Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) is excited to offer students interested in the legal system the opportunity to pursue a career as a court reporter through its new for-credit online court reporting program.

The Online Court Reporting Credit Pathway will give students the chance to gain either an Occupational Skills Award, Certificate, or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and will be offered beginning fall of 2024.

The Occupational Skills Award will consist of 21 semester credit hours and will provide students with the tools needed to assist current court reporters in producing transcripts and daily copies, rough drafts for courts and depositions.

The Court Reporting Certificate will consist of 42 semester credit hours and will prepare students for the Texas State licensing program to become certified shorthand reporters.

If a student is interested in the opportunity to become their own boss, the Court Reporting AAS is the best option, TVCC Director of Adult and Continuing Education Christie Hicks shared. The AAS, which consists of 60 semester credit hours, will give students the opportunity to get the necessary skills to complete the state licensing exam and become certified. With the certification, individuals can work as a freelance reporter, official court reporter, become a certified real-time caption in the broadcast field and more.

“The need to train 21st-century professionals to work as freelance reporters, official court reporters, broadcast captions, CART captions for the hearing-impaired community, or to go on to become a certified real-time caption working in the broadcasting field is important,” Hicks said. “The career path is endless!”

Annabel Sauceda was the first student, after completing the non-credit program provided by TVCC’s Adult and Continuing Education in 2020, to obtain her Texas state license to become an official court reporter. She shared that the program was both challenging but rewarding.

“The program was intensive and fast-paced requiring a high level of dedication and focus,” she said. “Regular practice was a key component ensuring we would pass speed tests and transcribe our steno to English.  The experience was gratifying as it equipped me with the skill necessary to excel in a crucial role with the legal system.”

She noted that with the program being online it made it easier for her to complete the classwork and hold a full-time job.

“My fellow classmates and myself all loved the idea of going to school while being in the comfort of our home,” she shared.  “The online option provides greater flexibility and accessibility for those students who may have other commitments like we did. Most of us had 8 am to 5 pm full-time jobs. We had evening classes which were a blessing for us to get home, get online and get ready for class. It opens opportunities for a wider range of students to enter this rewarding field, regardless of their location.”

For Sauceda, her interest in becoming a court reporter sparked from watching crime shows.

“Watching crime shows growing up made me realize that I wanted to work in a courtroom,” she said. “I would notice the lady typing and thought, ‘What a cool job!’”

When she heard the news of TVCC offering a class, she knew she had to jump on the opportunity.

“I was so excited to sign up and get started,” she added. “At the time of signing up I had been working in the courthouse for 16 years and was ready to take the Court Reporter path.”

Sauceda shared that one of the great things about the program offered at TVCC is the scholarship opportunities. She received a President’s Scholarship from former TVCC President Dr. Jerry King and tuition reimbursement from Kaufman County Courthouse.

“When I received the President’s scholarship towards becoming a court reporter, I was incredibly honored and excited,” she said. “That scholarship represented a significant opportunity to pursue my career goals without the financial burden and motivated me to excel even further in my studies and future profession. Plus, during Kaufman County Judge Hal Richards term in office, he established a tuition reimbursement program that would help Kaufman County employees with furthering their education in the government field. You just had to apply for this program like you would any scholarship application!”

Executive Director of Texas Court Reporters Association (TCRA) Brooke Ingram shared the importance of court reporters in the legal system.

“Court reporters, also known as guardians of the record because of their impartiality and role within the judicial process, capture the words spoken by everyone during a court or deposition proceeding,” she said. “Court reporters then prepare verbatim transcripts of proceedings. The official record or transcript helps safeguard the legal process. When litigants want to exercise their right to appeal, they will use the transcript to provide an accurate record of what transpired during their case. “

With TVCC offering the court reporting program, Ingram is excited to see the community grow with new court reporters.

“TVCC having a credit pathway for the court reporting program will entice more students to enroll in this wonderful program that leads to a lucrative career,” Ingram said. “We need more court reporters and who better to fill those roles than the people who are already installed in the local community!”

Two great things about a career as a court reporter are the ease of the schedule and the salary, Ingram shared.

“Court reporters earn a higher-than-average salary,” Ingram added. “Whether working in a court setting where a reporter would have county benefits or as a freelancer with the ability to build your own work schedule to fit your life, there is always a bright side to this career!”

Sauceda agreed with Ingram and added “If you think you might be just slightly interested in becoming a court reporter, I will tell you to ‘Go for it.’ This profession is amazing, and you get to work alongside Judges and court staff. The salaries are worth all those late nights practicing on your writer and taking speed tests. Reporters are in high demand, and with diverse opportunities you are not only limited to the courtroom.”

If you are interested in enrolling in TVCC’s Online Court Reporting Credit Pathway, but want more information on the coursework beforehand, the National Court Reporters Association is offering a free introductory program. The four-week program, A to Z Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program, will offer interested individuals the opportunity to discover if a career as a court reporting is right for you. The program is four Thursday evenings starting Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. on the TVCC – Athens Campus and will continue through Aug. 22. For more information, contact Judy Evans at judylrevans@gmail.com.