Stenography is not offered as a stand-alone degree. Aspiring stenographers can enroll in court reporter programs offered by community colleges, vocational schools and online court reporting schools through which they will receive training in stenography.
Schools with Court Recording Programs
The following schools offer programs in court recording. Tuition information is based on the 2015-2016 academic year.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Tuition (2015-2016)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anoka Technical College | Anoka, MN | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | $5,584 |
| Gadsden State Community College | Gadsden, AL | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | $3,216 (in-state), $5,976 (out-of-state) |
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh, PA | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | $3,999 (in-district), $7,298 (in-state), $10,440 (out-of-state) |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 4-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | $4,344 (in-state), $4,751 (out-of-state) |
| San Antonio College | San Antonio, TX | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | $2,088 (in-district), $5,550 (in-state), $10,740 (out-of-state) |
| Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland, WI | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $4,064 (in-state), $5,990 (out-of-state) |
| El Paso Community College | El Paso, TX | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | $2,386 (in-state), $4,042 (out-of-state) |
| Clark State Community College | Springfield, OH | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | $3,359 (in-state), $6,271 (out-of-state) |
| MacCormac College | Chicago, IL | 2-year, Private | Associate's | $12,660 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
How to Choose a Stenography Program
Students can pursue either certificate or associate's degree programs in court reporting. This distinction may help them select a program, along with some of the other criteria listed below:
- Individuals interested in stenography should consider attending a program that contains multiple courses in stenography, training on using a stenotype machine and internships specifically focusing on stenography.
- When selecting a program, students should consider attending one with a curriculum that conforms to the certification standards set by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
- Internships are important to aspiring stenographers because they provide experience working in the field and networking opportunities with attorneys, court employees and other court reporters; schools offering internship opportunities may make finding employment after graduation easier.
- Consider the school's placement rate and whether it assists graduates with finding employment.
- Some schools offer fully online programs while others make specific courses available over the Internet.
Certificate of Completion
A certificate program in court reporting may take two years to complete. Many programs include speed and accuracy examinations and prepare students to take NCRA certification exams to become a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), the basic professional level of stenographer. Students may also be required to complete internships to gain practical experience. Courses in these programs include:
- Machine shorthand
- Question and answer transcription
- Speed building
Associate's Degree Programs
An associate's degree program in court reporting prepares students for certification exams. Some programs require students to complete an internship in addition to general education courses and core requirements. These programs include courses in topics like:
- Machine shorthand theory
- Court transcription
- Question and answer reporting
- Business law
- Jury charge
Each student will have different goals for their stenography career. These goals will help them select the right program for them, whether it be a certificate or an associate's degree program in court reporting.
