Broadcast Captioning
Associate of Applied Science Degree
10-170-1
Degree Completion Time: 4 terms

2008-2009 Program Sheet
watch program video 

About the Career
You've read the scrolling captions for the hearing–impaired on your TV screen. The person providing instantaneous text of programs is trained in realtime transcription techniques and technology. These skills can also be used to provide CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) for hearing-impaired students in educational as well as public settings. If you're an excellent listener, enjoy keyboarding, have strong language and communication skills, are committed to accuracy and able to work on deadline, a career in broadcast captioning may be a perfect fit for your talents.

About Shared Programs
LTC offers its Broadcast Captioning program in cooperation with technical colleges across the state. As a Broadcast Captioning student you'll:

• Attend live, interactive TV classes sent from LTC to your local technical college.
• Take General Education classes at your local technical college.

• Lakeshore Technical College (LTC)
• Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC)
• Gateway Technical College (GTC)
• Milwaukee Area Technical College–West Allis (MATC)
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC)

Career Outlook
According to the 1996 Telecommunications Act, television broadcasters are required to close caption all new live and video programming by the year 2006. Based on this, industry experts predict the need for professional broadcast captioners to triple.

Instructor
Cheryl Darrow

FAQ
What is broadcast captioning?
Broadcast captioning is the realtime captioning for live television broadcasts. It's also personalized services for deaf and hard-of-hearing people through Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART).

What skills will I need to become a broadcast captioner?
Potential broadcast captioners should:
•Like to read.
•Be detail-oriented.
•Work well under pressure.
•Have excellent English skills.
•Enjoy technology.
•Be able to concentrate for long periods of time.

How does a broadcast captioner record what is being said?
Most broadcast captioners use a shorthand machine called a steno machine or a steno writer. The keyboard on the machine has 24 keys and a number bar. The keys, when depressed, produce letters on a continuous-feeding paper tape or computer screen.

Is the shorthand system hard to learn?
Yes and no. Learning the system is not difficult in the sense that you have a large amount to learn. However, it is difficult in that many hours of practice are required. Study of the basic theory takes time, determination and motivation.

How long does it usually take to become a broadcast captioner?
The Broadcast Captioning program is a two-year associate degree program and year two is currently under development. Depending on your status, full-or part-time, or your individual workload, it may take longer.

What are the approximate program costs?
See the LTC Program Costs Brochure.

What's the starting monthly salary for an LTC Broadcast Captioning program grad?
For the latest LTC graduate salary information available, click here.

Can I receive financial aid?
On average, more than 90 percent of LTC students who apply for financial aid receive some kind of assistance. In addition, thousands of scholarship dollars are awarded each year by the LTC Foundation, Inc. For more info, visit our
financial aid page.

How do I apply for admission?
Request and complete a student application and mail to LTC at 1290 North Avenue, Cleveland, WI 53015 or print out the application. Or you can apply online.

Testimonials
“I chose LTC because it's close and convenient, and I heard from other LTC graduates that the programs LTC offers are very flexible and affordable. The instructors are excellent, the staff is very helpful, and the program I am enrolled in is interesting, rewarding, and fun. I would recommend LTC to others in a heartbeat.”
–Liz Klessig

Want more information?
•Submit your questions online.
•Email info@gotoltc.edu
•Call 1.888.GO TO LTC, Ext. 1109

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