What is Court Reporting?

Simply put, Court Reporting (also known as Stenography) is the production of a word-for-word, transcript of the legal proceedings in a courtroom or a deposition.

More specifically, the reporter listens and writes shorthand notes on a steno machine and then these notes are translated by computer software into English. The reporter then takes the rough transcript and edits and proofreads it before printing a final transcript. This final transcript then becomes part of the official record for the court and lawyers to use and reference during the trial.

By attending NYCI as a Court Reporting student, you will first learn how to break down the English language phonetically and then apply it to the steno machine. At the same time, you will also take classes in English and Grammar, Legal and Medical Terminology, and Courtroom Procedures - just to name a few. Once you've learned the phonetic theory, you will then begin to build speed on the steno machine until you reach a working speed of 225 words per minute.

225 words per minute - sounds fast. Well, it is. But that's why this career in such great demand and why, therefore, there is also the potential for earning a high income. The salaries for Court Reporters in New York are among the highest in the country.

At NYCI, we have 100% job placement. Actually, most of our Court Reporting students have job offers before they even graduate from school!

To speak with an admissions representative and get started in this exciting and lucrative career -- CALL NOW (212)962-0002

Degree / Certificates Offered

New York Career Institute offers an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree as well as certificate programs in Machine Shorthand to individuals who want to become Court, Freelance, Hearing Reporters, or Stenotype Stenographers wishing to specialize in the legal or medical stenotype programs.

Associate Degree (AOS) - Stenotype Court Reporter:
The objective of this program is to prepare the student for an entry-level position as a Court Reporter. Requirements for graduation include passing dictated material at speeds up to 225 words per minute, courtroom internship, and successful completion of a minimum of 72 credit hours.

Certificate - Stenotype Hearing Reporter:
The objective of this program is to prepare the student for an entry-level position as a Stenotype Hearing Reporter. Requirements for certification include passing dictated material at speeds up to 180 words per minute and successful completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours.

Certificate - Stenotype Stenographer:
The objective of this program is to prepare the student for an entry-level position as a Stenotype Stenographer. Requirements for certification include passing dictated material at speeds up to 80 words per minute and successful completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours.

Complete course information can be obtained by contacting our admissions department at: (212)-962-0002

Career Opportunities

The invaluable skill you will learn as a Court Reporter can lead to a career not only in the courtroom or deposition, but also in the field of Broadcast Captioning or CART Reporting.

Here's some additional information on the opportunities available:

Court Reporting - Judicial Reporting
This is the largest area of employment for Court Reporters. These reporters take records of court proceedings, depositions, and administrative hearings. The cases may be controversial and highly publicized, like criminal trials, millionaire divorces, government corruption trials, and lawsuits against everyone from movie stars to elected officials to professional athletes.

• The average income for judicial reporters is about $62,000 and the highest paid 10% earn more than $75,000.
• Deposition reporters are typically paid per job and receive a per-page fee for transcripts. How much they earn depends on where they work, how much they work and how fast they can produce the transcripts.
• The salaries and page rates for Court Reporters in New York City are among the highest in the country.

Closed / Broadcast Captioning
Those little captions that you see scrolling on TV are actually created by a stenographer with special equipment and a live-feed to a broadcast network. This work can be performed either at a central office or in the comfort of the captioner's home, depending upon the agency.

• The FCC has mandated that by 2006 all new TV programming be captioned, therefore projecting a job growth of 300%.
• Captioners can earn from $35,000 to $75,000 per year or more, depending on experience and the number of hours they work.

CART - Communications Access Realtime Reporting
These reporters provide specialized services to deaf and hard-of-hearing people. They may attend classes and translate the lectures and classroom discussions into readable text so students with hearing problems can follow and participate. These reporters also provide services for deaf and hard-of-hearing people in churches, weddings, business settings, doctors' offices, and anywhere there is a need for communication access

• CART reporters can earn from $35,000 to $65,000 per year or more, depending on the client, location and the number of hours they work.