San Antonio College, one of the colleges comprising the Alamo Community College District, is a publicly supported two-year community college with approximately 22,000 students. The Administrative Computer Technology and Court Reporting Department is located in the Nail Technical Center.
The program offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Computer-Aided-Transcription and two technical certificates: a one-year certificate in Rapid Text Entry and a two-year certificate in Court Reporting.
The program also offers a certificate option in the area of medical transcription.
CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTER EXAMINATION
Texas state law requires that shorthand reporters be certified in order to work in the courts or as freelance deposition reporters. The CSR examination is administered four times a year in Austin under the auspices of the Court Reporters Certification Board. The examination consists of a multiple-choice test covering the areas of medical and legal terminology, courtroom and deposition procedures, English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and the Texas statutes governing court reporters.
The second part of the examination consists of machine shorthand writing of three segments of dictation which are subsequently transcribed by typewriter or computer. The dictation is in three parts: literary material at 180 words per minute for five minutes, instructions to the jury at 200 words for five minutes, and two-voice testimony at 225 words per minute for five minutes. Transcription time is three hours, with accuracy in transcription of at least 95%.
WHAT SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE ARE REQUIRED TO BE A COURT REPORTER?
The most important skills include manual dexterity, typing and word processing skills, a good understanding of English grammar and writing, good listening skills, excellent hearing, a wide-ranging vocabulary, and patience in dealing with fine details.
SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE FACILITIES IN THE COURT REPORTING AREA
The program offers two fully equipped and up-to-date computer laboratories for students. Students begin computer-aided realtime writing from the beginning machine shorthand class. Students learn a computer-compatible machine shorthand theory that is approved by the National Court Reporters Association. In addition to four levels of computer-aided transcription classes, students complete a 48-hour internship, which includes preparing a 40-page multi-voice transcript using CAT technology.
SEMINARS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Administrative Computer Technology and Court Reporting faculty members host information seminars to familiarize interested persons with all of the programs offered by the department. The seminars are scheduled at 2:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Seminars are held in Room 214, Nail Technical Center. Prospective students are encouraged to call the department (733-2294) for further information regarding the seminars.
ADMISSION
High school graduates should submit an official transcript stating the graduation date, along with copies of any college entrance test scores, to the Office of Admissions and Records at San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78212-4299. Non-high school graduates who are 18 years of age or older are encouraged to discuss admission with a counselor. Anyone interested in discussing admission and financial aid may call 733-2300 or may visit the Counseling Center, located in the Moody Learning Center on the San Antonio College campus. Counselors also can respond to questions regarding testing and course placement.
