- Public Speaking. This class is vital for any Public Relations major, as speaking to the media, interviewing, and addressing groups of people are a major part of the job. Depending on the school, several public speaking classes may be required.
- Public Relations. This is usually an introductory course to the field of public relations. Students would be wise to consider taking this class before declaring the major, as it provides an in-depth look to how the class really is.
- Media Writing. Writing for the media is different than writing for business or otherwise. Classes that have to do with media writing will teach such fundamentals as writing press releases, news articles, and journalistic techniques.
- Marketing. A key element in the practice of public relations is marketing, as it is vital to promote your products or company. A number of marketing classes or specialized marketing classes are generally required.
- Advertising/Promotion. Another important facet of a well-rounded study of public relations, advertising or promotion classes will most likely be required.
- Internship. Many colleges require an internship as part of their study. These are very beneficial as they help the student get an in-depth look at the field of PR while at the same time allowing them to make valuable contacts.

People who major in Public Relations may also opt to double major in a complementary major that will emphasize their career, such as Communications or Professional Writing.

Choosing a Minor
A degree in public relations should also include a minor that helps strengthen your knowledge of the field or the work done within. Such minors that would be useful to a public relations major include Business Communication, Communications, Advertising, Marketing, English, Professional Writing, or Mass Communication.

Alternate Degrees
Some schools do not offer Public Relations as a degree. However, this does not mean that a student hoping to pursue a field in Public Relations needs to find a new school or career path. Many schools offer Public Relations emphases or minors. There are a number of degrees that could aid in a career in public relations. These include:
- Communications. A degree in communications will help prepare the student for a career in PR by offering a number of classes that will be useful, including print and broadcast media, writing for the media, public speaking, and a number of others. A degree in communications often allows the student to declare an emphasis, and Public Relations is a commonly-offered one.
- Marketing. A degree in marketing could be helpful to someone hoping to pursue a career in public relations, as much of a PR representative's workload involves effective promotion and marketing.

A degree in public relations can enhance a person's chances of finding a job within the field. For schools that don't have PR degrees, there are other majors that will still allow a person to find a job within the field of public relations.

For more information about public relations and related topics, visit the following websites:
http://101publicrelations.com
www.publicrelationsideas.com