The US Department of Labor reports that through 2018, court reporting as a profession is expected to grow 18 percent. According to Indeed, the average court reporter in Utah makes $42,000 per year.
Unfortunately, since the Intermountain College of Court Reporting shut down in 2001, there have been no physical schools in Utah licensed to teach court reporting skills, according to the Utah Court Reporters Association (UCRA). However, classes can be taken from different schools online, and four times a year the UCRA presents seminars in Utah for credit.
Bryan College is a private college founded in 1940 with a full Court Reporting Program available online. On its website, Bryan promises instructors with real-world experience, financial aid, and a program accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
As of 2006, The Court Reporting Institute of Dallas launched its online program, where anyone in the United States can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in its 120-week course. They offer several scholarship opportunities.
Looking up court reporting schools online will turn up dozens of colleges and training programs, not all of which are legitimate. Legal news source LawersandSettlements.com reported that in 2007 a lawsuit was filed against the Academy of Court Reporting Inc. for fraud. The lawsuit alleges the Academy falsely claimed it could grant associates degrees and sold students expensive equipment they did not need.
The UCRA's sister organization, the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has a list of accredited schools and training programs on its website.
While it is useful to have an associates degree, it is not necessary if you wish to become a court reporter in Utah. To be a professional, you must pass an examination that tests, among other things, your ability to type at least 225 words per minute and your grasp of the English language. Upon passing, you will be awarded a CSR license. If you fail, you will not be able to work as a court reporter, even with a diploma.
However, schooling is still helpful and advisable; 75 percent of working court reporters in Utah have an associates degree according to ONET.