With Florida in the top ten best states to live in, according to US News, court reporting in Miami is an exciting career choice. As an officer of the courts, you’ll enjoy being in high demand with a solid salary. As a career, court reporting is both flexible and varied with constant learning. So, what do you need to invest to actually become a court reporter?
Paying to Train for Court Reporting in Miami
The main requirement for court reporting in Miami is to deliver transcripts accurately and quickly. In order to achieve this, you need to be trained in shorthand note-taking with specialized equipment such as a stenograph machine. You also learn the fundamentals of the legal system as well as typical legal, medical, and industry terminology.
When it comes to court reporting in Miami, your first decision is whether you want to go for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The first one is typically 2 years and the latter is usually up to 4 years. Both will certify you as a court reporter but you’ll get more advanced career opportunities more quickly with a bachelor’s degree.
Another consideration is whether you want to attend the program in person or online. The costs are lower for online courses but you miss out on the chance to develop a network. When you first start working in court reporting in Miami, it’s always useful to have friends to share experiences with.
In terms of schools in Florida, there are a few, including the Sheridan Technical Center which often ranks in the top ten. Miami Dade College and Atlantic Technical College in Coconut Creek, Florida, are also excellent schools for court reporting in Miami.
Overall, you can expect the following costs for your program:
- Associate’s degree
- University degree
- Online course
Associate’s degree
For this two-year course, you’re looking at average fees of around $6,000 per year that go up to about $12,000 depending on your electives and whether you board. Overall, this is a good starting point and you can always convert to a bachelor’s degree if you want at a later date.
University degree
If you decide to go ahead with the more advanced option, you can expect to pay around $25,000 and more per year, depending on the school. For example, some programs might offer costs closer to $20,000 per year but some might be higher again.
Online course
Choosing online is highly convenient and the costs are closer to the associate’s degree option. Essentially, you’ll pay somewhere between $5,000 and $12,000.
Other Costs to Consider for Court Reporting in Miami
Paying the program for court reporting in Miami is one thing. You can’t forget the other extra costs you’ll face though.
Depending on where you are, you might decide to live on campus or stay at home. Either way, you need to pay your living costs and take into account whether you’ll be working part-time or not.
Moreover, you need to buy your technical equipment as well as books and anything else you might need to work effectively. You’ll also be encouraged to become a member of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) and perhaps even the local state one. In Florida, that’s the Florida Court Reporters Association (FCRA).
Currently, FCRA membership costs $250 per year, and NCRA membership $40 per year for students and then $200 per year. It’s worth joining those organizations though because you get access to training to maintain your court reporting in Miami certification. It’s also a great place to network and in the case of FCRA, you get benefits for various activities around Florida.
To summarize, you need to include the following costs:
- Stenograph machine
- Laptop
- Software and accessories
- Books
- License and exam fees
Stenograph machine
Generally, these cost somewhere between $1000 and $2000. Although, you can also rent them at several hundred dollars per term if you prefer.
Laptop
Again, your preferences make a huge difference to the cost of a laptop. You clearly need something that’s both high-speed and good quality to cope with any extra software and multiple programs. So, you’ll be looking at around $2000 as your starting point.
Software and accessories
As a court reporter, you’ll learn to use digital tools and software such as computer-aided transcription (CAT) software. You might also decide you want to work with video and recording devices or microphones and stenomasks. To give you an idea, a stenomask is around $300 and a CAT software license is either around $10 per month or $100 per license.
Books
We all know that the cost of books adds up. Some schools offer financial aid that can help you cover this extra charge or you can perhaps investigate how the library works. Otherwise, you should count at least $500 per year.
License and exam fees
Last but not least, you need to remember to pay for your final exam. This is usually between $100 and $200. Once you pass, you pay for your license which is sometimes included or sometimes extra at another hundred or so dollars.
Parting Words on the Costs for Joining the Ranks of Court Reporting in Miami
Depending on whether you choose an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree, you’re looking at total costs between $20,000 and $60,000. On top of that, you need to include equipment and living costs.
While this might seem high, don’t forget that you’re investing in your future. You might also be able to apply for financial aid. This is a small price to pay for entering a lucrative career that needs more people. You’ll always have a job where no two days are the same. Don’t hesitate and start now to join this esteemed profession.