Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award

This square knot is presented to recognize completion of a standardized program leading to the completion of a thesis or project and the award of the Doctorate of Commissioner Science from a College of Commissioner Science.

Justification

The commissioner is the mainstay for Scouting program administration. It is commissioner service that ensures that units are healthy, productive, and assist in the growth of the program.

The College of Commissioner Science program is designed to have a commissioner learn, through a series of training classes, followed by work experiences to ensure a quality program throughout Scouting. This training will take a number of years to complete. The commissioner finalizes his/her training with an approved thesis or project for the benefit of the Scouting program. This assists both new commissioners as they learn, and seasoned commissioners as they train others.

A well-trained commissioner staff better serves the Scouting program.

The College of Commissioner Science program is a guideline for councils to adapt as they determine will fit their needs.

Having a knot award for the program requires that the commissioner complete, as a minimum, a training program standardized for all BSA programs.

Objectives

To further involve commissioners in providing support to units in their delivery of a quality program experience for all youth in Scouting.

To provide councils an opportunity to recognize commissioners for their tenured service, their involvement in learning more about delivery of quality Scouting, and their involvement in support of others.

Requirements:

Tenure

Serve as a commissioner for a minimum of 5 years. Their service can be in one or more commissioner roles or positions of service.

Training

1. Bachelor of Commissioner Science Degree (BCS)
   • Prerequisites
     1. Maintain registration in any capacity as a Commissioner during the entire training program listed below.
     2. Complete Commissioner orientation (Commissioner Fieldbook)
     3. Complete commissioner basic training.
   • Course Requirements
     Complete a minimum of seven (7) courses of instruction, at least five (5) of the courses at the Bachelor’s program level as listed in the Continuing Education for Commissioners manual.
   • Performance
     1. Approval of Council or assigned Assistant Council Commissioner
     2. Approval of Scout Executive or Advisor to Commissioner Service
2. Master of Commissioner Science Degree (MCS)
   • Prerequisites
     1. Completion of bachelor’s degree.
     2. Earned Arrowhead Honor.
     3. Current registration as a commissioner.
   • Course Requirements
     Complete a minimum of seven (7) additional courses of instruction (total of 14), at least seven (7) of the courses at the Master’s program level as listed in the Continuing Education for Commissioners manual.
   • Performance
     1. Approval of Council or assigned Assistant Council Commissioner
     2. Approval of Scout Executive or Advisor to Commissioner Service
3. Doctor of Commissioner Science Degree (DCS)
   • Prerequisites
     1. Completion of master’s degree.
     2. Have been awarded the Commissioner’s Key.
     3. Current registration as a commissioner.
   • Course Requirements
     Complete a minimum of ten (10) additional courses of instruction not used to qualify for other college awards (total of 24), at least five (5) of the courses at the doctor’s program level as listed in the Continuing Education for Commissioners manual.
   • Thesis or Project
     Completion of a thesis or project on any topic of value to Scouting in the local council.
     The topic and final paper or project must be approved by the council commissioner, or assigned assistant council commissioner, or the dean of the doctorate program and the staff advisor for commissioner service.
   • Performance
     1. Serve on the College of Commissioner Science faculty (instructor or support staff) or work with training support for commissioners for at least one year.
     2. Recruit at least three new commissioners at any level.
     3. Approval of Council or assigned Assistant Council Commissioner
     4. Approval of Scout Executive or Advisor to Commissioner Service

Grandfather or Sunset Clause:

Since the key requirement of this award is tied to an approval of a Thesis (Councils with a Commissioner’s College) or Project (Councils without a Commissioners College) that is only earned once, this award is retroactive for individuals who have completed other requirements prior to the approval of this award. This clause applies for the previous 10 years. Any commissioner who meets these requirements would need to list any courses they have completed previously and then complete their thesis or project to apply for the award.

Anyone who earned their doctorate based on the current qualifications will not have to repeat what they have already completed, even if it was prior to 10 years ago. They will have to show their current council commissioner/staff advisor what they have done and then approved. The knots should be available through the Scout Shop but there should be some approval process for the person to purchase the knot.

Award Qualifying Certification:

The council certifies that the individual has met all of the requirements to earn the Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award and should make the presentation at a public gathering to gain recognition for the individual being honored.

Page updated on: May 23, 2014