Welcome To New York Career Institute

New York Career Institute is the only college in New York City that awards an Associate degree in Court Reporting and Paralegal studies. Young men and women making a first-time career choice and adults looking to retrain are offered a unique combination of theory and hands-on training that teaches not only why? but how?, while successfully preparing graduates for immediate employment. Most importantly, a faculty comprised of registered Court Reporters and practicing Attorneys are there to guide students toward careers as Court Reporters and Legal Assistants.

Simply put, Court Reporting (also known as Stenography) is the production of a word-for-word, transcript of the legal proceedings in a courtroom or a deposition. More specifically, the reporter listens and writes shorthand notes on a steno machine and then these notes are translated by computer software into English. The reporter then takes the rough transcript and edits and proofreads it before printing a final transcript. This final transcript then becomes part of the official record for the court and lawyers to use and reference during the trial. By attending NYCI as a Court Reporting student, you will first learn how to break down the English language phonetically and then apply it to the steno machine. At the same time, you will also take classes in English and Grammar, Legal and Medical Terminology, and Courtroom Procedures - just to name a few. Once you've learned the phonetic theory, you will then begin to build speed on the steno machine until you reach a working speed of 225 words per minute. 225 words per minute - sounds fast. Well, it is. But that's why this career in such great demand and why, therefore, there is also the potential for earning a high income. The salaries for Court Reporters in New York are among the highest in the country. New York Career Institute offers an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree as well as certificate programs in Machine Shorthand to individuals who want to become Court, Freelance, Hearing Reporters, or Stenotype Stenographers wishing to specialize in the legal or medical stenotype programs.

Associate Degree (AOS) - Stenotype Court Reporter:

The objective of this program is to prepare the student for an entry-level position as a Court Reporter. Requirements for graduation include passing dictated material at speeds up to 225 words per minute, courtroom internship, and successful completion of a minimum of 72 credit hours.

Certificate - Stenotype Hearing Reporter:

The objective of this program is to prepare the student for an entry-level position as a Stenotype Stenographer. Requirements for certification include passing dictated material at speeds up to 80 words per minute and successful completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours.

The invaluable skill you will learn as a Court Reporter can lead to a career not only in the courtroom or deposition, but also in the field of Broadcast Captioning or CART Reporting. Here's some additional information on the opportunities available:

Court Reporting - Judicial Reporting

This is the largest area of employment for Court Reporters. These reporters take records of court proceedings, depositions, and administrative hearings. The cases may be controversial and highly publicized, like criminal trials, millionaire divorces, government corruption trials, and lawsuits against everyone from movie stars to elected officials to professional athletes.

• The average income for judicial reporters is about $62,000 and the highest paid 10% earn more than $75,000.
• Deposition reporters are typically paid per job and receive a per-page fee for transcripts. How much they earn depends on where they work, how much they work and how fast they can produce the transcripts.
• The salaries and page rates for Court Reporters in New York City are among the highest in the country. Closed / Broadcast Captioning

Those little captions that you see scrolling on TV are actually created by a stenographer with special equipment and a live-feed to a broadcast network. This work can be performed either at a central office or in the comfort of the captioner's home, depending upon the agency.

• The FCC has mandated that by 2006 all new TV programming be captioned, therefore projecting a job growth of 300%.
• Captioners can earn from $35,000 to $75,000 per year or more, depending on experience and the number of hours they work. CART - Communications Access Realtime Reporting These reporters provide specialized services to deaf and hard-of-hearing people. They may attend classes and translate the lectures and classroom discussions into readable text so students with hearing problems can follow and participate. These reporters also provide services for deaf and hard-of-hearing people in churches, weddings, business settings, doctors' offices, and anywhere there is a need for communication access
• CART reporters can earn from $35,000 to $65,000 per year or more, depending on the client, location and the number of hours they work.

Paralegal / Legal Assistant- Paralegals, also known as Legal Assistants, assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training and experience, paralegals have knowledge and expertise regarding the law and legal system which qualify them to perform legal work under the supervision of an attorney. The Paralegal concept began in the late 60's when law firms sought ways to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of legal services. With the push for lower-cost legal fees, paralegals have established themselves as an integral part of the legal system. While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they delegate many of their tasks to paralegals. Today, a Paralegal may perform any function delegated by an attorney, including but not limited to:

• Conduct client interviews and maintain general contact with the client
• Locate and interview witnesses
• Conduct investigations, statistical and documentary research
• Conduct legal research
• Draft legal documents, correspondence and pleadings
• Summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony
• Attend closings, depositions, court or administrative hearings and trials with attorneys

y attending NYCI as a Paralegal / Legal Assistant student, you will immerse yourself in a range of Law classes such as Civil Litigation, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Tort Law. At the same time, you will also take core classes in English and Oral Communications as well as have the opportunity to take a variety of electives which will further prepare you to succeed as a Paralegal. In all cases, the student is also taught to write a well-organized and comprehensive resume to aid in their securing employment. New York Career Institute offers an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree as well as a certificate program in Paralegal Studies.

Associate Degree (AOS) - Paralegal / Legal Assistant:

The objective of this program is to prepare the student for an entry-level position as a Paralegal / Legal Assistant. Successful completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours required for certification. YCI can provide Paralegal graduates with varied types of work opportunities; namely, with large and small law firms, government offices, banks, corporations and courts. The emphasis on hiring Paralegals should continue in both legal and related fields and with over 100 paralegal organizations and over 85,000 paralegals nationwide, it is evident that the profession is projected, according to the Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook, to be one of the fastest growing occupations into the next decade. Here's some additional information on the opportunities available:

Paralegal / Legal Assistant - Small Law Firms:
The Paralegal for the small law firm usually begins at an entry-level position and often stays with the firm for up to two years. By that time, the Paralegal has gained essential experience and skills which typically leads to a desire for a position with greater responsibility and higher salary.

Paralegal / Legal Assistant - Large Law Firms:
The Paralegal for the large law firm generally requires more qualifications and experience than with smaller law firms; however, with that comes a greater salary as well as opportunity for advancement. Large law firms may also offer medical benefits and continuing education assistance.

Paralegal / Legal Assistant - Corporate / Public Legal Service:
Paralegals working for corporations often assist attorneys with employee contracts and benefit plans, shareholder agreements, and stock-option plans. They also may help prepare annual financial reports, maintain corporate minute books, and prepare forms to secure loans for the corporation. Paralegals often monitor and review government regulations to ensure that the corporation is aware of new requirements and operating within the law.

Paralegal / Legal Assistant - Independent Contractor:
The Paralegal acting as an Independent Contractor offers his or her services to an attorney or corporate legal department for an agreed period of time and pay rate. Obviously, the main benefit of being an independent contractor is the ability to work flexible hours according to your own schedule. However, the independent contractor typically receives no medical benefits or paid vacation, and is also responsible for maintaining accurate personal income reports for tax filing purposes.