Programs A-Z

CCR offers students three programs that directly lead to gainful employment opportunities as court reporters, captioners, CART providers, transcriptionists, and other related fields nationwide. The programs offered are Certificate in Voice Writing , Certificate in Court Reporting , and Associate of Applied Science in Court Reporting .

Grading System

The college permits the use of plus and minus grades and utilizes the following formula in attaching varying weights to these grades in computing grade point: A=4.0; A-=3.7; B+=3.3; B=3.0; B-=2.7; C+=2.3; C=2.0; C-=1.7; D+=1.3; D=1.0; D-=0.7; F=0.0; P = Pass; W = Withdrawal; I = Incomplete; T=Transfer or Test-out credit.

Each course syllabus identifies grading criteria and weight for participation, assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, attendance, resubmission, etc., as applicable. 

Students may receive a passing grade (T) with no letter grade designation when testing out of, or receiving transfer credit for, a certain class. A passing grade (T) does not have a weight attached to it and will not affect the student’s grade point average. Students may receive an incomplete (I) when the work of a course is substantially completed and the student’s work is of passing quality. Since students have not earned credit for a course in which the incomplete (I) was awarded, the grade for the course will not be calculated in the student’s GPA until the coursework is completed and the student receives the final grade for the course.

Mentor Tests

Tests proctored by mentors are taken to demonstrate mastery of 80 wpm, 120 wpm, 160 wpm, and each exit speed (225 two-voice testimony, 200 jury charge, and 180 literary). The requirements and instructions for these tests are available through the SH 130 -SH 240 , SB 202  - SB 203 , and SB 202-V  - SB 203-V  faculty. 

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

In order to successfully complete a program of study, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). CCR adheres to the policies and guidelines of the U.S. Department of Education’s SAP requirements. To be considered to be making satisfactory progress toward an academic credential, a student must maintain minimum grade point averages, earn a minimum of credits attempted, and proceed through and complete their course of study within a specified maximum time frame. Progress is monitored each semester. SAP policies are cumulative throughout enrollment and are applied consistently to all students. All credits attempted, starting with the first semester of enrollment and including transfer and test-out credits, are considered whether or not federal financial aid was utilized. SAP policies and standards apply to all students including those who are readmitted and those who transferred from another program or institution. Students must be making satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for Title IV financial aid. Financial aid disbursements are credited directly to the tuition accounts of eligible students.

Transfer credits and course competency credits are accepted by CCR. Transfer credits are determined by the director of compliance or a designated administrator and are counted as both attempted and completed hours to determine a student’s total credits earned. Transfer credits are not used as part of the calculation to determine a student’s GPA. Students may earn course competency credits for a course by passing the course competency examination. Passing a course competency examination demonstrates that a student mastered the expected learning outcomes of the course. Course competency credits are counted as both attempted and completed hours to determine a student’s total credits earned. Course competency credits are not used as part of the calculation to determine a student’s GPA. A student must earn 25 percent or more of their program credits at CCR to earn an academic credential. Transfer credits do not count toward the 25 percent requirement; however, course competency credits do count toward the 25 percent requirement. 

SAP includes both quantitative and qualitative measurements equally applied to all students. The quantitative measurement is defined by the minimum percentage of credit hours that must be earned each semester in order for students to complete their respective program within the maximum time frame. Students must earn a minimum of 67 percent of attempted credits each semester and complete all program requirements within the maximum time frame allowed in a given program. The qualitative measurement is determined by the semester and cumulative GPA. Students must earn a 2.0 semester and cumulative GPA to remain in good academic standing.

Students are informed of their progress each semester and standards are applied consistently to all students. Those who are not on track to earn a C or higher in any course are notified after Weeks 5 and 10 each semester. 

Evaluation of SAP

Students must meet the following criteria at the end of each semester to meet SAP requirements:

1. Maintain a minimum semester and cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher; 
2. Complete at least 67% of all credits attempted; and 
3. Be within 150% of the published credits required for program completion.

The director of student services reviews every transcript at the end of every semester to determine if Satisfactory Academic Progress is being maintained. Any student not meeting the SAP requirements is given a warning and placed on warning status the following semester. All teachers are provided a list of students who are on warning status. Students are also reminded by the director of student services about their warning status during semester registration.

Students placed on warning status must improve their performance to the stated standards within the warning status period to be considered meeting SAP requirements. The college offers additional assistance to students placed on warning status. Students are notified by the director of student services via email and a call that the student is on warning status. Students are told why and what they need to accomplish to return to good academic standing. The director of student services provides initial academic advising and recommends that each student make an appointment to develop a strategy to return to good academic standing.

For financial aid purposes, grades of D- (D minus) or higher are considered completed credits and are calculated in a student’s semester and cumulative GPA. Withdrawals (W), Incompletes (I), and grades of F (fail) are not considered completed credits and will affect the percentage of credits attempted.

NOTE: Students who have earned a semester grade point average of 0.0 (zero) by receiving all or a combination of W, I, or F will be immediately disqualified for financial aid and have to appeal the disqualification of their financial aid.

Maximum Allowable Time Frame: The maximum allowable credits that can be attempted to complete a program and remain eligible for federal financial aid is as follows: 127 for the A.A.S. in Court Reporting, 82 for the Certificate in Court Reporting, and 55 credits for the Certificate in Voice Writing. Students will receive a Warning status when they have earned 90 percent of the maximum allowable credits in their program and each semester thereafter. Students who reach the maximum allowable credits in their program are immediately ineligible for federal financial aid and will need to submit a SAP Appeal for reconsideration. Note: students may only receive an approved appeal (probation) for Maximum Time Frame one time.

Failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress: Failure to meet the rate of completion requirement and/or the grade point average requirement will result in the following:

Academic and/or Financial Aid Warning:

1. Students who are not making satisfactory academic progress at the end of a semester will be placed on academic/financial aid warning and will be notified of their status by the director of student services (or designate) and the director of financial aid (or designated representative in the financial aid department).
2. During the term of academic/financial aid warning, students are eligible for federal financial aid and are encouraged to reevaluate their academic progression toward the completion of their course of study, obtain academic assistance, and other academic support resources to support their academic success.

Academic and/or Financial Aid Disqualification:

1. Students who are not making satisfactory academic progress after at least two semesters of enrollment will be placed on academic/financial aid disqualification and notified of their status via email.
2. Students who are placed on academic/financial aid disqualification will be ineligible to receive federal financial aid for the next semester of enrollment unless they have an approved SAP Appeal or until their academic standing improves to meet or exceed SAP guidelines.

SAP Appeal Process:

Federal regulations restrict those circumstances that may enable a SAP appeal from being successfully approved. There are several reasons a student may file an SAP appeal. These include the following: death of a family member; disabling illness or injury to the student; disabling illness or injury of an immediate family member that required the student’s care; the student’s emotional or mental health issue that required professional care; or other unusual circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Specific steps on how to appeal are outlined in the disqualification notice. A student will be required to complete or submit all of the following by the posted deadlines: 

1. Meeting with the director of student services to discuss circumstances that led to the warning and disqualification; 
2. Personal statement outlining the situation that prevented the student from being successful, including the following: specific details on how the situation has been rectified to promote academic and program success in the future; and 
3. Supporting documentation of the extenuating circumstance.

Submission of an appeal does not guarantee the reinstatement of financial aid eligibility or academic status. The decision of the SAP Appeal Committee is final. Students may not re-appeal the decision of the SAP Appeal Committee, unless additional information supporting original circumstances have been provided.

SAP Appeal Outcomes:

Academic and/or Financial Aid Probation Status:

Students who have demonstrated that mitigating circumstances contributed to their inability to meet the SAP requirements will have their financial aid eligibility and academic status reinstated on a probationary basis. To receive aid and remain enrolled beyond the probationary period, the student must meet the following: 

1. Students who were disqualified due to a GPA and/or completion rate must:
   1. Follow the prescribed degree plan submitted with the SAP appeal; and
   2. Earn a semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher; and 
   3. Successfully complete at least 67% of the courses they attempt within the semester.
2. Students who were disqualified due to Maximum Allowable Credits must:
   1. Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher; and 
   2. Complete 100% of all courses attempted per semester.

NOTE: If an SAP Appeal is approved for probation and the student does not enroll within one year, they will need to submit a new SAP Appeal to re-affirm academic program completion. 

Disqualification Status:

Students who have not demonstrated mitigating circumstances will have their SAP appeal denied and will remain ineligible for financial aid. Students who are placed on Financial Aid Disqualification will have their SAP status evaluated at the end of each semester of enrollment to determine whether the student has complied with overall cumulative SAP standards to be returned to an eligible SAP status. 

Policies Defining the Effect on Satisfactory Academic Progress of:

Failing a Course

Any student receiving an F in a course must retake the course. When the course is retaken, it will count as a repeated course. Courses at CCR are offered minimally once every three semesters; many are taught every semester. If a student receives an F, retakes the course, and receives a passing grade for the course, both grades will appear on the transcript; and both grades will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA. The grade of F has a 0.00 value toward the GPA. Retaking the course to receive a passing grade must be accomplished during the student’s established maximum time frame.

Incompletes

An incomplete (I) may be given when the work of a course is substantially completed and when the student’s work is of passing quality. Students have until the end of the semester in which the course is offered again to remove the incomplete and receive the appropriate grade for the course. If the student does not complete the coursework at the appropriate time, the incomplete will become an F. Students cannot receive additional funding from Title IV financial aid based on continuing in a class for which they received an incomplete. If the course in which the student received the incomplete is a requirement for a program, the student must complete the course with a passing grade or retake the course and receive a passing grade for the course. If the student receives an F, retakes the course, and receives a passing grade for the course, both grades will appear on the transcript and both grades will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA. Completing the coursework to remove the incomplete or retaking the course to receive a passing grade must be accomplished during the student’s established maximum time frame.

Repeating Courses

Students who are enrolled in a skill development speedbuilding course may receive a grade for the work completed. Students not fulfilling the top speed requirements in a skill development speedbuilding course (SH 130 , SH 200 , SH 220 , SH 230 , SH 240 , SB 202 , SB 203 , SB 202-V , SB 203-V ) with a high degree of competency may repeat that course in accordance with U.S. Department of Education guidelines. Students earn six credits in each required skill development course. Students may receive Title IV funds for repeating a course once in order to improve their skill level if a D- or better was initially earned. Title IV funds are not available for more than one repeat. A maximum of six courses for the A.A.S. in Court Reporting program may be repeated during a student’s matriculation which allows for the maximum time frame of 44 months at full-time enrollment for the A.A.S. in Court Reporting program.

Students receive a grade each time they take a course, and each grade will appear on the student’s transcript. Both grades for the course, the original grade and “repeat” grade, will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA.

Transfer Credit

Any student who has transferred from another school or a former student who has been readmitted may qualify to transfer credits (receive a grade of “T”) for courses in which they earned the grade of C or higher. Students may also receive a grade of “T” for successfully testing out of a course. A “T” grade has no grade weight to it; therefore, it will not be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA; however the credits for the course are counted as both attempted and completed hours to determine a student’s total credits earned.See Transfer of Credits Requirements and the Procedures for Requesting Transfer of Credits in this catalog. 

Appeals

A student who has been placed on probation and/or terminated from the CCR due to failure of meeting the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress may appeal within 30 days in writing to the director of student services or the president. The student must outline specific circumstances as to why they did not meet satisfactory progress and should not be placed on probation or terminated. This appeal must be accompanied by documentation validating the mitigating circumstances and what has changed in their situation that will allow them to meet the satisfactory progress standards in the next semester that warrant the appeal. Mitigating circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following: injury to or illness of the student, death of a relative of the student, or undue hardship to the student as the result of other special circumstances which made it impossible to achieve satisfactory progress within the required time frame. 

All appeals will be reviewed by an appeals board consisting of the entire administrative staff to determine whether the student should be allowed an additional probationary period. Students will be required to follow a written plan to improve their progress. The plan is developed by the director of education with the student and their instructor(s) will document adherence to the plan. The student will be notified in writing of the board’s decision within five days. The decision of the board is final. The reinstated student will be on probation for an additional semester. The student must meet Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress during the extended probationary period. They will be reinstated to good academic standing by attaining satisfactory progress requirements during the extended probationary period. Students who do not meet satisfactory progress during the extended probationary period will be terminated, which will not be appealable. 

Continuation as a Non-Regular Student

A student who has not progressed and who has been terminated by the college may continue as a non regular student. The student may work at home and correct skill deficiencies by working on recordings and practicing previously learned skills in order to be reinstated as a regular student. Records and documentation will not be kept on non-regular students. When a student feels competent enough to be reinstated, they must appeal to the director of student services in writing. The student’s skills will be tested, and the student will be reinstated if adequate progress was made. Upon reinstatement, the student will be placed on probation for the first semester and must maintain satisfactory progress as outlined in this catalog. 
Students cannot receive funding from Title IV financial aid when attending school as a non-regular student.Students may attend all classes and pay the regular tuition out of personal funds. Classification as a non regular student will be computed in the student’s time frame; therefore, students enrolled in school beyond their time frame are not eligible for a degree. 

Reinstatement

Dismissed students and students who withdrew while not within the required time frame as outlined in Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress may petition to reapply to the college for reinstatement. Dismissed students must remain out of school at least four months before petitioning for reinstatement. If reinstated, the student must maintain all elements of satisfactory progress as defined in this policy. With respect to financial aid, a student must complete one semester demonstrating that satisfactory progress is being achieved and be on good academic standing before financial awards will be made. 

As stated previously, when a student feels competent enough to be reinstated, they must appeal to the director of student services in writing. In order for the student’s appeal to be considered for approval, the student must detail what personal and/or academic challenges arose in the past and how those same challenges will be successfully navigated, and they must outline their training plan moving forward. Additionally, the student’s skills will be tested, and the student will be reinstated if adequate progress was made to justify reinstatement. Upon reinstatement, the student will be placed on probation for the first semester and must maintain satisfactory progress as outlined in this catalog. A re-entering student will be charged at the current tuition rates. If the student re-enters within 12 months of withdrawal, the registration fee will be waived. If the student re-enters after 12 months, the registration fee will be charged to the student. 

Military Leave of Absence Policy

College of Court Reporting follows and conforms to the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, whose regulations were codified under 20 U.S.C Section 1091c and allows post-secondary education students whose education was interrupted by voluntary or involuntary military service the right to readmission to their education program. 

If a service member must take a leave of absence because of service in the uniformed services, CCR will readmit service members into the next class or classes in the service member’s program beginning after the service member provides notice of his or her intent to reenroll.

A service member is readmitted:

• To the same program, unless the service member requests or agrees to admission to another program (if the service members program is no longer offered, CCR will admit the service member to the program that is the most similar);
• At the same enrollment status (for example, full-time), unless the service member requests or agrees to a different enrollment status;
• With the same number of credit hours completed, unless the service member is admitted to a different program and the hours are not transferable;
• With the same academic standing (for example, satisfactory academic progress status);
• For the first academic year, with the same tuition and fee charges as when the service member left, unless military benefits will pay the increase, but never more than CCR is charging other students; and 
• For subsequent academic years or for a different program, by assessing tuition and fee charges that are no more than CCR is charging other students. 

Additionally, CCR will make reasonable efforts at no extra cost to the service member to help him or her become prepared, or to enable him or her to complete the program, including but not limited to, providing refresher courses and/or allowing the service member to retake previous tests.

Withdrawal and Termination

Withdrawal is the termination of a student’s attendance in a class or in all classes before the end of a semester. Withdrawal from school will not affect a student’s satisfactory academic progress status if the student chooses to reenter the college at a later date. 

Withdrawal from Courses

A student may withdraw from any course during the automatic withdrawal period and automatically receive a grade of W by contacting the director of student services to begin the withdrawal process. The date of contact with the director of student services will be the official date of withdrawal. The automatic withdrawal period ends on the Friday of the semester’s eighth week.

After the automatic withdrawal period, a student may withdraw from a course only with the permission of the college. This approval is given only for urgent reasons relating to extended illness or equivalent distress. 

To qualify for the grade of W, a student must be passing the course at the date of withdrawal. If the student is failing the course at the time of the requested withdrawal, the grade recorded on the date of withdrawal will be an F. A W has no impact on the GPA of a student. If the student receives an F, retakes the course, and receives a passing grade for the course, both grades will appear on the student’s academic record; and both grades will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA. Retaking the course to receive a passing grade must be accomplished during the student’s established maximum time frame. 

After the first week of classes, a student might find that one or more of their courses does not meet their expectations. Not attending a class is not withdrawing from a class. Also, failure to pay tuition obligations is also not an acceptable method of withdrawing from classes. You must formally withdraw from the course you do not wish to attend or face a failing grade. Students who never attend a class or whose lack of attendance is the reason for a failing grade will still receive a failing grade. 

Proper Procedure for Withdrawing from a Course

Contact the director of student services during the automatic withdrawal period.

Refund amounts for courses dropped from an existing enrollment after classes begin will be posted to the student’s account. Refund amounts for dropped courses will be determined by the date the paperwork is processed by CCR. The refund schedule for students who drop a course or courses and remain enrolled is as follows: 

• 100 percent refund period - first week of classes - student does not owe tuition; 
• 75 percent refund period - second week of classes - student owes 25 percent of credit hours for dropped course; 
• 50 percent refund period - third week of classes - student owes 50 percent of credit hours for dropped course; 
• 25 percent refund period - fourth week of classes - student owes 75 percent of credit hours for dropped course; or 
• If a student drops the course following the fourth week of classes, they will be obligated to pay for 100 percent of the credits hours for the dropped course. 

Procedures for Withdrawing from the College

Students withdrawing completely from the college should notify the director of student services. Students may be required to schedule an exit interview with either the director of student services or the president.

Exit Interview

Students withdrawing from the college who, during their enrollment, received Title IV federal financial aid student loans will be required to complete their U.S. Department of Education financial aid exit counseling. 

Termination from the College

Students may be terminated from the college for the following reasons, in addition to not meeting standards of satisfactory academic progress: 

1. When students are caught cheating on a test, assignment, or other work.
2. Upon enrollment, all students are required by the U.S. Department of Education to sign a drug-free statement in compliance with CCR’s Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School Policy. Failure to abide by the conditions outlined in the statement are grounds for dismissal. (See Conduct and Professionalism for other grounds for dismissal.) 
3. Students with outstanding balances for tuition, books, or supplies will not be allowed to attend classes; therefore, they are subject to dismissal. Students terminated by the college will receive a written dismissal notice by certified mail. 

Electives

The College of Court Reporting offers several courses which may be taken as electives (i.e. not part of the core courses of a program). A student may choose to take an elective in order to repeat a course to improve a grade or take an elective that is outside of their program, as long as prerequisites for those electives are met. Elective courses include:

SH 131  - 60-80 SKILLBUILDER I (3 CREDITS)
SH 132  - 60-80 SKILLBUILDER II (3 CREDITS)
SH 201  - 100-120 SKILLBUILDER I (3 CREDITS)
SH 202  - 100-120 SKILLBUILDER II (3 CREDITS)
SH 221  - 140-160 SKILLBUILDER I (3 CREDITS)
SH 222  - 140-160 SKILLBUILDER II (3 CREDITS)
SH 231  - 160-180 SKILLBUILDER I (3 CREDITS)
SH 232  - 160-180 SKILLBUILDER II (3 CREDITS)
SH 241  - 200-225 SKILLBUILDER I (3 CREDITS)
SH 242  - 200-225 SKILLBUILDER II (3 CREDITS)

Student-Faculty Ratios

Due to the shortage of court reporters, captioners, and CART providers nationwide, CCR does not limit enrollment for court reporting. CCR consistently assesses market needs and trends and consults with NCRA and NVRA. This allows CCR to adapt to the future needs of the profession and adjust maximum enrollment. The maximum number of students for most classes is 30 students. An additional section will be added, as needed, if more than 30 students enroll in one course.

The following is the student-faculty ratio for all CCR programs in 2023 (from the most recent data reported to IPEDS): 15 - 1.

This is a program average; some courses may have lower or higher enrollments than others.

Placement for Graduates

The college appoints a college administrator to oversee graduate placement and employer development. The college offers placement assistance to its students and graduates; however, the college does not guarantee employment. Students and graduates are discouraged from placing restrictions on their job search endeavors regarding location, starting salary, and specific benefits because it may similarly restrict employment options. The college is not responsible for placing students who refuse to prepare a professional résumé and cover letter or conduct themselves in a professional manner (see Dress Code). 

STUDENTS: Whenever possible the college will assist students in finding part-time work. Because of this, many students are able to defray part of their expenses by working while attending college. Students are also sent a link via email when starting at CCR which provides information about their state’s licensure requirements, so they may be fully prepared for what type of certification is required in their state of residence, if any, upon graduation. This information is also posted on CCR’s website.

Throughout their program of study, students participate in employment preparation courses, which cover job-seeking and job-keeping skills and techniques. As students near graduation, a résumé is professionally prepared in C210 - Human Relations. Court reporting positions may be announced in high-speed classes, sent via email, or listed in a graduate newsletter.

GRADUATES: Graduates are encouraged to meet with an administrator in order to discuss their career and professional development. Graduate career services are available for any graduate or non-regular student for as long as they may need them.

Alternative Career Paths

There are many career paths available for students who take the course of study as outlined for the A.A.S. Degree in court reporting, the certificate in court reporting, and the certificate in voice writing. As students progress, many decide they prefer one career path over the others. Students must be reminded that the same basic skill set is the same for all career paths. Listed below are some of the careers for entry-level court reporters: 

• Freelance reporters are hired by attorneys, corporations, unions, associations, and other individuals. Students entering this career should have an interest in law and legal proceedings.
• Official court reporters work for state and federal judicial systems. Students entering this career should have an interest in law and legal proceedings. 
• Broadcast captioners provide captions of live television programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Reporters must have excellent vocabulary, communication, and realtime translation skills. Current events and all general education courses are essential.
• A version of the captioning process called Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) allows court reporters to provide more personalized services for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. CART providers commonly caption classes for college students. CART reporters must have excellent vocabulary, communication, and realtime translation skills. Current events and all general education courses are essential.
• Legislative reporting is a very prestigious and vitally important position and requires a person interested in government and the legislative process.
• International reporting is worldwide and requires a person who likes to travel. Knowing foreign languages is very helpful.
• Webcasters are reporters who use their training to capture financial earnings reports, sales meetings, press conferences, product introductions, and technical training seminars and instantly transmit the captions to all parties involved via the Internet. 

Transcripts and Diplomas

All students’ records and official transcripts may be obtained by written request by the student. Records will be sent for a $25 service fee per record. Diplomas will be issued at the end of the semester in which a student completes the entire requirements for their program of study. They cannot be ordered until all bills are paid and documentation is complete. It may take two months or longer after the graduation date before diplomas are issued to graduates. 

There are occasions when a CCR student wishes to transfer to another institution. The acceptance of earned transfer credits is determined by the receiving institution and not by CCR. 

Class Schedule

The college is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time, unless otherwise posted. Students enrolled in online courses are required to attend live classes at specified times as required by individual instructor’s class policy. Live online classes are typically scheduled Monday through Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Central Time. Each live class is 60 minutes in length. Each course typically consists of one live class each week. Each semester consists of 15 academic weeks and lasts approximately four months. 

Credit Hours

The U.S. Department of Education defines a credit hour as follows:

Except as provided in 34 CFR 668.8(k) and (l), a credit hour is an amount of student work defined by an institution, as approved by the institution’s accrediting agency or State approval agency, that is consistent with commonly accepted practice in postsecondary education and that—

1. Reasonably approximates not less than—
   1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time; or
   2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1)(i) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours; and
2. Permits an institution, in determining the amount of work associated with a credit hour, to take into account a variety of delivery methods, measurements of student work, academic calendars, disciplines, and degree levels. 34 C.F.R. 600.2

The procedures that the college utilizes to ensure the application of this definition are through scheduled lecture hours, homework assignments, internship hours, etc. Every syllabus lists expected hours devoted to each academic activity to ensure its application of the definition. 

A credit hour represents three hours of course work per week, either in or out of class, for a 15-week semester. Therefore, a one-credit academic lecture course requires three hours of required course work per week for each of 15 weeks during the semester, a two-credit hour course requires six hours per week, and a three-credit hour course requires nine hours per week. Most three-credit hour courses meet live one hour a week each week for the 15- week semester. A course composed of lab hours meets two hours a week with another hour of outside coursework per week for each credit hour. Skill development and computer courses are a combination of lecture and lab. A court reporting steno internship requires 60 hours for each credit hour awarded to the student. A voice writing internship may be completed by performing 60 hours for each credit hour awarded to the student, however there are other options available to complete the certificate in voice writing.

A student is expected to study three to four hours a week outside of class for each credit hour earned. In order for students to graduate within the normal program time, students must devote two to three hours per day, six to seven days per week in order to meet the skill and speed proficiency needed to complete within the respective program’s designated length. An online student is expected to devote 9 hours a week per each 3-credit hour academic course and18 hours per week for each 6-credit skill development course. This involves a combination of academic engagement and preparation. 

Academic engagement may include, but is not limited to, attending a live class or the recording of a live class; submitting an academic assignment or dictation test; listening to class lectures or webinars (synchronous or asynchronous); taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; attending an assigned study group; contributing to an academic online discussion; initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course and laboratory work; reviewing feedback from instructors on assignments and tests; and live or EV360 skill development and speedbuilding classes.

Preparation is typically homework, such as reading and study time, and completing assignments and projects. All student work is documented in the curriculum materials and syllabi. A 6-credit hour course requires a combination of academic engagement, drill work, homework assignments, and practice totaling a minimum of 18 hours a week or 270 hours each 15-week semester; a 3-credit hour course requires a total of 9 hours a week or 135 hours each 15-week semester of academic engagement and preparation. A one-credit internship course in the A.A.S. in Court Reporting degree program and certificate in court reporting consists of 60 documented and verified hours writing on a stenographic machine or using voice-to-text technology in the courts, depositions, while captioning, providing CART, etc. A voice writing internship may be completed by performing 60 hours for each credit hour awarded to the student, however there are other options available to complete the certificate in voice writing. 

Course Numbering System

Courses are numbered according to the following plan: 

The letter prefix before a course indicates the type of course: C=communication courses, CR=court reporting academic courses, SH=shorthand, SB=shorthand (certificate program)/voice-to-text, M=medical, LT=legal terminology, T=technology and computer courses, TE=Text Entry, and VB= Voice Theory. 

Most courses are numbered in the order in which they are taken. It is recommended that students enroll in lower-numbered courses first and higher numbers later in their education. First-year courses begin with a number “1”; second year courses begin with a number “2.”

Programs