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Online court reporting schools teach students how to capture live dialogue in court proceedings or depositions, all without stepping foot on a college campus. Some states require court reporters to pass the Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) exam or Certified Court Reporter (CCR) exams before making money while others have no requirements.
The best online court reporting schools are those with accreditation or a track record for preparing students to pass National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) or state exams. Most reputable programs also offer certification or a degree upon graduating.
Best Online Court Reporting Schools of 2022
- Best Overall: PAF Training Programs
- Best Value: Mark Kislingbury Academy
- Best Self-Paced Program: Auburn University
- Best Live Program: College of Court Reporting
- Best NCRA Approved Program: SUNY Alfred State College
- Best for an Associates Degree: Cuyahoga Community College
- Best Accredited School: Clark State
Best Overall : PAF Training Programs
While not NCRA-approved, PAF Training Programs is a Project Steno-approved program that teaches you everything you need to pass your state exams.
Affordable monthly payments
Scholarship available
Its web design is ancient
Steno machine not included in tuition
PAF Training Programs offers a free, six-week Basic Training program to help you get started on your court reporting journey. Once you’ve completed it, you’re automatically eligible for up to $150 per month of tuition assistance through Project Steno, an organization created to help students graduate and get a job as a stenographic reporter.
If you’ve completed PAF’s Basic Training program, you’ll pay just $6,000 instead of $7,200. If you qualify for a scholarship, you’ll only pay $4,700. Scholarship requirements or qualifications aren’t listed online, so you’ll need to contact the school for details. Upon enrollment, you’re assigned a mentor and personal coach to help track your progress and keep you on a path toward success.
PAF’s curriculum includes machine shorthand theory, speed building, transcript production, legal and medical terminology, ethics, and an internship.
Best Value : Mark Kislingbury Academy
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Mark Kislingbury Academy
- Cost of Tuition: $12,000
- Format: Live, in-person, or on-demand
- Accreditation: No
Mark Kislingbury Academy of Court Reporting offers one of the most flexible payment plans, scholarships, and is Project Steno-Approved. Students also have the option to attend live, online on-demand, or in-person.
Eligible for a $1,000 Merit Award from Project Steno
Offers need-based scholarships
Cannot use a Mac or netbook
Doesn’t participate in FAFSA
While Mark Kislingbury Academy of Court Reporting isn’t accredited, it is recognized by Texas Workforce Commission as a vocational college. Your court reporting course costs $500 per month if you’re brand new to court reporting. If you’re a transfer student who has spent more than $10,000 at another court reporting school, you only pay $300 per month. The school also offers scholarships on a case-by-case needs basis.
Most students spend four hours per day, five days per week in class and working on homework, and four hours on the weekend on additional homework. Estimated completion is approximately 24 months, but can be quicker if you attend full-time. The curriculum includes English terminology, theory, medical terminology, speed building, punctuation, and an internship.
Best Self-Paced Program : Auburn University
Auburn University offers an affordable, self-paced program with a Court Reporting Certificate and a 100% employment guarantee.
One of the most affordable school options
Prepares students for state CSR and national RPR exams
Steno equipment not included in tuition
Can’t use a Mac for second half of training
While not officially accredited by NCRA, the Court Reporting at Home program is offered by Auburn University, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. When completing the at-home program, you’re fully prepared to pass any state exams or the national RPR examination and will receive a Certificate from Auburn University.
You only need a high school diploma or GED to enroll, and it takes approximately 18 months to complete this program. Tuition is $7,549 when training with a new Luminex CSE steno machine. If you complete your training without a steno machine, your tuition is $6,049. This is because when using a steno machine, you need a CRAH Program License Agreement which is covered by your tuition.
Auburn University’s course teaches learning theory, building speed on the steno machine, computer-aided transcription, academics, and certification preparation. Students will also complete an internship during their program duration. Materials are shipped to your home.
Best Live Program : College of Court Reporting
With the College of Court Reporting’s certificate program, you have an incredible amount of flexibility in your schedule because you meet with your teacher and other students just once per week for an hour. You can also listen to the recordings of the classes.
Can transfer credits from some programs
Lifetime job placement assistance
For-profit college
Steno equipment not included in tuition
The College of Court Reporting was the first online program approved by NCRA. It is also accredited by the Indiana Board for Proprietary Education (BPE) and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Each credit hour costs $375 with 55 credit hours required to earn your Certificate in Court Reporting. To enroll, you must have a high school diploma or GED and pay a $50 registration fee.
Classes include Advanced Communications, Communications, Advanced Transcript Production, Court Reporting English, Court Reporting Processes and Development, Courtroom/Court Reporting Practicum, CSR/RPR Preparation, Introduction to Realtime Technology, Personal Finance, and Technology I.
Most students complete their program in 75 weeks and are given a maximum of 120 weeks to finish. In addition to weekly, one-hour live sessions, students can view the class recordings online at their convenience. Additionally, those taking speed-building courses can attend an additional 18 hours of live or recorded weekly classes.
Best NCRA Approved Program : SUNY Alfred State College
Earn your Court Reporting certificate with Alfred State College’s NCRA-approved program in just four semesters.
Only 43 credit hours to earn your certificate
In-state and out-of-state online tuition is the same
Can’t use a Mac
Does not accept IEP certificate/diploma students without a TASC or GED exam
All of Alfred State College’s court reporting classes are held live online. The program is two years long and costs $7,567 per year. Alfred State College’s curriculum includes real-time writing theory, grammar, computer-aided transcription, speed building, internship, medical terminology, and legal terminology. A notable class that many other programs don’t offer is personal dictionary production and maintenance.
Alfred State College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. To enroll, you can use the Common App, which tracks your entire college application from start to finish. You can also sign up for a payment plan and this program is Project Steno-approved.
Best for an Associates Degree : Cuyahoga Community College
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Cuyahoga Community College
- Cost of Tuition: $9,541 (Ohio residents), $18,316 (non-residents)
- Format: Live
- Accreditation: Yes
Cuyahoga Community College offers two different associate degree tracks: Steno Machine Writing and Voice Writing. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is NCRA-approved.
Project Steno-approved
Offers financial aid, grants, and scholarships
Non-residents pay much more than Ohio residents
Stenotype machine incentive only available to on-campus students
No matter which associate’s degree track you choose, Steno Machine Writing or Voice Writing, each program takes two years and costs $9,541 if you’re an Ohio resident. If you live in Cuyahoga County, your tuition is just $7,650.56. Students living outside of Ohio pay $18,316 in total. There are no application or registration fees, and you will know the status of your application within three to five business days.
The live curriculum includes real-time theory, court procedures, college composition, medical terminology, ethics, introduction to humanities, speed building, internship, and communications. Some electives don’t directly relate to court reporting, like Literary Writing or Sociology of Gender, but these courses can help you deal with difficult court assignments.
Best Accredited School : Clark State
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Clark State
- Cost of Tuition: $10,746 (Ohio residents), $19,672.90 (non-residents)
- Format: Live
- Accreditation: Yes
Clark State offers an Associate of Applied Business degree in Judicial Court Reporting in conjunction with Stark State College which’s NCRA-approved. Both colleges are also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Includes a 75-hour internship
Graduates earn an associates degree, not a certificate
Some required courses aren’t directly related to court reporting
Must take a social/behavioral science elective
If you’re an Ohio resident, you qualify for in-state tuition and only pay approximately $10,746 (165.33 x 65 credit hours). If you’re out of state, you pay approximately $19,672.90 ($302.66 x 65 credit hours). Attending full-time, you can complete Clark State’s program in five terms.
If you transfer credits in, you may be able to complete this program in a shorter timeframe. Similarly, if you don’t want to attend full-time, it will take you longer than five terms to complete your studies. Classes are held live.
You must have your high school diploma or GED to enroll. Classes include Realtime Theory I and II, Legal Terminology, Medical Terminology, Ethics, CAT Transcript Production, and Business Communication.
Final Verdict
Online court reporting schools offer a great way for students to earn a degree or certification on their terms. Many programs offer day and evening classes, and others are completely on-demand, so students can learn at their own pace.
We recommend PAF Training Programs because of its affordability and reputation for helping students pass their NCRA exams. Plus, it’s Steno Project-approved.
Compare the Best Online Court Reporting Schools
Company | Program Format | Cost of Tuition | Duration | Accreditation | Admission Requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAF Training Programs Best Overall |
Live and on-demand | $7,200 | 2 years | No | None |
Mark Kislingsbury Academy
Best Value |
Live, in-person, or on-demand | $12,000 | 2 years | No | $75 registration fee |
Auburn University
Best Self-Paced Program |
Self-paced | $7,549 | 18 months | No | High school diploma or GED |
College of Court Reporting
Best Live Program |
Live | $20,625 | 75 weeks | Yes | High school diploma or GED; $50 registration fee |
SUNY Alfred State College
Best NCRA Approved Program |
Live | $15,134 | 2 years | Yes | High school diploma or GED |
Cuyahoga Community College
Best for an Associates Degree |
Live | $9,541 (Ohio residents); $18,316 (non-residents) | 2 years | Yes | High school diploma or GED |
Clark State
Best Accredited School |
Live | $10,746 (Ohio residents); $19,672.90 (non-residents) |
18 months | Yes | High school diploma or GED; $15 application fee |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Worth Attending Online Court Reporting School?
While not every state requires you to have a certification or degree to become a court reporter, attending an online court reporting school will teach you the skills you’ll need to succeed. Many schools also offer financial aid, payment plans, and scholarships.
If you can find a college or university in your state offering a court reporting degree or certification online, you may even qualify for in-state tuition rates. This is often half the cost of out-of-state tuition.
An online program offers flexibility compared to on-campus programs. Online classes often include daytime or evening options. Many of these programs have internships and provide job placement assistance. The average national annual median salary is just shy of $62,000 for court reporters.
What Prior Education Is Needed to Attend Online Court Reporting School?
Most online court reporting schools require students to have either a high school diploma or a GED (or equivalent). If you’re applying for a degree program at a college or university, you will also usually need to submit your high school transcripts and test scores.
While not required, some programs suggest students know basic algebra and spelling as well as communication skills before enrolling in a court reporting school. There are free basic training courses that can help give you an advanced start, such as the six-week Basic Training course offered by PAF Training Programs.
What Is the Duration of an Online Court Reporting School Program?
The duration of your online court reporting school is typically around two years. If it’s a self-paced program, you may get done much faster than other students if you dedicate full-time to your studies. It’s not unusual to see students complete their program in 18 to 30 months. This timeframe includes internships offered by most online court reporting schools.
Methodology
We evaluated 19 different online court reporting schools and narrowed them down to the best options based on costs, accreditation, certification, degrees offered, NCRA approval, and company reputation. Program duration, company reputation, and student experience as well as student reviews and the quality of training also weighed heavily in our rankings.
Each of our picks also offers either accreditation, certification, or Steno Project approval. Reasonable prices and reputation are cornerstones of our picks, and most also provide internships and job placement assistance.