Canadian Centre for Verbatim Studies (CCVS), Toronto:
The Canadian Centre for Verbatim Studies (CCVS) is Canada’s only college specializing in the training of Court Reporters and Broadcast Captioners. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, just two blocks south of Canada’s vibrant Yonge & Bloor intersection, CCVS is the nation’s first school of its kind. We offer both in-class programs (full & part-time) and online courses which meet rigorous National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) standards. At CCVS, our teachers provide students with one-on-one instruction and provide access to the latest technology available in the field of Court Reporting.
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CCVS’s study options include:
Full-time, In-Class Court Reporting Diploma Program (2 yrs.)
The full-time program features 20 hours a week of instructor-led class time, and a 50-hour internship at the end of the program which involves students participating in a one-on-one apprenticeship with an experienced court reporter, on the job.
Hybrid Court Reporting Diploma Program (2 yrs. min.)
This program features instructor-led class time on two evenings per week and the same internship opportunity as the full-time program, making it optimal for individuals who can't commute to the school regularly.
Online Court Reporting Diploma Program (2 yrs. min.)
The online program is fully approved and features intructor-driven e-learning, making it possible for you to study from anywhere in the world. Full-time online students enjoy the same internship opportunity as in-class learners.
Professional Development & Individual Courses (ongoing)
Professional development and individual module courses are offered on an approximate monthly basis. If you're interested in supplementing or upgrading your skills, this study option may be for you.
All CCVS study options can be explained in detail by one of our dedicated staff members. Contact us for more information by completing the form on our Contact Page.
Individual Course Catalogue
Phoenix Realtime St
eno-Machine Theory
FNX100: Phoenix Realtime Steno-Machine Theory (352 hours, 4 credits)
Phoenix Theory is a rigorous and complete system for mastering shorthand reporting on a stenotype machine and a foundation for reaching realtime speeds with near perfect accuracy. Students progress through a self-directed and teacher supervised series of computer based lessons that flows organically from basic to advanced theory. Based on statistical evidence, by having the theory portion of court reporting classroom based with an instructor present, students have a significantly improved likelihood of successfully completing the program. Theory instruction also includes the use of electronic media and realtime technology (Case Catalyst).
English For Court Reporters
ENG100: English For Court Reporters (208 hours, 2.25 credits)
Course work provides the comprehensive study and practice of writing mechanics—punctuation, paragraphing, capitalization and spelling—which are vital components to the clear and accurate production of professional transcripts. Students will also review and learn the rules of grammar, usage and sentence structure. A cornerstone of class work will be vocabulary development, which will include activities and exercises through which students will develop their spelling and vocabulary skills. Students shall be able to demonstrate ability to apply the rules of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization to sentences, paragraphs, and transcripts through systematic testing and/or projects.
Speed Building
SBD200: Speed Building (768 hours, 8 credits)
Speed Building is the practice of shorthand theory to develop speed while maintaining high accuracy when transcribing. Speed Building shall include testing at incremental speeds on unfamiliar material. Activities also include the read-back and analysis of short hand notes, as well as practice drills and dictation (live, online, or by electronic media) for 2-voice and multi-voice testimony (including medical, technical, literary and jury charge). Lastly, a technology component is integrated into the course to help students become familiar with different parts and styles of the transcript as well as software functions for proper transcript formatting and dictionary building and usage. Students must demonstrate their technological abilities through an assessment 
activity.
Court Reporting Procedures
CRP100: Court Reporting Procedures (64 hours, 1.0 credits)
Classroom simulations of legal proceedings to enable students to exhibit the conduct and ethics required in the working world including the following: Administering an oath/affirmation; Marking and handling exhibits; Exercising responsibility for reporting the proceeding; Indexing and storing notes; Interrupting the speaker; obtaining spellings of proper names; identifying multiply speakers; handling off-the-record discussions; indicating non-verbal actions; certifying questions; reporting interpreted proceedings; and handling, reading, and signing examinations for discovery. Students will combine their shorthand and transcription skills in the preparation of accurate transcripts using computer aided transcription (CAT). Maintenance of efficient CAT habits will be emphasized. Students will be required to produce a ten-page transcript on a CAT system.
Introduction to Canadian Law
LAW100: Introduction to Canadian Law (64 hours, 1.0 credits)
Introduction to the concept of law as a social institution. With the use of live simulations, the student will be familiarized with all aspects of the courtroom as it relates to the participants, including the court reporter. Overview of all aspects of law including legal terminology.
Current Events
CEV100: Current Events (44 hours, 0.5 credits)
This course includes coverage of local events, national events, international events, local and regional geography. Students shall be able to demonstrate understanding of current events through quizzes, and/or dictation.
Legal and Medical Terminology
LMT200: Legal and Medical Terminology (32 hours, 0.5 credits)
This course introduces technical language that court reporters encounter in the field such as medical and pharmaceutical terms used by expert witnesses as well as common business and legal terminology such as that encountered in examinations for discovery, the drafting of contracts, criminal and civil law, and hearings and arbitrations. Students shall be able to demonstrate an understanding and application of law, legal terminology, anatomy and medical terminology.
Computer Aided Transcription
CAT100: Computer Aided Transcription (64 hours, 0.5 credits)
Students will learn how to set up and operate realtime related hardware, read in steno files, research and prepare for writing realtime, translate files against their Personal Dictionary, and edit their transcripts. A major portion of the course will be spent editing transcript files, and learning the most efficient methods to produce the same result. Students will learn advanced features, such as how to create page layouts indexes, "include" files, and print full and compressed versions of transcripts. Students receive instruction in writing the spoken word with punctuation by means of Phoenix Theory. Students will also receive overviews in the reporter's role in CART (equipment setup, hardware and software), broadcast captioning (and consumer expectations for both) and Videotaping (including video equipment in trials and NCRA's Video Specialist Program.
Steno-Machine Shorthand Dictation
DCT200: Steno-Machine Shorthand Dic
tation (128 hours, 1.0 credits)
This course develops students' comfort, familiarity, speed and accuracy on a stenotype machine by executing live dictation exercises. The instructor reads from a variety of source material and will vary the source sound--i.e. play live radio, have other students read or speak for dictation--so that students may become accustomed to different voices or writing shorthand for multiple speakers. Dictation shall include (live, online, or by electronic media), but not be limited to, two-voice and multi-voice testimony (including medical and technical material), literary, jury charge, and current events. Students also have an opportunity to read and proofread their shorthand notes at the end of each session and can compare notes with other students, which further hones their reporting skills.
Tools for Success
TFS:100: Tools For Success (32 hours, 0.5 credits)
The purpose of this course is to prepare students for success in school, at work and in personal life by focusing on intangible yet invaluable knowledge and skills. Perseverance, a positive mindset, goal setting, habit restructuring, and a focus on personal growth and health are not only taught and discussed in this course, but students are given the tools and training necessary to manifest these ends. Topics also include the development of pragmatic skills such as note taking, problem solving, time management, approaches to studying, and team work.
Professional Development
PRO200: Professional Development (16 hours, 0.25 credits)
This course prepares students for a professional working environment. Topics explored include effective resume and cover letter writing content, format and techniques as well as appropriate attire, communication skills, professional conduct and development of portfolio. Students will review the role of the realtime reporter in proceedings: speaker identification; and realtime transcript, composition, and formatting. Reviewed also will be litigation support in the judicial environment: an overview of the reporter's role in providing litigation support; an overview of hardware and software, including ASCII, RTF and MSWord files.
Practicum
PRT300: Practicum (50 hours, credits N/A)
The practicum offers students an opportunity to gain experience and knowledge through observation of the working reporter in the judicial and educational environment by work one-on-one with an experienced court reporter
to obtain first hand experience in the field. Reporters will direct, instruct and inform students as they experience life as a working court reporter. Experience gained during practicum will include helping the production department with preparing transcripts to be sent to clients, reviewing software systems, attending CART jobs, and attending examinations for discovery. Students must achieve shorthand speeds in excess of 180 wpm testimony to qualify for practicum training. Students will participate by writing in actual situations relating to freelance, courtroom, and the realtime environments.
For further information on any of the courses listed above, please contact us by completing the form on our Contact Page.
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