Distance Learning: Legal Transcription Schools

A legal transcriptionist transcribes oral procedures like depositions and other court proceedings and puts them in written form. They do work other than strictly legal transcription, as well, such as drafting legal documents about pleadings and discovery, perform legal research, and revise previously transcribed documents. They work for legal representatives but also large corporations, banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, and the government. They may work in business or courtroom settings, but more and more are working from home. Now you can even attend legal transcription school through distance learning schools.

Penn Foster

Penn Foster offers a distance learning program in legal transcription that teaches students the terminology needed to work in this industry, the history and basic format of legal proceedings, preparation procedures of legal documentation, utilization of legal libraries, word processing programs, grammar, and time management techniques. The program is made up of eight courses. Students take one at a time, receiving all materials by mail upon enrollment in the program. Once they pass the exam for a class, they may move on to the next. As of early 2011, the cost for the school is just under $1300, and the school accepts payment plans.

U.S. Career Institute

Another school with a distance learning legal transcription certificate program is the U.S. Career Institute. Their online program is made up of 28 lessons covering the duties of a legal transcriptionist, research, terminology, grammar and mechanics, court proceedings, stenography, and basic transcription techniques. The program culminates with real-life transcription experience. The school costs just under $900 with interest-free payment plans as low as $39/month. A big plus is the school's money-back guarantee.

Westwood College

Other schools like Westwood College offer a distance learning program with a broader base than just legal transcription. Westwood's legal transcription courses are part of the paralegal program offered online. Students learn about legal researching, basic law, business and criminal law for paralegals, ethics, wills and probate, and interviewing techniques. Since it is a more involved program than the certificate offered by these other schools, a full paralegal degree, the cost for the schooling is higher-almost $30,000-and basic education courses like college composition and math are required as part of the program.

Ashworth School

Ashworth offers students a distance learning option in paralegal studies rather than the more specific legal transcription, as well, a somewhat middle ground among these other options. Introductory legal courses are required followed by a choice of electives including civil law, family practice, legal researching, wills and probate, criminal procedure, tort law, and law office management. This program runs just one semester, 15 credit hours, and costs about $1850, which includes all books and other supplementary materials. This school also offers payment programs under $50/month, interest-free.

References

"Legal Transcriptionist." Penn Foster. Pennfoster.edu.

"Legal Transcription." US Career Institute. Uscareerinstitute.com.

"Paralegal." Westwood College. Westwood.edu.

"Paralegal Studies." Ashworth College. Ashworthcollege.edu.