The University of Toledo is building on its nationally recognized undergraduate cosmetic science program to launch a new graduate-level degree, creating the most comprehensive cosmetic science and formulation design program in the country.
Designed to meet the needs of working professionals, the new fully online Master of Science in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Program will provide advanced education on ingredient selection, design and formulation techniques, and cosmetic industry trends and regulations.
Dr. Gabriella Baki, center, an associate professor of pharmaceutics, works in her lab with undergraduate cosmetic science and formulation design students Lin Khant Maung, left, and Lois Lancaster.
The UToledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences was the first school in the country to develop a cosmetic science and formulation degree at the baccalaureate level.
Since the program’s introduction in 2013, its graduates have gone on to earn internships and full-time positions at some of the most well-recognized cosmetic companies in the world, including the Estée Lauder Companies and L’Oréal.
“We have certainly come a long way, starting 10 years ago with an undergraduate degree that was not offered anywhere else in the nation,” said Dr. Gabriella Baki, an associate professor of pharmaceutics and director of the undergraduate program at UToledo. “Based on what we’ve learned through the success of that program and the connections we’ve made within the industry, we’re ready to take the next step.”
Baki described the bachelor’s program as a blend of art, science and business that prepares students to design, produce, test and market cosmetics and personal care products.
The master’s degree takes that a step further. Students will dive much deeper into the science of those products. They’ll also focus on emerging topics within the industry, such as sustainability and the skin microbiome — the trillions of microorganisms that live on our skin.
“Finding ways to develop products that won’t disrupt healthy skin’s natural microbiome is a scientific area that’s still evolving but it’s important for students to be introduced to it and understand where science is today,” Baki said. “There are topics we only scratch the surface of in the bachelor’s program that we’ll be able to devote full courses to in the master’s program.”
The 30-credit program, which has been in development for a year, received final approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education in late October.
The college also received approval for a fully online 12-credit-hour graduate certificate for those with a bachelor’s degree.
Additionally, UToledo will offer a four-plus-one pipeline program for undergraduate face-to-face students to continue their education and graduate with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. UToledo will be the only program in the country with this unique offering.
Baki and assistant lecturer Alison Wery will be the primary full-time faculty members teaching courses. Wery, who has significant industry experience as a project manager, research and development chemist, formulation scientist, merchandise and service coordinator and operations lead, will lead the new graduate program.
The University also will bring in a number of industry experts to teach courses at the graduate level.
“There is a significant need for graduates in this field, and we anticipate that’s only going to grow,” said Dr. Pam Heaton, dean of the UToledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “We are so excited to create this unique program to address this growing industry need.”
Baki and Wery expect many students who enroll to already be working in the cosmetic science industry and looking to climb the corporate ladder, or are employed in a related scientific field and seeking a career change.
“Many people working in the cosmetics industry have degrees in chemistry, biochemistry or chemical engineering,” Baki said. “They were not necessarily formally trained in formulation and the science behind how you craft and test a new cosmetic or personal care product. A specialized education in cosmetic science will make them more competitive as they look to advance in their career.”
In anticipation that many students will be working full time while they attend UToledo, the program will hold two seven-week courses per semester so students can take one course at a time while still completing two courses per semester.
Because UToledo is unique in producing graduates who have completed a bachelor’s curriculum specifically tailored to the cosmetics industry, Baki said there’s a considerable value in the further education UToledo will be providing.
UToledo’s review of industry and government data found more than half of all employees working in the cosmetics industry are at least 40 years old, and half of those are close to retiring.
“Given the cosmetic industry’s growth rate and the current workforce demographics, there is a large need for well-educated scientists who are trained on personal care and cosmetic science,” Baki said. “We have everything in place to provide that. We have the infrastructure, we have the faculty and we have those strong connections to industry. It’s a great fit for us.”
The online nature of the program also represents opportunities for UToledo to reach students who might not otherwise consider the school.
“Universities across the country are seeing a decline in direct-from-high school students, but there is an enormous need for upskilling,” Heaton said. “The online space is a great way to do that. You can live in one of the major pharmaceutical and cosmetic science hubs but do the online program here. I think this attracts a different student, and that different student will help raise our visibility.”
The program will begin enrolling students for the Master of Science in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Program for May 2024.
