Scopist Option

  • Program Advising Sheet
  • Scopist Option Blocksheet
  • Return to IRT Options Page

Scopists are hired by court reporters to edit and proofread transcripts while the reporters work in court or take depositions. According to the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), there are an estimated 50,000 court reporters in the United States. Scoping is an ideal career for a person who prefers to work at home and provides flexibility in choosing how many hours you want to work.

The job of the scopist is to edit the stenograph-to-English translation of the trial proceeding recorded by the reporter and check for any mistranslations in order to correct words, such as proper names and any technical terms. A scopist uses specialized reporting software to review, edit and proofread the court transcript that can easily be transferred via online services.

The information reporting technologies program offers distance learning opportunities through Web-based education.

The goal is that graduates will demonstrate the use of good grammar, punctuation and editing skills for transcription preparation and production; communicate clearly and concisely; utilize all information reporting technology; exemplify a high standard of ethics as an information reporting professional and demonstrate employability skills and characteristics as an information reporting professional.

Suggested Course Sequence

For course descriptions visit here.

First Semester		Credit Hours
ENG124	College Composition †	3
IRT131	Legal Terminology	3
AOT130	Communication and Transcription Skills	3
IRT133	Theory for Scopists	4
AOT121	Keyboarding/Formatting	3
BUS101	Business Student Success Seminar	1
		17
Second Semester
BUS123	Business Mathematics	4
BIO125	Medical Terminology	3
ENG230	Business Communication	3
IRT229	Realtime Software Applications (8 wks)	1
BCA120	Business Computer Applications **	4
		15
Third Semester
BUS121	Business Administration	4
BIO101	Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology	3
	Non-technical Track Elective ***	3
IRT231	Judicial Procedures	3
ENT120	Entrepreneurship	2
		15
Fourth Semester
ACC130	Business Law and Ethics	3
ACC121	Principles of Accounting	4
	Social Science Elective *	3
IRT233	Transcription and Editing for Scopists	3
	IRT Technical Elective ****	3/4
		16/17
	TOTAL CREDITS	63/64

* Select PSY121 or SOC121
** Successful completion of AOT102, AOT104, AOT105 and AOT106 is equivalent to and may be substituted for BCA120.
*** Select from PSC121, COM121, BUS222
**** Select from PSC121, ENT121, ENT221

Case Catalyst 4 v.8-10 student version software must be purchased by second semester of this program.

NOTE: Courses may not be offered each semester; students should plan accordingly.