<p>I know Medill is fabulous, but I am more interested in the School of Communications. Does it have a strong focus on public relations?</p>
<p>Public Relations actually falls under the Journalism department. Their communication program is top in the nation according to [National</a> Universities Rankings - Best College - Education - US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-universities-rankings]National”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-universities-rankings) </p>
<p>The reason there’s a communication and a journalism school has to do with the history of the school and offering more than one “college” within for purposes of getting someone to be president of the university.</p>
<p>Also, I think public relations is only offered as a minor. Personally, I’m looking at that as my minor and majoring in Communication Studies.</p>
<p>PR is not exactly an academic hotbed of activity at any university. It’s still mostly considered a learn on the job field. A background in communications, media, stats, business, psychology, etc. are certainly all useful. </p>
<p>At Northwestern, PR related courses are found both in Comm Studies and in Medill. Within Medill, they are both in the Journalism and in the IMC (Integrated Marketing Communications) programs.<br>
If your interests also extend into marketing/advertising the IMC Certificate is a great adjunct to any major at NU ([Medill</a> - IMC Undergraduate Certificate](<a href=“http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/imc/undergraduatecertificate.aspx]Medill”>http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/imc/undergraduatecertificate.aspx)).</p>
<p>Comm Studies is a great department at NU and, although quite academic, is still pragmatic. But lots of other majors in WCAS and SESP (psych, econ, LOC, etc.) would serve you just as well (esp. if supplemented with Medill PR or Comm courses and/or an IMC certificate). I would generally not recommend one major in journalism solely to head into PR (unless you have independent interest in the field).</p>