Explore a College Degree in Court Reporting
At Five Towns College, eager students pursue degrees in film, music, media, and the performing arts. They are focused on creativity, expression, and the art of storytelling.
So, it may be surprising to learn that Five Towns College also offers Court Reporting. Random? Not necessarily. Digital Court Reporting can indeed be creative, and according to Program Coordinator and Instructor, Michelle Houston, its connection to the arts is strong.
“This is a great field for someone who has a good feel for the English language, strong listening skills, and discipline,” says Houston.
It’s a technical field, just like film and TV, but there is also an art to capturing speech accurately in real time.
Currently, the Court Reporting program at Five Towns College is fully online; typically starting at 6 or 6:30 p.m. Certain classes have a combination of lecture and lab, so the duration of the classes will vary throughout the semester.
This summer, open enrollment begins May 13th. Fall 2026 Court Reporting classes are slated to start September 2, and Spring 2027 sessions begin January 20.
What to expect
Are you wondering which type of student is drawn to digital court reporting?
“We see two main types of students,” says Houston. “Brand-new students starting with theory, and transfer students who may have begun elsewhere and are looking to complete their training.”
Theory courses lay the foundation for a career in court reporting, focusing on machine operation and the principles of stenographic writing. From there, students move into speed building. Basically–how fast can you type? (Called: “writing.”
According to Houston, students begin at speeds of 40 to 60 words per minute and gradually work their way up to professional-level speeds of 200 to 225 words per minute. Understandably, reaching 225 words per minute (WPM) requires consistency and persistence.
“If a student doesn’t meet the required exit speed (the minimum words-per-minute) for a class, they repeat it,” explains Houston. “It’s about mastery; this is a skill you have to build.”
What is needed for class
You cannot just use a regular laptop as a digital court reporter. For the Five Towns College program, students train on stenography machines–-specialized keyboards that capture spoken language phonetically at high speed.
Enrolled students must purchase or rent their own machines, often through companies like Stenograph Corp. (This company also sells the software that both students and professional reporters use for computer-assisted transcriptions.) Once you have your own machine for the course, you can use it in the workforce, so it is worth the investment.
Course completion
The Five Towns College Digital Court Reporting program can be completed as either: a 54-credit certificate (best for those who already have a college degree) or a 73-credit Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree, which weaves in general education classes.
Studying court reporting is not easy, but the payoff can be great. According to the NYS Unified Court System website found here: https://www.nycourts.gov/legacyPDFs/careers/statewide/1549.1.pdf), recent graduates who start as Court Reporter-Trainees can enter the field with starting earnings of around $80,000.
Career options abound
According to Houston, court reporters can work within the court system or pursue freelance opportunities, a path that has become increasingly attractive in recent years.
“Freelance work offers flexibility,” says Houston. “It’s especially popular for people who want control over their schedules—parents, for example, or anyone looking for a non-traditional work structure.” You can work from home as a digital court reporter, or even for just a few hours per week in a courtroom, which is also a nice option.
Yes, court reporting is affiliated with courtrooms, but the field has evolved. Today’s professionals, says Houston, work in a variety of settings such as real-time translation, closed-captioning, and accessibility services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
Five Towns College alumni (and staffers, of course) work in “the biz,” so you are in good company as a Court Reporting student. And who knows. . .Hollywood could be your career path! Some court reporters transcribe for judges with reality TV shows, or work on court cases involving celebrities, actor disputes, or movie studio contracts.
Is AI taking over?
“There’s a misconception that artificial intelligence (AI) is going to replace court reporters,” says Houston. “People were saying the same thing back in the 1980s about videographers replacing court reporters, and it did not happen. Instead, the industry adapted.”
Today, software tools incorporate artificial intelligence to assist with transcription, but human expertise remains essential, she states. The role has shifted from paper notes to fully digital, computer-compatible transcripts.
The next steps
Interestingly, in New York, court reporters are not required to be certified. However, Five Towns College’s program is approved by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), ensuring students meet nationally recognized standards.
Graduates are also well-positioned to enter the workforce immediately. The court system offers training programs for new reporters, and Houston states that graduates from the Five Towns College program are eligible for interviews without needing to pass an additional test.
Court Reporting at Five Towns College also has an internship requirement, which allows students to gain real-world experience before graduating.
“Plus, our Court Reporting instructors have worked in the field,” says Houston. “They bring real-world experience into the classroom, which is incredibly valuable for students.”
In-demand business
According to Houston, New York’s demand for court reporters is strong because the field is so niche. Meaning: once you graduate, there is a good chance you will have many interviews. Not just anyone can do court reporting, which makes the field so unique and specialized.
It is a great career choice for recent high school graduates who want to work in the field of law and are tech-savvy. Or if you are a fast typer, great listener, and like the idea of setting your own hours, court reporting may be your brand-new career path!
Click here to request additional information about the Five Towns College Digital Court Reporting program.
