Overview
of
Court Reporting
 Few careers in our region offer financial rewards as great as Court and Realtime reporting. Typical graduates of our 24-month program immediately begin earning $35,000 working just part-time and the AVERAGE court reporter in our area is earning $60,000 a year. Some local reporters are earning well over $100,000 a year.
In our program, you will learn how to transcribe realtime voice for attorneys and in the courtroom. You will also learn how to caption for television and other live events. Reporters are generally self-employed, set their own hours and are able to select the projects they wish to do. Most use their homes as their base of operations. This gives the profession a far greater level of flexibility than conventional jobs and makes it ideal for both (well-paid) part-time work or (exceptional) full-time work.
In the past, a drawback to enrolling in the program was the cost of equipment and the full-time study requirements. However, new in 2007, Kilgore College will offer federal loans, which can be used to purchase your equipment and pay for your tuition and living expenses. The program has also been modified so that students, who have finished the first semester, spend only three days a week on the KC--Longview campus. The rest of the practice time is done online at your convenience. These changes make the program both affordable and practical for almost anyone.
Note: Although most students can finish the program in two years, many require more time to develop their speed.
Take a Court Reporting Career Self-Quiz to see if this career is a good match for you!
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What do graduates of the program do?
 Many career options exist for reporters. A steno-machine reporter can, of course, work in the courtroom. In addition, a steno-machine reporter can do pretrial work (freelance work), work for the hearing impaired (CART work), and broadcasting work (closed captioning). Also, reporters are often called upon to make a record for meetings, public forums, and conventions. Scopists assist Court Reporters by transcribing steno-machine transcripts into a form readable by anyone.
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What is the job outlook for graduates?
 Due to the increased demand for qualified court reporters throughout the nation and the lack of institutions providing the necessary training, the job outlook is good for reporters. New federal requirements that all live television broadcasts be captioned has created a huge surge in the demand for reporters. “I have never had to help a graduate find a job.” — Dawn Wilson, Kilgore College Court Reporting Program Director.
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What kind of salary can graduates
expect locally and nationally?
 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median salary for Court Reporting/Scopist is $64,670. Local salaries vary. Some local reporters earn well over $100,000 per year. |
How long does it take to complete the program?
 Call Kilgore College—Longview at (903) 753-2642 to make an appointment with a counselor. You may also telephone or e-mail Dawn Wilson, who is the program director for Court Reporting. |
State Association Web site: Texas Court Reporters Association
National Association Web site: National Court Reporters Association
Cost of Program
Tuition:
Degree— $3,959 (In-District) $7,438 (Out-of-District) $9,852 (Out-of-State)
Certificates— $3,299 (In-District) $6,043 (Out-of-District) $7,947 (Out-of-State)
Textbooks & Supplies: Approximately $1,250 (Cost is spread out over the two years.)
Stenograph Machine: $50 per onth rental charge for the first semester.
For the second semester, students will purchase their own machines. A student model is about $1,435. The cost of the student model can be applied to the professional model if traded in within three years. The professional model, which is the model that will be used on the job, is approximately $4,100. Student loans are available for the purchase of these machines.
How do I get more information about this program?
Dawn Wilson is the program director for court reporting. She would be happy to answer any questions you have about court reporting. You can call or e-mail her or come by the school any time.
 Dawn Wilson
Program Director
Phone: (903) 753-2642
Fax: (903) 753-3372
dwilson@kilgore.edu
Location: Kilgore College--Longview,
300 S. High Street
Program qualifies for the Texas Two-Step Project.
Credits will apply towards a bachelor's degree.
Court_rpt. 08/04/08 v14
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