Overview
The goal of the MBS Personal Care Science concentration is to educate and equip students with the skills and tools necessary to succeed in the personal care (cosmetic) industry.
Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental processes and applications of personal care chemistry and formulation—including raw materials, bioactives, emulsions, and the biology and function of skin and hair—while also having the opportunity to explore specialized topics such as fragrance, regulatory affairs, sustainability, and colloid chemistry. In addition, students gain key business skills in areas including finance, entrepreneurship, leadership, intellectual property, ethics, regulatory affairs, and artificial intelligence (AI)—equipping them to lead innovation at the intersection of science and business.
Skills Gained
Through expert instruction and experiential education, students will:
- Gain comprehensive knowledge of personal care science as well as business fundamentals
- Learn state-of-the-art processes and applications of personal care chemistry
- Gain an overview of the commercialization process
- Learn about the guiding principles and best practices for product development and commercialization
Where Our Personal Care Science Alumni Work
There are numerous job opportunities and career paths available to individuals with advanced knowledge of Personal Care Science.
| Titles | Companies |
|---|---|
| Innovation Scientist Color and Skincare | L’Oréal |
| Research Chemist, Skin Care | Johnson & Johnson |
| Product Developer, Global Oral Care R&D | Shiseido |
| Scent Design Associate/Manager | Colgate-Palmolive |
| and more! | Estee Lauder |
| and more! |
Preferred Academic or Professional Experience
Academic
- It is strongly recommended that applicants possess a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or chemical biology; students with undergraduate degrees in a field other than chemistry must have completed two semesters of organic chemistry.
Professional
- All professional experience will be considered as part of the application process.
Applicants who are unsure of their eligibility for this concentration should schedule an appointment with an enrollment specialist.
"Thank you to the MBS program, I am now working at my DREAM JOB. If it weren’t for the connections and networking that occurred throughout the years in my classes, and the motivational support from my classes and professors, I would not be where I am today. I cannot recommend this program enough for young professionals who aspire to be in the beauty/ cosmetics industry."
- Katelyn DuChemin, Personal Care Science Graduate
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