New VGCC Court Reporting Program is the Only One of its Kind in the State
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VGCC's new Court Reporting program will teach participants a range of skills, including how to use the profession's specialized equipment.
Vance-Granville Community College proudly announces the launch of its new Court Reporting program this spring. When classes begin at the college’s Franklin Campus in March 2024, VGCC will become the only community college in North Carolina offering this fast-paced program.
The court reporting profession plays a critical role in ensuring that legal proceedings are accurately documented for future reference. Using specialized dictation equipment, court reporters produce real-time transcriptions of courtroom proceedings. At the time of publication, there are open reporting positions in North Carolina state courts with annual starting salaries above $45,000 and maximum salaries surpassing $80,000 per year.
Vance-Granville has implemented Court Reporting as a Continuing Education program, meaning that it is designed to be completed by adults who are already in the workforce; participants can successfully complete the training for their new career without the demands of a full-time class schedule. This particular program consists of four courses, each of which typically lasts four to eight weeks:
- Intro to Court Reporting
- Verbatim Transcript Preparation
- Verbatim Voice Writing Method
- Reporting Certification Preparation
Courses require proficiency in English writing, punctuation, and grammar; good hearing; good listening; and the ability to focus and stay focused. According to Instructor Richard Jester, students committed to an accelerated pace could potentially complete the full program in the span of a single semester. Upon completion, students will be prepared to take the career’s national certification test.
At its launch, the new program will only be offered at the VGCC Franklin Campus in Louisburg. Jester anticipates offering portions of the program online in the future.
To learn more about Court Reporting and other career-enhancing programs at Vance-Granville Community College, please contact Lisa Rodwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at rodwelle@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3276. Register for this program today at www.vgcc.edu/coned/oex .
