FAQs

Is court reporting like texting?: In jan, 2 tnagers, Bae Yeong-ho and Ha Mok-min, 1 a contest 4 txtng really fast. Btw, they 1 100G. If ur gr8 @ txtng, u dont hav 2 w8 4 another contest. Its time 2 considr a career in court reportin ;)

In January, two teenagers, Bae Yeong-ho and Ha Mok-min, won a contest for texting really fast. By the way, they won $100,000. If you're great at texting, you don't have to wait for another contest. It's time to consider a career in court reporting.
While texting is a fairly recent invention, people constantly use their cell phones to send abbreviated and acronym-filled messages. Texting is a newer way of communicating; the use of abbreviations and acronyms is not. Shorthand – the use of acronyms, abbreviations and numbers in place of full words – is nothing new. Court reporters have used shorthand for decades to keep up with the rapid speaking pace of attorneys, judges and witnesses in courtrooms.
But why show interest in court reporting when you can continue texting and win $100,000 in a contest? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2009, the average annual earnings for court reporters is $52,460. Average annual wages in the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan area are listed at $82,340. The profession will see an estimated 18% job growth through 2018, faster than the average of 7% for other fields. That doesn't look like such a bad way to put your texting skills to use.
So how exactly does texting relate to court reporting, aside from the shorthand?
One main factor remains the same for court reporters and texting competitors – you have to type quickly and accurately. Speed and accuracy were sought by LG Electronics to find suitable competitors, as well as the ability to shrug off distractions. A court reporter must also type quickly, accurately and avoid distractions.
Texting as a cultural phenomenon is growing, but so is court reporting as a career. If you're interested in keeping your texting skills and translating them into a career, consider StenoTech Career Institute. TTYL!
Why should I go to classes daily when I can do this program online or via a home study program?: Since court reporting is an acquired skill that must be achieved with 95 percent accuracy at 225 words per minute with 2-voice question-and-answer testimony, the failure rate is significantly high with online or home-study courses. The importance of an experienced reporting instructor leading a class, with the ability to coach individual students, cannot be duplicated outside of the traditional classroom setting. Part of StenoTech's unique success is the instructor's ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each student so that goals can be set and individuals can advance at their own pace and be successful.
What are the school's placement and retention rates?: StenoTech's main campus in Fairfield has maintained an average placement rate of 88.9 percent of graduates and completers from 2008 – 2010. The Piscataway branch campus, opened in 2005, has a three-year average of 96.3 percent.
Retention rates are calculated on an annual basis to determine students who remain enrolled in school. The Fairfield campus three-year average from 2008 – 2010 is 74.7 percent; the Piscataway campus, 82.2 percent. These statistics are strong indicators of the superior quality of education being offered.
Is it required that I own a stenotype writer?: Yes. Students enrolled in the Court/Conference Reporting Program must purchase or lease one of two approved computerized writers to enter the program. Students enrolled in Court Reporter Scoping need a writer for the first 5 – 6 months of the program and are encouraged to rent a stenowriter from the school. These machines are available on a limited basis, and students are encouraged to reserve this equipment as early as possible. Prospective students are provided with a complete packet of information pertaining to equipment requirements and vendor information.
How does the keyboard work? How is it different from a standard (QWERTY) keyboard?: The stenotype machine differs from a typewriter in that a single key or any number of keys in any combination can be depressed at the same time. Thus, a syllable or word is written with one keystroke rather than using a separate keystroke for each letter. This is one of the reasons words can be written on the stenotype machine so much faster than they can be typed on the standard (QWERTY) keyboard. Most words are written phonetically on the stenotype keyboard.
When during the year do classes begin?: Classes begin at the start of the fall and spring terms, in September and March. The next class starts are scheduled for 9/12/2011 and 3/5/2012.

How soon will I be able to write 225 wpm?: Since the course is self-paced, it depends on the individual. After the first 6 months, students will be able to write 60 to 80 wpm. With good attendance and continuing practice, the average student should achieve 225 wpm within the normal program length of 31.5 months. Some students have accomplished this writing speed in 17 - 18 months; others take considerably longer. You get out of this program what you put into it. And just like studying a foreign language, playing a musical instrument, or learning a new sport, the key to proficiency is practice/practice/practice.
What is the length of the CR program? What is the average time to reach speeds?: The length of the court reporting training program is approximately 2 ½ years, or 31.5 months. However, the program becomes self-paced after the first 9 months, upon completion of realtime theory. Students are given appropriate timeframes to reach speed goals but are afforded shorter or longer periods because of the built-in self-pacing. Some students will naturally progress faster than others. A lot depends on the student's work ethic and time devoted to practice.
How many days a week will I attend classes?: Class sessions are held Monday through Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. at the Fairfield campus; at the Piscataway campus, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. This provides 24 clock hours per week of training. Although a 10 percent allowance for absenteeism is built into the program, students enrolled in theory classes are advised not to miss time from school if at all possible.
What are the teaching credentials and/or relevant experience of instructors?: The instructional staff possesses a unique combination of field and teaching experience that averages approximately 25 years per instructor. The owner and founder of StenoTech, Jean Melone, is a certified court reporter who has accumulated 40 years' field experience as a working reporter, school administrator, and instructor. As a state-approved and nationally accredited institution, StenoTech is held to the highest standards in the selection of its instructors and curriculum development. Continuing education and professional development is required of all instructors.
Is the shorthand theory taught using realtime?: Absolutely. StenoTech has taught the NCRA-recognized StenEd realtime writing theory since the institution opened in 1989. The curriculum is based on a hands-on approach to writing "realtime steno" from the first day of classes. Software components for lab work are state-of-the-art and industry-specific, from theory tutorials through computer-aided transcription software for the production of professional transcripts.
What are the school's graduation requirements?: To graduate with receipt of a diploma, a student must achieve a minimum CGPA of 2.0 (C) and successfully complete, within the maximum time frame of 4500 clock hours, the minimum curriculum requirements outlined in the program summary or through comparable course credit.
Is employment assistance available?: Yes. We have found that most of our students are offered employment upon graduation with court reporting firms while still attending school. StenoTech has maintained an excellent track record in placing over 96 percent of all graduates and program completers throughout the school's history. Complimentary lifetime placement assistance is available to all graduates. There is no additional charge for this service.
What are the entrance requirements of StenoTech?: A high school diploma or GED equivalent is required. You should also be computer-literate and proficient with the English language. There is an entrance examination that consists of a Wonderlic test for general knowledge and an English exam to place your language skills.
What is the cost of tuition and fees for each program?: Court Conference Reporting Program: Estimated expenses for incoming students for 2010-2011 are $8,380 for tuition and fees and $750 for books and supplies. Each enrollment agreement covers an academic year of 37.5 weeks. Students are expected to provide their own equipment (computerized steno machine) at an additional cost of $1500 - $1800.
Court Reporter Scoping Program: Estimated expenses for incoming students for 2010-2011 are $7,570 for tuition and fees and $500 for books and supplies. Students are expected to rent a stenowriter for the first 5 months of the program at a cost of $375.