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Once a candidate has been interviewed and accepted into the pilot program they can start:
March 31, 2025
During the interview all you must do is appear by phone. You will be asked questions about your educational background, steno goals, lifestyle, and mindset.
You will be asked questions about your educational history, your learning style and how you handle different types of situations.
Arrange your interview whenever you are ready.
There is a maximum capacity of 50 participants for this pilot program.
You’ll need your own computer, a stenographic machine writer (steno machine), and the textbook for the course. You’ll also need access to the student version of a computer-aided transcription (CAT) software package. This can be purchased or leased from third party companies (more information below.) It is important that you have all the required equipment, software, and the textbook prior to their first day of class.
Please purchase a copy of Magnum Steno, Beginning Theory, Second, Third or Fourth Edition by Mark Kislingbury before beginning the course.
Students must purchase (or lease) the student version any computer-aided transcription (CAT) software programs on the market today. Case Catalyst by Stenograph is preferred.
You can use any steno machine that can be connected to your computer with a real-time USB cable. This course requires a double wide asterisk key and extended -DZ keys.
This is a decision that’s up to you based on your career goals and your financial situation. There are many vendors who will either rent or sell you a suitable machine, depending on your individual needs.
No, other than the equipment, textbook and software mentioned above, the course fees cover everything you need to get started.
We do not accept student loans or participate in FAFSA.
You have the option to choose either a monthly payment plan or to pay your tuition upfront. If you require any modifications to your payment plan, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the admissions team at StenoKey. For any questions regarding tuition or fees, you can visit our website at https://stenokey.com/tuition-and-fees/ or contact us at admissions@StenoKey.com for assistance and further information.
StenoKey teaches the Magnum Steno theory.
Once the participant has completed theory, legal and medical terminology are offered. You will learn the terminology through worksheets and video lessons and speed practice dictation. The dictation is aspect is what sets StenoKey apart from the traditional steno schools. Remember, you learn best by doing.
Once you complete theory, you will be comfortably writing 200 words per minute on your steno machine. At that time, you may choose to learn more short writing techniques and specialized terminology.
Most CAT software includes integrated video tutorials or self-study guides. Technical support for the CAT software is also provided by the CAT software vendor.
You will learn how to prepare transcripts during your internship in the state you’re going to be working in. Every state has different layouts and requirements for transcript production.
This program is 100% online.
Yes. Whether you are a transferring student who learned another theory or a working court reporter, you will start StenoKey in Chapter 1 of the Magnum Steno theory. Chapter 1 dictation files are available in speeds of 48 WPM to 144 WPM. You will be assigned an exit speed depending on how you perform on the first three files. You can get through Chapter 1 in as little as two days, but it should take you no longer than 14 days. The more you know and the more effectively you practice, the quicker you will complete each chapter.
Anyone who is writing below 180 words per minute will greatly benefit from this program. Any professional, working stenographer seeking to shorten their writing or provide real-time will greatly benefit from this program.
Some of the top performers are transfer students who learned a completely different theory. The core concepts of all steno theories are very similar. For example, we all use SKWR- for J-. We all write vowels the same. What sets Magnum Steno apart is its maximization of the steno keyboard. Most of what you already know will remain the same; however, you will be learning a lot more short writing techniques than you could ever imagine.
Absolutely. Your curriculum will focus only on the steno concepts that will build the foundation for your career. There are several add-on programs that you can add to your curriculum at no additional cost, depending on your goals and what you want to use your new skills for.
We will provide you with contact information for court, deposition, and captioning/CART employment options, as well as internship opportunities.
Yes. You will have the certification speeds required to write literature, testimony, four-voice, jury charge, medical testimony and legal dictation. You will be ready to write any job and pass any speed test. For state and national certification you will receive the tools for training so that you can prepare for the RPR WKT (written knowledge test) along with required internship. For those seeking to enter the field of closed captioning you will be prepared with real-time preparation and dictionary building.
Participants are advised to start interning after they have reached Chapter 33 in theory textbook. Katiana will help each participant find several agencies or companies to start their internship.
Testing is completed through our online portal. You will receive a preliminary grade immediately after submitting your test.
That depends 100% on you. The program is designed for participants to reach certification speeds in under 18 months. In order for you to do that, you must follow the curriculum and the agenda or practice plan designed for you. The program is self-paced, yet you will be coached by Katiana. By viewing your scores and comparing them to the master transcript, Katiana will be able to create a practice plan with you that will help you achieve your steno goals faster.
Test are administered weekly.
You are required to pass every dictation file assigned with a 97%. You have sometimes 20-90 dictation files in a chapter. You receive your grades instantly for each transcript you submit. All of your dictation files are required to be passed at a 97%. You are to complete for 4 to 10 files daily. Files are 2 and 1/2 minutes long in chapters 1 through 10.
Once you complete theory, which is the end Chapter 44, you will start taking lit tests. Your first ever lit test will be at 180 WPM, which is the same speed required for the national certification (RPR) and most state certifications (CSR). You are expected to pass this test within days, at most, weeks of completing Chapter 44.
To prepare you for success, once you have completed Chapter 24, you will begin more certification-like literature testing at 160 WPM. These mock tests will pinpoint any place in your theory that you may need to revisit so that you can proceed to the next chapter. This is how we build a strong foundation. If you are unable to pass a literature dictation file based on dictations that have words strictly from Chapters 1 through 24, how can you expect to pass a dictation that is based on the entire theory book? This is how we avoid plateaus. You will have these mocks weekly once you complete Chapter 24.
Yes. You will practice and test in four-voice and QA/testimony matters once you pass your 180 WPM lit tests. Your first testimony test will be at 200 WPM. Within a month or two, you are expected to pass a 225 WPM QA test, which is the same speed required for the national certification (RPR) and most state certifications (CSR). Once you’re passing your testimony at 200 words per minute you will then enter four-voice.
Participants can continue enrollment after 18 months. This is a pilot program designed to have participants reach 225 WPM in under 18 months. The goal is some students will go from 0 to 225 in under 12 months.
The instructional methods and the curriculum design at StenoKey is the driving force behind the 18-month completion expectation.
We are very flexible with our daily schedules. There are time and speed benchmarks that you must reach for each task on the daily agenda. When you reach the necessary benchmarks, you will unlock the next assignment.
Yes. We recommend breaks are part of the schedule to help you better learn the material.
Yes, you will receive an agenda for each chapter that includes the details of all the benchmarks you must complete.
You will be assigned tasks to complete every weekday. These tasks include video lessons, finger drills, written knowledge quizzes, transcription assignments, and dictation. A task is considered completed once you achieve a passing score, or when the allotted time has ended. There are no daily strokes requirements. Each day has a list of activities for you to complete, along with the suggested length of time for each. Some exercises are 10, 15, 25, 35, 40 or 45 minutes. We recommend you take multiple breaks. The total activity/practice time is four to six hours a day. It goes by quickly because of the parsed-out activities and regular short breaks.
On a day-to-day basis you are expected to watch the video lesson(s) for that chapter and the neighboring chapters. You are assigned finger drills for each day and you have a set number of dictation files that you are to complete each day.
Participants are required to practice 4 to 6 hours daily, six days a week to remain in the pilot program.
Your progress is monitored through an online learning management system. Therein you will practice your dictation files and they will be graded automatically. Your instructor will have access to your grades and login times.
There are due dates to keep you accountable. Your student support specialist will check in with you weekly to summarize your progress from the previous week and to nudge you with encouragement if she sees you haven’t logged in for two or more days.
You can easily contact your instructors and the administrators via e-mail, phone, instant messaging, forum, or web conference. You will also be in constant contact with the instructors and administration as necessary for the completion of the course.
Participants can book a meeting with Katiana any day of the week. They can also call, e-mail or text her whenever they need. There is also a private online group so you will get to know your peers and see how they are doing. There is a full-time student support staff member who will helps participants with accountability as well.
The participant portal includes a forum where you are encouraged to communicate with other participants. Sometimes the answer you’re looking for will come from one of your fellow participants. Instructors and administrators will also be active in this forum.
Biweekly there is a steno chat where all participants meet via Zoom. There is also a private online group so you will get to know your peers and see how they are doing. Participants can book a meeting with Katiana any day of the week. They can also call, e-mail or text her whenever they need.
There are plenty of participants who would be willing to share with you their experience. The best way to find them is on social media. Post in one of the steno Facebook groups, like Steno Student Success, and ask if anyone from the StenoKey program would like to share their experience with you.
Great! Please reach out to us at admissions@StenoKey.com and we will get back to you shortly with an answer. We look forward to having you as a StenoKey participant.