Public Relations Educational Requirements
Since the public relations field is so diverse, there is no cookie-cutter list for educational requirements. Furthermore, educational requirements will depend upon the level of the public relations job. Adding to the confusion, some universities and colleges offer public relations as its own degree, while others wrap public relations coursework into business, marketing or general communication degree programs. Although there are several educational paths toward a career in public relations, acquiring solid communication skills is a good start to achieving public relations success.
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Undergraduate Degree
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Most employers require candidates for entry-level public relations positions to have an undergraduate degree in journalism, communication, public relations, marketing or other related field. Some universities, like the University of Maryland at College Park, offer a communications degree with a public relations focus. Students enrolled in a public relations degree program can expect a combination of liberal arts requirements and classes covering public relations theory. Students can also expect classes covering technical public relations skills such as writing press releases, newsletters, speeches and media management.
Master's Degree
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Those seeking upper management positions in public relations or those interested in transitioning to the field from business or another industry may be required to have an advanced degree in public relations or communication studies. Requirements of a master's degree in communication include more intricate and intense communication theory classes, leadership or management classes and a specialization in a particular area of public relations, such as media management. Many master's programs will require a thesis, which requires a student to research and write about a public relations topic. In addition, a company's public relations leaders may be required to have an advanced degree reflecting their industry. For example, an executive vice president of public relations for a bank may need a master's of business administration.
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Specialization
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Having a specific area of expertise starts to become a requirement as an individual starts to move from entry-level to mid-level public relations jobs. For example, those seeking mid-to-upper level jobs as press secretaries on Capitol Hill may be required to have a minor or significant coursework in political science. Since the public relations field is broad, there is no one perfect minor for a public relations degree. Instead, should choose a minor in a field that interests them such as health, business or psychology. Industry accreditation programs, advanced degrees or college classes taken after graduation can also achieve specialization.
Internship
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On the job experience is critical for landing a public relations jobs. Since experience is often a condition for entry-level public relations jobs, many universities require an internship as part of an undergraduate public relations or communications program. An intern can expect to handle entry-level tasks like paperwork or answering the telephone. However, an intern also usually has a chance to sit in on meetings or work on one or two special projects related to the intern's interest. For the intern, the goal is to gain understanding about how public relations works outside of the classroom and to practice, or learn, job skills related to the field.
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References
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