03/06/2026
February 28, 2026
Doctorate of Commissioner Science Update
The National Commissioner Training team is introducing a more accessible path for earning the Doctorate of Commissioner Science, which will further encourage participation. Traditional academic writing is no longer the focus. Instead, the doctorate centers on a practical, reproducible project that strengthens unit service. Commissioners who enjoy writing may still submit a paper, but actions for impact—not formatting—is the priority. The “Guidebook for Earning the Doctorate of Commissioner Science Degree and Doctorate of Commissioner Science Knot Award” has been updated as of February, 2026. In addition, the doctoral courses have been updated to reflect this change. The Three P’s – Proposal, Project, Paper (report) Projects may begin with research or analysis to guide the work, but research alone is not sufficient.
The emphasis is on what you do to improve unit service, and a brief summary of the results and lessons learned. A new “Commissioner Doctoral Project Workbook” has been created to assist candidates in planning, carrying out, and documenting the work. When will this take effect? Candidates for the Doctorate of Commissioner Science who are already approved before June 1, 2026, should continue on their path. Any candidate for the Doctorate of Commissioner Science beginning the process on or after June 1, 2026, will need to follow the new requirements, including an action-for-impact project. The doctoral project is about making a real difference—practical, meaningful work that helps units thrive! All information and materials are available:
https://www.scouting.org/commissioners/training/college-of-commissioner-science/doctorate-courses/
Courses As facilitators and trainers for this curriculum, we are charged with representing the BSA and delivering this national material. To stay consistent across the nation, the content of the training should be delivered as designed and written. Therefore, the materials on the BSA Commissioner De...
