Certificate of Completion - Program Map - 2025-2026
Public Service

Program Description

The Certificate of Completion in Court Reporting teaches students the skills and knowledge needed to pass the Texas Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) Examination and the National Court Reporters Association (RPR) Examination such as stenography, transcription, note taking, audio/visual recording, courtroom etiquette, how to identify verbal and non-verbal cues; listening and interpreting; editing; and public speaking skills. Both CSR and RPR exams consist of a written knowledge exam (must score 70% or better) and a skills exam (must type 225 words per minute with 95% accuracy). All applicants must be fingerprinted. In order to work as a court reporter in the State of Texas, you must be certified by the State. Students are required to contact the Court Reporting Instructional Coordinator directly for information regarding this program.The capstone course for the Certificate of Completion is CRTR 2331, Court Reporter Certification Preparation.

Career Opportunities

Potential Careers: Court Reporters (State Courts/Legislatures, Local Courts/Legislatures, Freelance, Law Firms, Corporations, etc.) • Broadcast Captioners • Communication Access Real-Time Translator (CART) Providers • Certified Captioner Reporter • Remote Captioner • Online Captioner • Classroom Captioner

Potential Salary: $80,558 to $137,917/year as a Texas official/freelancer, $107,329 to $112,206/year as a federal reporter; and salary varies from $75,000 to $125,000/year nationally, or more, for CART/Captioners depending on career, education, location, and experience.

For more information on possible careers, education requirements, and salaries, please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov

Court Reporting

Certificate of Completion

First Semester

Credit Hours

CRTR

1202

Law and Legal Terminology

2

CRTR

1312

Court Reporting Communications I

3

CRTR

1314

Court Reporting Technology I

3

CRTR

1404

Machine Shorthand I

4

12

Second Semester

Credit Hours

CRTR

1406

Machine Shorthand II

4

CRTR

2311

Court Reporting Communications II

3

HPRS

1206

Essentials of Medical Terminology

2

9

Third Semester (Summer)

Credit Hours

CRTR

2401

Intermediate Machine Shorthand

4

4

Fourth Semester

Credit Hours

CRTR

2312

Court Reporting Procedures

3

CRTR

2403

Advanced Machine Shorthand

4

7

Fifth Semester

Credit Hours

CRTR

1308

Realtime Court Reporting I

3

CRTR

2380

Cooperative Education-Court Reporting/Court Reporter

3

CRTR

2435

Accelerated Machine Shorthand

4

10

Sixth Semester

Credit Hours

CRTR

2331

Court Reporter Certification Preparation

3

3

Total Credit Hours

45


(C) Core Curriculum Course (F) Field of Study Course

Things To Know

  • Students need to have access to reliable internet, and Windows 10 plus is required; Mac and iOS-supported devices are not compatible with Case CATalyst software.
  • This program heavily relies on Blackboard and Realtime Coach (RTC).
  • Only stenographic machines that are computer-compatible and real-time-ready are acceptable for use.
  • Preferred stenographic machines: Luminex CSE, Protégé, Elan Cybra, Stentura Fusion, Elan Mira, Diamante, ProCAT Blaze, and Stenographic Wave Writer.
  • Students will need to rent, rent-to-own, or buy a stenographic machine, contact the Court Reporting department for further information.
  • Students must obtain Case CATalyst software through Stenograph (subscription or one-time purchase).
  • Visit your counselor/advisor at the end of each semester to plan next semester's courses.
  • Some courses in this degree may count towards the Court Reporting AAS, Machine Shorthand Scopist, and Realtime Closed Captioning/CART Certificates. Check degree plans.
  • Check with the transferring institution for course applicability to a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Marketable Skills

By the completion of the Realtime Closed Captioning/CART Certificate of Completion, students will have gained the following marketable skills:

  • Adaptability: Students are able to flexibly and effectively adapt to changing environments and needs.
  • Communication: Students are effective oral and written communicators and display the ability to listen to comprehend.
  • Personal Responsibility: Students demonstrate professionalism and a strong, independent work ethic.
  • Social Responsibility: Students demonstrate personal ethics, integrity, and civic engagement.
  • Technology: Students are well-versed in the technological programs and applications used in their field.

Requirements

Students are required to have a PC, Blackboard access, a stenographic machine, Realtime Coach, and Case CATalyst. Contact the Court Reporting Instructional Coordinator for details. Check course descriptions in the catalog for CRTR exit requirements.