Arlington Career Institute’s Court Reporting Steno Machine Program is an online program only and offers the freedom and flexibility gained through online learning.
A steno machine court reporter uses the steno machine to document all statements made in official proceedings. This machine allows the reporter to press multiple keys at one time to record combinations of letters that represent sounds, words, or phrases. The words are then translated into English by computer-aided transcription software.
The Court Reporting Steno Machine Program at Arlington Career Institute will prepare you for a career as a court reporter, closed captionist, CART provider (Communications Access Realtime Translation), or official judicial reporter.
Arlington Career Institute’s comprehensive program trains you in courtroom and deposition procedures, computer-aided transcription, word processing, closed captioning, and realtime reporting.
Click here for the program description and outline of our Court Reporting Steno Machine Program.
Students may enroll in the online program. Completion time expectations are the same whatever delivery method is chosen.
| Subject | Course Number | Theory Contact / Lab Hours | Quarter Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Shorthand Theory I A | CR 100 | 80 / 160 | 16 |
| Machine Shorthand Theory I B | CR101 | 80 / 160 | 16 |
| Machine Shorthand Theory II | CR102 | 80 / 160 | 16 |
| English / Vocabulary | CR110 | 60 / 0 | 6 |
| Court Reporting English | CR120 | 90 / 0 | 9 |
| Introduction to Law and Legal Terminology | CR130 | 60 / 0 | 6 |
| Medical Terminology | MA140 | 60 / 0 | 6 |
| Court Reporting Procedures II | CR141 | 5 / 55 | 3 |
| Court Reporting Externship | CR142 | 0 / 50 | 1.5 |
| Computer-Aided Transcription | CR143 | 20 / 30 | 3.5 |
| Proofreading | CR144 | 55 / 0 | 5.5 |
| Anatomy / Physiology | CR150 | 60 / 0 | 6 |
| Court Reporting Procedures I | CR160 | 60 / 0 | 6 |
| Court Reporting Procedures II | CR161 | 5 / 55 | 3 |
| CSR Written Exam Preparation | CR165 | 60 / 0 | 6 |
| Machine Shorthand II | CR200 | 110 / 20 | 12 |
| Criminal Law | CR208 | 55 / 0 | 5.5 |
| Machine Shorthand III A | CR300 | 230 / 25 | 24 |
| Business Law | CR300B | 55 / 0 | 5.5 |
| Machine Shorthand III B | CR301 | 230 / 25 | 24 |
| Machine Shorthand IV | CR400 | 465 / 20 | 47.5 |
| Machine Shorthand V/ Texas CSR Performance Exam Preparation | CR401 | 465 / 20 | 47.5 |
| Realtime Technologies | CR402 | 55 / 0 | 5.5 |
| Subtotals | 2435/675 | 278 |
ACI 2026 Internet & Computer Requirements for the Steno Machine Program
A DSL or a cable broadband internet connection is required at student’s home. (Students may not rely on an internet connection somewhere other than in the home where they reside.)
These devices are NOT compatible. Court Reporting software cannot be installed on these devices:
THESE COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS ARE REQUIRED:
WINDOWS 11
NOTE: Windows 10 reached its End of Support on October 14, 2025. The compatibility of Case CATalyst on Windows 10 is not guaranteed after that date. Update your computer to Windows 11 to maintain compatibility.
For information about CATalyst on MAC computers, click here.
Computer Processor
Intel Core 5 or 7, Intel Ultra 5, 7, or 9, or AMD Ryzen 5, 7, or 9 processor.
NOTE: There is a processor type called an ARM Processor. This processor is commonly found on Microsoft Surface Pro (Snapdragon processor) and newer MacBook (M processor) computers. This processor is not compatible with CATalyst due to driver incompatibility. Please be aware of what processor is on the computer before purchasing.
RAM
8 GB of RAM or more.
Hard Drive
256 GB hard drive or larger.
Ports
At least two USB ports.
Computer Processor (CPU)
RAM (Memory)
Hard Drive
Video Card
Display
Audio Card
Microphone
Ports
Optional Equipment: A Windows compatible mouse or other pointing device
Microsoft Word is needed.
If purchasing a computer for school, make sure it has a return or exchange policy in case incompatibilities arise.
“I could not have better things to say about this school. This is my third court reporting school, and I absolutely LOVE it! It has a much more personal and family feel to it. It's a smaller school, so everyone actually knows everyone, and the staff and the teachers really care about the students and making sure the students succeed. I am almost done with my studies here, and I will miss this place so much! I know I have succeeded because of this school, and if you are thinking about getting back into school, or into school for the first time, I highly recommend giving Arlington Career Institute a call.”
“I absolutely love my school. I feel like the instructors truly care and want to see us succeed when we leave. I am in the court reporting program and have a long ways to go but I have had to take academics with teachers from other programs, medical and paralegal. I have made many friendships that I know will last forever! If you want to go to school in a specific field and do not want to have to take a bunch of prerequisites I HIGHLY recommend giving ACI a shot!”
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