Legal Transcription: Theory & Practice™ Syllabus
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Legal Transcription: Theory and Practice™
Course Description: Legal Transcription: Theory and Practice™ is a comprehensive training course that implements multimedia content with online learning tools to effectively prepare students to master the art of transcribing legal proceedings from audio or video into text documents for clients in the legal field.
The course is divided into 14 modules, with each module building upon the skills learned and mastered in the preceding module. There are more than 25 audio/video practice dictation files in the course.
Media Used Within the Course:
- Quizzes
- Video Presentations (with Audio)
- Screencast Tutorial Demonstrations
- Practice Dictations with Answer Keys (25+ practice files in 10 levels)
- Online and Email Support Forums
Recommended Equipment:
- Computer and comfortable workspace
- Reliable high-speed Internet access
- Word processing software
- Transcription equipment (course aids students in choosing appropriate equipment for their needs)
Modules and Units
Introduction to Legal Transcription
Students gain an understanding and appreciation for what legal transcription is — and is not — and the skills needed to master the art of transcription.
- Introduction and Welcome!
- Unlocking Success: The Power of Mindset in Achieving Your Dreams
- Process for Submitting Support Requests
- Legal Transcription: Overview
- General Duties of the Legal Transcriptionist
- Cyber Security
Tools of the Trade
Students learn the software and hardware requirements employed by legal transcriptionists and where to get the best equipment at the best price.
- The Right Equipment for the Job
- Typing for Speed and Accuracy (includes typing drills)
- Legal Transcription Style Guide (includes printable guide)
- Comparing Your Transcripts with the Sample Transcripts
- Practice Transcription Exercise
Lawyers Litigate; Transcriptionists Punctuate
Both English and Latin legal terminology definitions and quizzes are included.
- Parts of Speech
- Sentences, Fragments and Run-ons
- Phrases
- Clauses
- Punctuation and Capitalization - General Rules and Guidelines
- Abbreviations, Capitalization, and Punctuation for Legal Transcriptionists
- Legal Terminology
- Spelling
- Transcribing Numbers
- Punctuation Resource Links
More than 80 pages of legal terms and phrases in a downloadable and printable format.
Microsoft Word for Legal Transcriptionists
Students will be able to properly notate transcripts, use shortcuts to increase typing speed and accuracy, and employ spell check and other functions of their word processing software to produce accurate and readable transcripts. Screenshots and video tutorials are included.
- Spell Check, Search and Replace, & Modern Usage Notes
- Shortcut Keys and Text Expanders
- Bonus Lesson: Using AI (Speech-to-Text) Software
Basic Legal Correspondence - Practice Dictation
Students master the transcription of most documents produced by attorneys and other legal professionals.
- Introduction to Transcription in the Law Office
- Transcribing Memos and Letters
- Transcribing EBTs (Examination Before Trial)
- Transcribing Attorney-Client Consultations
- Transcribing Property Deeds
- Legal Transcription Midterm Review
The Legal Process and Court Procedure
Students gain knowledge of the different types of law and how a case moves through the legal process.
- Definition and Descriptions of Types of Law
- Steps in a Civil Case
- Steps in a Criminal Case
- Anatomy of a Court Transcript
Using Forms and Templates
Upon completion of Module 7, students will be familiar with the various legal documents used in judicial proceedings. Downloadable templates are provided.
- Sample Court Templates
- Numbered-Line Blank Pleading Paper (Template and Instructions)
- State & Federal Court Approved Legal Forms
Practice Transcription of Court Proceedings
Students will master transcribing court proceedings with recorded audio practice files.
- Transcription Guidelines for a Court Transcript (Includes Video Tutorial)
- Practice Trial Transcription 1: Opening Statements
- Practice Trial Transcription 2: Trial Q&A Excerpt
- Practice Trial Transcription 3: More Q&A Practice
- Practice Trial Transcription 4: Mock Trial
- Practice Trial Transcription 5: Demurrer
- Practice Appellate Court Hearing
Transcribing Depositions
Students will gain an understanding of the deposition process and will have completed several practice deposition transcription files.
- Guidelines for Transcribing Depositions (Includes Template)
- Deposition Practice 1: Verbatim Testimony
- Deposition Practice 2
Transcribing for Law Enforcement
Students will experience transcribing various types of law enforcement transcripts.
- Intro to Law Enforcement & Practice Transcript 1: Police “Sting” Operation
- Law Enforcement Practice Transcript 2: Police Interrogation
- Law Enforcement Transcription Practice 3: Police 911 Call
Conferences and Legal Association Meetings
Students will master the art of transcribing legal meetings and conferences from recorded video files.
- Overview of Conference Transcription (Video Tutorial)
- Dictation Practice 1: Transcribing Legal Conferences (Video) – Bodily Injury Insurance Case
- Dictation Practice 2: Transcribing Legal Conferences (Video) – Judicial Conference on Human Trafficking
Time Coding for Legal Transcriptionists
Students will be proficient at producing legal documents that include time stamps.
- How to Insert Time Codes into Legal Documents (Includes Video Tutorial)
- Time Coding Practice: Radio Interview
Resource List & Final Exam
Module 13 supplies links to various tools and resources used by the legal transcriptionist, including writing and style guides, dictionaries, and legal and medical resources.
- Legal Transcription Resources
- Final Exam Part 1
- Final Exam Part 2
The final exam tests all of the skills learned in the course. Upon successfully passing the final exam, students will be awarded Certificates of Completion and will move on to learn how to build their legal transcription business.
How to Build a Successful Transcription Business
Module 14 prepares the student for setting up their own home-based legal transcription business or guides them with resources for finding work as a transcriptionist working for larger transcription companies.
- How to Use AI to Increase Productivity
- Income Guidelines and Setting Your Rates
- How to Handle Finances and Taxes When Working as a Freelance Transcriptionist
- Developing a Business Plan
- Marketing and Advertising
- Customer Service Essentials
- Connecting With Clients
- Where to Find Contract Work
- Marketing Plan for California-based Transcriptionists
- Top Business Directories for Local Marketing
- How to Find Clients on YouTube and Podcasts
- Opportunities for Expanding Your Services
- Prepare to Pass the CET Exam
Additional Information
Although the course is available online 24/7 and is self-paced, students should be prepared to spend at least two months to six months, depending on their own schedules and the amount of time they have to devote to study, to complete the course. Certificates are not automatically awarded. The student must demonstrate proficiency in all subject matter covered in the course.
Students receive lifetime access to the course content, the support forum, and all updates to the course curriculum.
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