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  2. Public Relations

Public Relations Courses

Public relations courses can help you learn media relations, crisis communication, brand management, and strategic messaging. You can build skills in audience analysis, content creation, and effective storytelling. Many courses introduce tools like press release software, social media management platforms, and analytics tools, that support measuring campaign success and engaging with diverse audiences.

Popular Public Relations Courses and Certifications


  • M

    Microsoft

    Microsoft Public Relations and Communications Associate

    Skills you'll gain: Media Relations, Content Management, Public Relations, Proofreading, Stakeholder Analysis, Integrated Marketing Communications, Marketing Communications, Content Management Systems, Press Releases, Performance Reporting, Storytelling, Strategic Communication, Content Scheduling, Report Writing, Content Strategy, Media Strategy, Communication Strategies, Campaign Management, Responsible AI, Generative AI

    4.7 stars, 252 reviews, Beginner, Professional Certificate, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.7 (252) · Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • M

    Microsoft

    Marketing, Communication, and PR

    Skills you'll gain: Marketing and Public Relations, Integrated Marketing Communications, Marketing Communications, Public Relations, Storytelling, Communication Planning, Strategic Communication, Target Audience, Campaign Management, Campaign Planning, Cross-Channel Marketing, Ethical Standards And Conduct

    4.8 stars, 44 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.8 (44) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Colorado Boulder

    Introduction to Public Relations and the Media

    Skills you'll gain: Public Relations, Media Relations, Communication Planning, Marketing and Public Relations, Media and Communications, Strategic Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Media Strategy, Marketing Collateral, Professional Networking, Research, Digital Media Strategy, Stakeholder Communications, Advocacy, Branding, Performance Measurement, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Campaign Planning, Program Evaluation

    4.7 stars, 788 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (788) · Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • M

    Microsoft

    Introduction to Public Relations

    Skills you'll gain: Public Relations, Media Relations, Target Audience, Communication Planning, Strategic Communication, Campaign Planning, Campaign Management, AI literacy, Content Creation, Generative AI, AI Personalization

    4.7 stars, 160 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (160) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • I

    IE Business School

    Integrated Marketing Communications: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and more

    Skills you'll gain: Marketing Communications, Integrated Marketing Communications, Advertising, Marketing, Marketing Budgets, Campaign Planning, Communication Planning, Marketing and Public Relations, Brand Strategy, Brand Loyalty, Marketing Management, Consumer Behaviour, Communication Strategies, Communication, Budget Management, Budgeting

    4.7 stars, 2.5K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.7 (2.5K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Michigan

    Good with Words: Speaking and Presenting

    Skills you'll gain: Tactfulness, Oral Expression, Public Speaking, Storytelling, Verbal Communication Skills, Persuasive Communication, Non-Verbal Communication, Communication, Communication Strategies, Presentations, Ingenuity, Interpersonal Communications, Empathy, Professionalism, Optimism, Driving engagement, Creativity, Advocacy, Problem Solving, Adaptability

    4.6 stars, 378 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.6 (378) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
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  • M

    Microsoft

    Media Relations and Crisis Management

    Skills you'll gain: Media Relations, Internal Communications, Crisis Management, Communication Planning, Public Relations, Media Strategy, Communication Strategies, Stakeholder Communications, AI Integrations

    4.7 stars, 46 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (46) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Washington

    Dynamic Public Speaking

    Skills you'll gain: Public Speaking, Persuasive Communication, Presentations, Oral Expression, Verbal Communication Skills, Storytelling, Communication, Motivational Skills, Peer Review, Constructive Feedback, Communication Strategies, Concision, Verbal Strategic Communication, Writing, Non-Verbal Communication, Visual Design, Editing, Composure, Planning

    4.7 stars, 2.9K reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.7 (2.9K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Colorado Boulder

    The Nuts and Bolts of Public Relations

    Skills you'll gain: Public Relations, Marketing Collateral, Performance Measurement, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Branding

    4.7 stars, 115 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.7 (115) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • I

    IESE Business School

    Crisis Communications

    Skills you'll gain: Corporate Communications, Crisis Management, Strategic Communication, Media Relations, Public Relations, Media and Communications, Communication Strategies, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Communication, Interviewing Skills, Public Speaking

    4.7 stars, 96 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.7 (96) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of California, Irvine

    Corporate Communications

    Skills you'll gain: Internal Communications, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Storytelling, Strategic Communication, Employee Engagement, Target Audience, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Crisis Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Social Media Marketing, Social Media, Social Media Management, Stakeholder Communications, Branding, Brand Strategy, Business Communication, Communication Strategies, Communication, Employee Retention

    4.6 stars, 174 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.6 (174) · Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • J

    Johns Hopkins University

    Strategic Communications in Technical Organizations

    Skills you'll gain: Request for Proposal, Conflict Management, Presentations, Teamwork, Technical Communication, Storytelling, Persuasive Communication, Communication Strategies, Organizational Strategy, Non-Verbal Communication, Proposal Writing, Business Communication, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Verbal Communication Skills, Target Audience, Strategic Communication, Intercultural Competence, Team Collaboration, Strategic Thinking

    4.8 stars, 88 reviews, Intermediate, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (88) · Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
1234…252

Best Public Relations courses from Microsoft

Top-rated Public Relations courses offered by Microsoft on Coursera.

  1. 1
    Microsoft Public Relations and Communications Associate
    MicrosoftBeginner3 - 6 Months4.7(252)Microsoft
  2. 2
    Marketing, Communication, and PR
    MicrosoftBeginner1 - 3 Months4.8(44)Microsoft
  3. 3
    Introduction to Public Relations
    MicrosoftBeginner1 - 3 Months4.7(160)Microsoft

Best Public Relations certificate programs

Earn a certificate in Public Relations from top universities and companies.

  1. 1
    Introduction to Public Relations and the Media
    University of Colorado BoulderBeginner1 - 3 Months4.7(788)Specialization
  2. 2
    Good with Words: Speaking and Presenting
    University of MichiganBeginner3 - 6 Months4.6(378)Specialization
  3. 3
    Dynamic Public Speaking
    University of WashingtonBeginner3 - 6 Months4.7(2,945)Specialization

Best Public Relations courses for beginners

Top-rated beginner-friendly Public Relations courses with no prerequisites.

  1. 1
    Integrated Marketing Communications: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and more
    IE Business SchoolBeginner1 - 4 Weeks4.7(2,498)No prerequisites
  2. 2
    Media Relations and Crisis Management
    MicrosoftBeginner1 - 3 Months4.7(46)No prerequisites
  3. 3
    The Nuts and Bolts of Public Relations
    University of Colorado BoulderBeginner1 - 4 Weeks4.7(115)No prerequisites

Skills you can learn in Marketing

Market (economics) (28)
Social Media (15)
Marketing Strategy (14)
Analytics (13)
Brand (13)
Digital Marketing (13)
Marketing Analytics (11)
Plan (11)
Advertising (9)
Modeling (9)
Social Media Marketing (9)
Brand Management (7)

Frequently Asked Questions about Public Relations

Public relations is the practice of managing how an organization, brand, artist, or individual communicates with the public and key audiences. It often includes media relations, messaging, reputation management, stakeholder communication, and campaign planning. Courses such as Introduction to Public Relations and the Media from the University of Colorado Boulder and Introduction to Public Relations from Microsoft can help you build a practical foundation in how PR works.‎

Public relations skills are used in roles across communications, marketing, media, corporate affairs, nonprofit outreach, entertainment, and brand management. Common job titles may include public relations associate, communications specialist, media relations coordinator, corporate communications assistant, or marketing communications associate. Coursera courses such as Corporate Communications from the University of California, Irvine and Microsoft Public Relations and Communications Associate can help you explore how these skills apply in workplace settings.‎

Before learning public relations, it helps to be comfortable with written communication, basic research, audience awareness, and professional collaboration. You do not need an advanced background to begin, but familiarity with marketing, business communication, or media concepts can make PR topics easier to understand. Beginner-friendly options like Principles of Public Relations from the University of Colorado Boulder can help you build core knowledge step by step.‎

Skills that complement public relations include marketing, digital marketing, social media strategy, advertising, corporate communications, content writing, brand strategy, and analytics. These related areas help you plan campaigns, tailor messages for different audiences, and evaluate communication efforts. Courses such as Integrated Marketing Communications: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and more from IE Business School connect PR with broader marketing and communications practices.‎

A good way to start learning public relations is to begin with the fundamentals of PR, media relations, and audience-focused communication. From there, you can explore more applied areas such as corporate communications, integrated marketing communications, or industry-specific PR. On Coursera, courses like Introduction to Public Relations and the Media, Introduction to Public Relations, and Marketing, Communication, and PR offer starting points for building practical communication skills.‎

Yes. You can start learning public relations on Coursera for free in two ways:

  1. Preview the first module of many public relations courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera AI (where available).
  2. Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in public relations, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

Some strong beginner options for public relations include Introduction to Public Relations and the Media from the University of Colorado Boulder, Introduction to Public Relations from Microsoft, and Principles of Public Relations from the University of Colorado Boulder. These courses focus on foundational PR concepts, communication strategy, media relationships, and professional messaging. If you want a broader business communications path, Marketing, Communication, and PR from Microsoft may also be a helpful next step.‎

Public relations courses typically cover communication strategy, media relations, messaging, reputation management, campaign planning, audience analysis, and the role of PR within marketing or corporate communications. Some courses also connect PR to advertising, digital marketing, music management, or organizational communication. The Coursera selection includes focused PR courses as well as related options like Corporate Communications and Music Management, Marketing and PR, so you can choose based on your goals.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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