Monday, 28 May 2012

Online Classes in Court Stenography

Court stenographer training courses are available completely online and offer a diploma or certificate, associate's degree or sometimes a bachelor's degree as part of a broader program. Programs in court stenography take between one and three years to complete. Voluntary continuing education courses are offered for professionals interested in career advancement opportunities.

Overview of Online Court Stenography Courses

Online courses teach court stenography through the use of a stenotype machine or through electronic reporting methods to accurately and completely record all communications during legal proceedings. Court stenographers are expected to type at a minimum speed of 225 words per minute. Many states require specific licensing or certification. Upon completion of courses, students can find employment as court reporters or broadcast captioners.

Course Requirements

Students should have access to a computer with audio and video capabilities along with Internet access. In addition, a stenotype machine or stenography software may be required.
A word processing program, PDF reader and other office software such as PowerPoint may be required for online courses. Many schools offer unique programs designed to facilitate learning and practice of techniques. Courses also utilize written material through textbooks or study guides.

List of Online Courses

Computerized Machine Shorthand

These courses may be offered in a series due to increasing difficulty and skill level requirements. A combination of theory and practice is taught in order to build speed and accuracy through knowledge of phonics and shorthand. Students gain familiarity with the equipment and technology used in court stenography. Transcription skills, accuracy and speed are tested through dictation exercises. Grammar, punctuation and spelling are underlying subjects which also factor in a student's success in these of courses.

Basics of Law

Prospective court stenographers should have a fundamental knowledge of the law and legal systems. This course covers the principles of law and the history of law including civil and criminal justice systems, legal procedures, legislature and ethics.

Legal Terminology

In this course, legal vocabulary and terminology are taught. Students learn to identify, spell and define common legal terminology used in a courtroom. Techniques aiding in accurate recognition of legal terminology are also covered in this course.

Medical Terminology

Vocabulary used in the medical industry is taught in this course. Students learn how to correctly identify and transcribe common medical terms. Diseases, body systems and drugs are some of the topics covered through this course. Methods for medical research are also provided to students taking this course.

Court Reporting Procedures

This course teaches the prospective court stenographer their role in the courtroom and workplace. Proper methods of transcription and reporting, specific court procedures and research practices are covered in this course. This course focuses on the specific job duties of the working court stenographer and often involves student interaction through discussion and other sharing of information.

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