3 Semesters - 37 Credit Hours - 45 Academic Weeks
Program Objective: Completers of the Certificate in Voice Writing program are educated for interesting and challenging positions of responsibility and trust as official, freelance, legislative and government reporters, and realtime reporters. They are employed by law firms, court reporting agencies, the government, universities and other educational bodies, and private businesses. Many court reporters work in the freelance field and are self-employed. This skill is used in a variety of occupations within the legal field as well as CART for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Students receiving their Certificate in Voice Writing must complete all classes as well as all graduation requirements.
Graduation Requirements and Program Outcomes
To be eligible for a Certificate in Voice Writing, a student must meet the following requirements:
- Earn 37 hours of credit in court reporting for voice writing, which includes courses in theory, speed building, and other academic areas (see #7 below).
- Pass nine 5-minute dictation tests from unfamiliar material with at least 95 percent accuracy in the following categories: three 180 literary tests, three 200 jury charge tests, and three 225 two-voice testimony tests following the college’s exit speed requirement policy;
- Transcribe simulated CSR/RPR/CVR skills tests at 180 literary, 200 jury charge, 225 testimony with no more than 3.75 hours transcription time (75 minutes per test);
- Transcribe a simulated Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) or Realtime Verbatim Reporter (RVR) test at 180-200 words per minute for five minutes;
- Produce a ten-page, first-pass transcript with 95 percent translation within two hours using CAT software;
- Complete a practicum (internship) consisting of one of three options: (1) obtain national or state certification; (2) obtain employment in a court reporting field; or (3) complete 60 actual hours of voice writing time and transcribe at least 50 pages from the internship experience;
- Pass Court Reporting English, Advanced Communications, Introduction to Realtime Technology, Court Reporting Processes and Development, Technology I, and CSR/CVR Preparation; and Courtroom/Court Reporting Practicum.
Students who repeat an SB (skill development) course or exceed the standard time frame may be required to take additional courses each semester. Such courses may include skill development courses or additional English\communications courses.
Students must achieve an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all courses completed.