As discussed in our recent blog post on the Court Reporter Shortage, the court reporting industry needs an influx of new, young professionals. Luckily, the industry boasts many advantages that should attract these neophytes to the stenotype. In particular, the educational requirements to become a court reporter are more flexible than those of many other professions. Most young people invest in a four-year college degree program and emerge to an uncertain job market, laden with student debt. By contrast, most court reporting educational programs involve a less financially demanding, two-year certification process. Many programs include online schools for greater convenience. Even better, because of current high demand, court reporters are incredibly employable right out of school. Low risk, high reward.
This is not to say that a court reporting education should not be taken seriously. While educational demands are less strenuous for reporters, court reporting is a highly specialized skill. The quality of a professional’s education is critical to his or her success. For a court reporter, highly accredited certification and continued education are key to ensuring marketability and breaking into that six-figure salary bracket. Prospective court reporters should invest in a quality education at an accredited institution.
College of Court Reporting: On-Campus and Online Opportunities
For prospective court reporters in Indiana, the College of Court Reporting (CCR) offers that quality education. CCR has met the standards of the Council on Approved Student Education (CASE) of the National Court Reporters Association and is thus “NCRA-approved.” As such, CCR has a national reputation; an associate degree from CCR will be recognized and esteemed by established court reporting firms.
Founded in 1984, CCR is committed to preparing students to be court reporters with experienced faculty, a comprehensive curriculum and state-of-the-art technology. CCR offers a one-of-a-kind approach to education and evaluation. The normal length of the court reporting program is 28 months (though this can be extended to up to 44 months, should a student choose to do so). Whether a student is looking to start out in this industry or make a career change, the College of Court Reporting in Valparaiso, Indiana can pave the way.
The Online School
CCR fosters a uniquely blended learning environment for students, which enables them to learn both on-campus in Hobart and online. This perspective offers students true flexibility in their educational endeavors. Prospective court reporters are no longer limited to a traditional classroom.
In 2001, CCR received approval from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to offer its entire court reporting program through distance learning via the Internet. The CCR online court reporting program enables students to earn their associate degree at their convenience — whenever and wherever they choose. This online option can be a more economical and suitable option for a variety of students. With the CCR online school, students can tailor their education to their lives, rather than the other way around.
Court reporting can be an incredibly lucrative and gratifying profession. Due to the current high demand for court reporters, it has never before been so advantageous to enter the industry. For bright, focused individuals seeking a career path, court reporting is an enticing option. Accredited institutions such as the College of Court Reporting in Valparaiso, Indiana can be an excellent stepping stone toward building a successful and lasting court reporting career.
