Program Overview

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Introduction to the Master of Science in Cosmetic Science

The University of Cincinnati's James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy offers a Master of Science in Cosmetic Science, a graduate program designed to train students who will become future leaders in the field of Cosmetic Science. The program is available online to part-time and full-time students and includes both a Graduate Certificate and a Master of Science degree. Additionally, the university offers conventional thesis-based MS and PhD degrees in Pharmaceutical Science with an emphasis in Cosmetic Science.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Master of Science in Cosmetic Science program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• A U.S. bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent non-U.S. degree
• A grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 or non-U.S. equivalent
• At least one semester of undergraduate coursework in organic chemistry and calculus, or related fields; or the equivalent as determined by the graduate program
• Resume/CV
• Two letters of recommendation are required, three are preferred
• If English is not the applicant's native language, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 90 (internet-based) or 235 (computer-based) is required; IELTS score of 7 or higher is preferred or a Duolingo score of 110 or higher is also acceptable
• Completed online application

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Cosmetic Science program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop cosmetic and personal care products that delight consumers and improve their quality of life. The program covers various topics, including:

• The physiology and pharmacology of pertinent therapeutic or benefit systems of the skin and hair
• The underlying physical, biophysical, colloidal, and interfacial chemistry and formulation science of skin and hair cosmetic products, and OTC drug products
• Experimental design and statistical evaluation, product evaluation techniques (in vitro and clinical) including stability evaluations, cosmetic microbiology, consumer research, US FDA cosmetic and drug regulations, and product development approaches
• A concentrated one-week hands-on laboratory formulation session at the University of Cincinnati is also an option

Career Focus

As a career focus, the program trains students to understand:

• The know-how to apply physiology/biology of relevant skin, hair, and/or OTC drug targeted organ systems as these relate to achieve or evaluate the desired outcome of the use of cosmetic and personal care products
• The ability to formulate cosmetic and personal care product types (emulsions, suspensions, gels, solutions, aerosols, etc.) to meet desired product attributes using an understanding of the physical and chemical basis of these formulations
• The ability to identify and evaluate potential new actives and benefit delivery approaches from the relevant literature that could provide improved product performance
• The know-how to develop new product formulation approaches from evaluation of existing products and the relevant literature, and from designed experimentation to create products with improved benefits and consumer experience
• The ability to develop comprehensive product development programs to meet new product criteria and timing
• An understanding of methods to evaluate new and existing products for consumer acceptance, performance, and stability
• Familiarity with relevant governmental regulations (primarily US) which will help confirm product compliance
• The ability to prepare written assessments/proposals and orally present and defend them
• Develop project management skills that will enhance leadership opportunities

Graduation Requirements

To fulfill graduation requirements, students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate hours while in the program, with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. A capstone project is required as a final project to demonstrate program proficiency.

Transferring to UC

Students who are accepted into the MS program are eligible to apply for advanced standing.

International Student Requirements

International students are eligible to apply. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants whose native language is not English. The minimum score required for admission is 90 (internet-based test). If the applicant has a bachelor's degree or higher from a United States university, this requirement will be waived. IELTS score of 7 or higher is preferred or a Duolingo score of 110 or higher is also acceptable.

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Cosmetic Science curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in cosmetic science. The program includes a variety of courses that cover topics such as:

• Cosmetic science and technology
• Formulation and development of cosmetic products
• Regulatory affairs and compliance
• Product testing and evaluation
• Marketing and business aspects of the cosmetic industry

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for the Master of Science in Cosmetic Science program are:

• Fall Semester: August 1
• Spring Semester: December 1
• Summer Semester: April 1

Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Program Code

The program code for the Master of Science in Cosmetic Science is 25MAS-COS-MS-.COS-DL.