Professional Digital Editor Short-Term Technical Certificate

This program is available at the Online location.

This online 16-week certificate program is a “Shared Program” between Clark State and Stark State Colleges, offering a unique opportunity for providing excellence in teaching and learning. In just 16 short weeks, students develop the requisite skills required to produce the official verbatim transcript of proceedings from digital reporting equipment.

This Professional Digital Editor (PDE) certificate will provide certificate-seeking students the opportunity to train as a professional digital editor using computer-aided transcript (CAT) software to produce verbatim transcripts and enter the vital, exciting, and rewarding IT profession of digital editing.

Clark/Stark students learn the skills of a Professional Digital Editor using simulations produced on cutting-edge digital recording technology and state-of-the-art computer-aided transcription (CAT) software. Students’ skills are perfected through these simulations and assessments of skill. Students are required to complete the capstone certificate course, applying professional digital editing skills to earn their certificate and apply for the professional certification opportunity with the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) and become employed as a Professional Digital Editor.

Explore Careers

Outcomes and Curriculum

Complete billing invoices and expense tracking methods.
Demonstrate knowledge of basic hardware/software care, maintenance, operation, manipulation, security, troubleshooting, and storage of digital editing equipment and digitally recorded files.
Employ knowledge of digital editing in the taking of American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers’ (AAERT) Certified Electronic Transcriber (CET) Certification.
Employ reference tools along with language and grammar skills, application of law and legal terminology, and application of anatomy and/or medical terminology in producing verbatim transcripts
Perform skills in ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, operating practices, differentiating conflicts of interest, and professional decorum in the role of a professional digital editor.
Produce verbatim transcripts from digitally recorded proceedings using computer-aided transcription (CAT) software in accordance with industry standards.

Course	Title	Credits
AOT 130S	Editing, Proofreading, & Language Skills (SS) ^	3
JCR 131S	Legal Terminology (SS)	3
JCR 2200	Realtime Business Procedures	3
JCR 2300	CAT Transcript Production *	2
ITD 102S	Computer Applications - Word (SS) ^	1
MST 1105	Medical Terminology	2
PDE 1402	Digital Editing Concepts & Applications	2
	Total credit hours	16

^Proficiency test available.

*Students with little or no computer background should enroll in ITS 0800 before taking other computer courses. Students without adequate keyboarding skills should enroll in ITS 0810 before taking a computer class.

Academic Preparation

Prospective students should be disciplined, self-motivated, computer literate, and possess above-average language skills. Students should also be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

Questions? We're here to help!

Robyn M. Hennigan, RPR, CRI Senior Technical Professor and Coordinator, Judicial Court Reporting

937.328.8080 henniganr@clarkstate.edu