Legal Transcriptionist   

This course will prepare you for a career as a legal transcriptionist. The legal transcriptionist has the important job of correctly transcribing and punctuating the spoken word in order to create a verbatim record for legal proceedings. This course will also give you an understanding of the legal system including relevant ethics, professional standards, and procedures, and prepare you to sit for and pass the AAERT Certified Electronic Transcriber exam.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course must be taken on a PC. Macs are not compatible.(Most software companies in this industry are PC-friendly. You can use a Mac in this course, but support for Mac-specific questions is not provided.)

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 7 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome is preferred. Mozilla Firefox and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word: Preferably Microsoft Word 2016, 2019, and Office 365, CAT software, or any other word processor. (Only support for MS Word is provided.)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Free Express Scribe software. You will be provided with download instructions upon enrollment.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins, except for the Express Scribe software.
• Reliable Internet

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The supplies required for this course are included in enrollment. The following will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• AltoEdge USB foot pedal
• Transcriber Headphones

The Legal Transcriptionist training course prepares you to enter the in-demand field of legal transcription with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful. As litigation continues to rise nationwide and the technology used to capture testimony evolves, there is a tremendous need for legal transcribers. Most legal transcriptionists work from home on contract or staff for court reporting agencies or court systems, which presents a substantial opportunity for those looking to work remotely in a career with a secure future.

This legal transcription certification course thoroughly prepares you for AAERT's (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers) national certification CET (Certified Electronic Transcriber) exam. The AAERT certification is the leading certification for courts and businesses throughout the United States and is required by various court systems and agencies for employment. From legal fundamentals to creating an accurate legal transcript and more, this course is your key to launching a flourishing career as a legal transcriptionist.

1. Course Introduction
2. The Legal System
1. Courts
2. Laws
3. Life Cycle of a Case
4. Types of Proceedings
5. Types of Court Reporters
6. Litigation Support Services
3. Terminology
1. Historic/Latin Terminology
2. Legal Terminology
3. Medical Terminology
4. Business Terminology
5. Pop Culture, Media, and Political Terminology
4. English Language
1. Parts of Speech
2. Confusing Words
3. Spelling Rules
5. Grammar and Punctuation
1. Capitalization
2. Numbers
3. Intro to Punctuation
4. Sentence Punctuation
5. More Punctuation and Formatting
6. Word, Text Expansion, and Research
1. MS Word for Transcription
2. Text Expansion
3. Researching
7. Software and Annotations
1. Express Scribe & Foot Pedal Setup
2. DR Software Player
3. Annotations
8. Building the Transcript
1. What Gets Transcribed
2. Formatting
3. Parentheticals
4. Transcription Skills
5. Proofreading
9. TAs and Working Environment
1. Transcription Assignments
2. Working Environment
10. TAs and Professionalism
1. Transcription Assignments
2. Professional and Ethics
3. Maintaining Confidentiality
11. Course Wrap-Up and Finals
1. AAERT Certification Information
2. Final Transcription Assignments
3. Final Exam

What you will learn

• How to create an accurate legal transcript
• Master transcript formatting, focusing on federal court systems
• Discover parts of speech, proper legal punctuation, and spelling
• Increase knowledge of legal, medical, and industry terminology
• Understand professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality
• Gain fundamentals of the United States legal system

How you will benefit

• Develop the skills you need to become a successful legal transcriptionist who can work from home
• Successfully prepare to sit for and pass the AAERT's (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers) Certified Electronic Transcriber (CET) exam
• The AAERT certification vastly improves your marketability when applying for work at freelance agencies or court systems, some of which require the certification by law or because of government contracts

Merritt Gilbert

Merritt Gilbert is a legal professional with over 15 years of industry experience. She is a Certified Electronic Reporter (CER), Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR), and holds a Certificate of Voice Writing. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University.

Natalie Hartsfield

Natalie Hartsfield is a court reporter with more than 20 years of experience in the legal field. She has taught court reporting since 2007. Natalie holds an Occupational Associate Degree in Court Reporting from Stenotype Institute and is a Certified Electronic Transcriber (CET).