LSCO Highlights Court Reporting Program During National Awareness Week
February 9, 2026
ORANGE, TX – Lamar State College Orange (LSCO)is highlighting its court reporting program during National Court Reporting and Captioning Week, recognizing the profession’s role in the justice system and growing demand for skilled court reporters and captioners. The program, launched in the fall of 2022, prepares students for careers that require precision, accuracy and advanced technical skills.
Court reporters create verbatim records of legal proceedings, including trials, hearings and depositions. Beyond the courtroom, graduates can pursue careers in captioning for television, movies, live sporting events, music festivals and award shows, as well as providing real-time transcription services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
“It’s a skill-based, technical program,” said Cristy Smith, program director. “Every word matters, and grammar and punctuation can make a difference. Accuracy is critical in this field, and our students are trained to meet that standard.”
Smith said National Court Reporting and Captioning Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the profession at a time when many court reporters are nearing retirement. The resulting shortage has created strong job prospects statewide and nationwide, with positions often remaining open for extended periods.
The program is fully online and asynchronous, allowing students to balance coursework with work and family responsibilities. Weekly virtual labs provide instructor support and opportunities for collaboration, helping students remain accountable in a skill-based learning environment.
“This program has helped me grow both personally and professionally,” said Shelby Sweeney, a student. “Learning stenography really clicked for me, and seeing the progress higher words per minute showed me what perseverance can do. It’s challenging, but the support and accountability from the instructors make a real difference.”
Baylee Richards, an adjunct instructor and former student in the program, said her recent experience allows her to better support students as they work through the program’s challenges. “Knowing the challenges our students face helps me guide them through the process,” Richards said. “The program is constantly evolving, and we are always looking for ways to better support our students.”
Students train to reach speeds exceeding 225 words per minute as they prepare for state certification exams. LSCO also offers equipment rental options to reduce upfront costs for students entering the program.
Prospective students interested in exploring the profession can begin with free introductory courses such as Project Steno and the A to Z program, which offer an overview of court reporting before committing to a degree program.