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Legal transcriptionist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a legal transcriptionist. Legal transcriptionists usually study business, health care administration, or legal support services. 37% of legal transcriptionists hold a bachelor's degree, and 34% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 641 real legal transcriptionist resumes to see exactly what legal transcriptionist education sections show.
The most common colleges for legal transcriptionists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online legal transcriptionist courses to help get the education required to be a legal transcriptionist.
There are certain legal transcriptionist certifications that you should consider. These legal transcriptionist certifications include Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) and Certified Paralegal/Certified Legal Assistant (CP/CLA).
What education do you need to become a legal transcriptionist?
What degree do you need to be a legal transcriptionist?
- Bachelor's, 37%
- Associate, 34%
- High School Diploma, 12%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 12%
What should I major in to become a legal transcriptionist?
- Business, 20%
- General Studies, 6%
- Other Majors, 50%
Most common colleges for legal transcriptionists
| Legal transcriptionist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 8.00% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.00% |
| Temple University | 6.00% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 6.00% |
| University of West Georgia | 6.00% |
Best majors for legal transcriptionists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 19.8% |
| 2 | Health Care Administration | 11.9% |
| 3 | Legal Support Services | 11.6% |
| 4 | General Studies | 6.1% |
| 5 | Criminal Justice | 5.8% |
Best colleges for legal transcriptionists
The best colleges for legal transcriptionists are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
A legal transcriptionist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for legal transcriptionists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become legal transcriptionists.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Ball State University
Muncie, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,896
Enrollment
15,529
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. Maria College of Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$15,140
Enrollment
876
8. Webster University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$27,900
Enrollment
2,958
9. Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$39,216
Enrollment
1,303
10. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
20 best online courses for legal transcriptionists
Advertising disclosure
1. Legal Tech and the Digital Transformation of Law
The digital revolution changed the way we communicate and trade. Now, it is coming into the world of law. This program will give you a broad overview of the main trends that are affecting the legal industry: - The birth of the legal tech market and the application of technology in law. - The role of artificial intelligence in the automation of the work of lawyers. - Blockchain technology and its impact on the way we sign and execute contracts. - Initiatives to ensure access to justice through...
2. Artificial Intelligence and legal issues
The purpose of the course is to help students understand the legal implications related to the design and use of artificial intelligence systems, providing an overview of the risks and legal protections that can be envisaged and giving an overview of the legislation and legal principles currently applicable on the subject. In particular, the profiles of civil and criminal liability, protection in terms of intellectual property and the impacts of AI on the fundamental rights of the individual -...
3. Legal English
Legal language and communication skills...
4. Effective Legal Office Administration
Effective Legal Office Administration...
5. Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
By its nature, the law touches on many aspects of entrepreneurship, making it an applicable and versatile topic of study. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it's important to understand how to form the business, work with the initial customers, and hire. For active entrepreneurs, there are critical considerations on employment law, operating policies, and managing contracts. For everyone, the role that the law plays in managing the company, and its associated risks, must be properly understood to...
6. Helping Families Avoid Negative Court Involvement Teach-Out
This course will teach learners how to understand when issues can become legal issues, encourage learners to recognize legal problems early, identify possible “legal soft spots” in their own situations, and act when issues are identified to avoid them escalating. This course will also teach and encourage learners to think preventatively and provide some tools to use with an eye toward preventing future legal issues. Finally, this Teach-out seeks to expand the idea of legal health checks to a...
7. Legal Writing Master Class
Learn with lawyers by learning the correct use of prepositions and articles, drafting contracts and writing letters...
8. Legal English Language Certificate (LELC) Level 1 - CPD
Learn from Lawyers - Learn the CORRECT use of articles, prepositions, legal terms & start writing your letter!...
9. Cloud Computing Law
This Specialization is intended for anyone interested in understanding the legal rights and obligations of providers and customers of cloud services. Our three Courses cover the key legal and regulatory issues for cloud services, including cloud contracts, data protection law, law enforcement access, and much more! You will learn to describe cloud providers’ and customers’ legal rights, to identify and assess legal risks, and to suggest possible legal and technological solutions...
10. Learn Online Transcription from Scratch
Online Transcription...
11. How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist
Master Medical Transcription & Work From Home: Skills/Supplies Needed, Practice Files, Job Opportunities & More!...
12. Step-by-Step Transcription from Home - Start A New Career
Created/Taught by a 20-Year Active Transcriptionist - Beginner, More Advanced, Learn Skills to Become a Transcriptionist...
13. Cloud Security Course: Cloud Compliance, Audits,Legal issues
For CCSK and CCSP Aspirants - Cloud Agreements/Contracts, Legal and Compliance Concepts...
14. How to Become a Transcriptionist
A blueprint for building your work-from-home transcription career...
15. Transcription Skills - Learn Beginning to Advanced Skills
Master the Skills Needed to Professionally Transcribe Any Audio File Accurately and in Less Time...
16. Learn Ethical Hacking By Hacking Real Websites Legally
Fun way to learn ethical hacking by playing online hacking games - hacking real websites legally...
17. The Legal Implications of Social Media in the Workplace
Regulatory and Case Law Considerations for Employers' Social Media Policy Development...
18. Digital Forensics and Electronic Evidence
An introduction for legal professionals and other individuals with an interest in computer forensics...
19. Upwork Transcription and Captioning Course: 2 Courses In 1
Become a Transcriptionist on Upwork Master Tools for Creating Video Captions and Subtitles...
20. Employment Law Compliance Made Easy
A comprehensive course for management to understand key employment law issues in the workplace...
Top 10 most affordable universities for legal transcriptionists
The most affordable schools for legal transcriptionists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for legal transcriptionists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for legal transcriptionists.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
6. Trident University International
Cypress, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,240
Cost of attendance
17,912
7. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
8. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
10. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for legal transcriptionists
The hardest universities for legal transcriptionists to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for legal transcriptionists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for legal transcriptionists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
7. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
8. Tulane University
New Orleans, LA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,428
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for legal transcriptionists
The easiest schools for legal transcriptionists to get into are Barry University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and d'youville college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a legal transcriptionist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for legal transcriptionists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
4. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
8. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
9. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
10. Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,102
Average legal transcriptionist salary by education level
| Legal transcriptionist education level | Legal transcriptionist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $52,360 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $47,713 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $52,718 |
| Doctorate Degree | $54,703 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $48,791 |
Legal transcriptionist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025