choices
Graduates of an associate’s degree in court reporting could enjoy several opportunities in the field in various positions such as:
•Broadcast captioning
•Real-time translation
•Freelance reporting
•Webcasting
•Deposition and court reporting
Continuing Education Choices
Voice writers, who are a type of court reporter, are expected in some states to obtain licensure (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Depending on the state of location, court reporters may also be required to become notary public. They can seek voluntary certifications such as a Registered Professional Reporter certification offered by the NCRA or the Federal Certified Real-time Reporter certification administered by the United States Court Reporters Association. The American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers offer certification that could prove useful to electronic court reporters. Those seeking certification would, in most cases, be required to get additional training and pass examinations.