You’ve seen high-profile trials with a person keying the testimony into a stenograph machine or read the scrolling captions for the hearing-impaired on your TV screen. The person recording the spoken words at speeds ranging from 180 to 225 words a minute is a court reporter. If you’re an excellent listener, have strong language and communications skills, and are committed to accuracy and confidentiality, a career in court reporting may be a perfect fit for you.
Lakeshore Technical College offers its Court Reporting program in cooperation with technical colleges across the state. As a court reporting student, you'll attend live, interactive television classes sent from Lakeshore Technical College to Moraine Park. General studies classes and labs can be taken at Moraine Park. For more information, please see Lakeshore Technical College's Court Reporting program information.
Develop proficiency in machine shorthand using realtime theory.
Produce salable transcripts on a realtime translation system.
Demonstrate knowledge of proper reporting procedures and responsibilities for freelance and official reporting.
Demonstrate knowledge of legal and medical concepts and terminology.
Demonstrate knowledge of the professional reporting organizations and methods of gaining certification as a Registered Professional Reporter.
Develop a personal dictionary, read, translate, and edit transcripts using CAT (computer-aided transcription) software.
College assessment test (ACCUPLACER, ACT or other). Note: The ACCUPLACER assessment can be taken at MPTC.