Cosmetic Chemistry Degree
Chemistry has a major impact in the cosmetic industry. Apart from product refining and improvement, a cosmetic chemist is in charge of making, formulating, producing and analyzing new products before they are sent to the market. Graduates of cosmetic chemistry (or cosmetic science) have several opportunities to work even when they just finish from a university or college. Apart from making new cosmetic products, a cosmetic chemist can also lecture and carry out several tests on ingredients and products in the market. A cosmetic chemist is also trained in analytical chemistry, quality control, process engineering and synthesis chemistry.
Steps Required for Getting a Degree in Cosmetic Chemistry
Getting a degrees in cosmetic chemistry requires that you go through the following steps:
- Get the Bachelor's Degree: Many cosmetic chemists have advanced degrees such as master's and PhD. These advanced degrees cannot be obtained without getting a bachelor's degree first. However, these advanced degrees are not very important for employment since there are still positions available for those that have only the bachelor's degree.
- Get the Graduate's Degree: Most reputable firms prefer employing cosmetic scientists with the master's or doctorate degree. There are many schools that provide programs in these graduate degrees and finding a reputable one is not a difficult task. There are some schools that combine the bachelor's and master's program so that a student can have the two degrees during his graduation. The duration of cosmetic chemistry in such schools is between 5 and 6 years.
- Go for Cosmetic Sciences Fellowship- Although this is not very important, cosmetic science fellowship helps to provide experience. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that some fellowship programs takes many years to complete.
Schools to Attend for a Cosmetic Chemistry Degree
The following schools are among the best options for obtaining a cosmetic chemistry degree:
- Farleigh Dickinson University- This School is recommended for those that want a Master of Arts qualification. The Master of Arts program helps the students gain the experience required to work in cosmetics and personal care industry. You need a bachelor's degree in any applied science course before being eligible to enroll for the Master of Arts program.
- University of Cincinnati- The College of pharmacy in the University of Cincinnati organizes a graduate program in cosmetic science. Students in this program study analytical chemistry, dermatology, biostatistics and physical chemistry. Only those with a Bachelor's of Science degree in chemistry or pharmacology are able to apply for the graduate program in this university.
- University of Southern Mississippi- Graduate degree in cosmetic chemistry is organized by the school of polymers and high performance materials of the University of Southern Mississippi. The school runs this program with the support of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. Before admission can be granted, the prospective students must pass their test in physical chemistry, calculus and organic chemistry. Other admission requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a good record with the Graduates Records Exam.
What Do Cosmetic Chemists Earn?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that cosmetic chemists earn between $28 and $29 per hour. This means that for a whole year, cosmetic chemists earn between $56,000 and $58,000. However, fresh graduates can find work that pays around $30,000 per year. Cosmetic chemists with advanced degrees in top organizations earn around $60,000 to $90,000 a year.
