Embedded Files
College of Commissioner Science
College of Commissioner Science
Please check back at this page address for the announcement of the 39th consecutive College of Commissioner Science to be held in 2026.
Please check back at this page address for the announcement of the 39th consecutive College of Commissioner Science to be held in 2026.
Our recent COCS was held Saturday, November 8, 2025
7:00 am - 3:45 pm
Our recent COCS was held Saturday, November 8, 2025
7:00 am - 3:45 pm
in the Great Trail Council at Walsh Jesuit High School, 4550 Wyoga Lake Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224
(Directions: Google Maps, Waze) (Hotels: Expedia)
first class 8:00 am
Deans represent Great Trail, Lake Erie, and Buckeye Councils. Members of all councils are welcome.
The 2025 college is being held in conjunction with the University of Scouting. When you register, you will choose one of the program tracks: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, or Continuing Education. Your participation is assumed for the whole day, and you will not be able to register for courses at the University of Scouting.
Commissioner Training Expectations:
Commissioner Training Expectations:
Commissioner training is a continuous experience.
Commissioner training is a continuous experience.
(1) Each commissioner is to be trained in Position Specific Training for each role to which they are assigned. Training can be instructor-led or online at my.scouting.org and is available for the roles of Unit Commissioner, Roundtable/Asst Commissioner, District/Asst District Commissioner, and Council/Assistant Council Commissioner.
(2) Each commissioner is to be onboarded with the Commissioner Onboarding Guide for their role.
Unit Commissioner Onboarding Orientation Guide – NEW! 8/2025
Roundtable/Asst Roundtable Commissioner Onboarding Orientation Guide – NEW! 8/2025
District/Asst District Commissioner Onboarding Orientation Guide – NEW! 8/2025
Council/Asst Council Commissioner Onboarding Orientation Guide – NEW! 8/2025
(3) Continuing Education - including monthly training at district and council meetings and other occasional trainings.
(4) Annual Training - which can be a Commissioner Conference/retreat and/or The College of Commissioner Science. Every commissioner should attend the annual training, whether or not they are seeking a degree.
Track your College Program with
Your Personal Record Form
Track your College Program with
Your Personal Record Form
This is the worksheet for the Doctorate of Commissioner Science Knot and Your Personal Progress Record. Keep a copy of all of your progress to each degree and subsequent awards. To help you, all courses offered by this College since 2017 are listed at the bottom of this page. (form updated 7/2025)
2025's Program
2025's Program
Other Locally Created Courses
Other Locally Created Courses
Four our out-of-council friends.
Four our out-of-council friends.
Reciprocity Statement, 2018 version
Reciprocity Statement, 2018 version
You may register for one of the following four college tracks: Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate I and II, and Continuing Education. The document below shows the prerequisites and requirements for each degree. and includes information on earning the Doctor of Commissioner Science Knot award. This is a national standard to which we adhere.
Click to reveal document detailsStatement of Course Work Reciprocity:
Statement of Course Work Reciprocity:
The College of Commissioner Science accepts a Commissioner's course work from any Boy Scouts of America College of Commissioner Science provided that an official transcript is made available.
The College of Commissioner Science will credit courses from another Council to be applied towards a College of Commissioner Science Degree if prior approval has been obtained from the current Dean of the College of Commissioner Science.
Classes taken at a University of Scouting that are not listed in the B.S.A. National Curriculum (http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/commissioners/training.aspx) will not be accepted for credit.
The college will also honor Commissioner courses taken at the Philmont Training Center. (Please submit a transcript to the College of Commissioner Science Registrar.)
Degree Recognition:
Degree Recognition:
The College of Commissioner Science will continue to recognize degrees earned from other Boy Scouts of America College of Commissioner Science and Philmont Training Center College of Commissioner Science degrees provided that an official transcript is made available.
Award Recognition:
Award Recognition:
The College of Commissioner Science will honor all Commissioner Arrowhead, Commissioner Key, Distinguished Commissioner, and the Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service, and the Doctor of Commissioner Science Awards.
Degree Requirements and Reciprocity Guide.pdfAbout the 2025 Great Trail Council College of Commissioner Science
About the 2025 Great Trail Council College of Commissioner Science
The college on November 8, 2025, will be a live in-person training event for all commissioners hosted by the Great Trail Council. This page has your links to online registration, prices, directions, hotel accommodations, college and dean contacts, program reciprocity, course listings with abstracts and learning objectives. Courses offered in the years before this college are listed at the bottom.
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Classes are from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Classes are from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Doors open with continental breakfast at 7:00 am.
The GTC Commissioner College in 2025 will be organized with an all-new national curriculum as recently revised for our Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, and Continuing Education programs. Our curriculum is organized in each college by our deans. If you have a question, please contact the appropriate Dean below.
What is the College of Commissioner Science?
What is the College of Commissioner Science?
It is a continuing education experience in a college environment designed to help commissioners keep up to date with the newest training materials and problem-solving techniques to help units deliver a quality Scouting program. All Commissioners should attend this nationally recognized program annually. This program has a four-year cycle; Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate Degrees can be earned. Those with their doctorate or taking a break in the process will benefit from courses offered by the continuing education college.
Why do Commissioners Need the College?
Why do Commissioners Need the College?
The mission of the Commissioner is to help the unit succeed and the way to accomplish this mission is through education and practical learning experiences. Just as every Scout deserves a trained leader, every unit deserves a trained commissioner!
A trained Commissioner is an effective Commissioner. Nationally-created training and resources are being updated on a routine basis. Therefore, to stay up to date, Commissioners should view continual learning as an important part of their entire scouting lives.
Even though updated training materials are available on the Scouting America Commissioner Training web page, holding a college gives commissioners the opportunity for interaction with other commissioners, and a better understanding of the material during a group discussion.
The college provides an in-depth knowledge of the essential aspects of the Commissioner’s duties and responsibilities. The final result is a stronger and more knowledgeable Commissioner corps serving units.
What opportunities does the College offer?
What opportunities does the College offer?
Learn the information essentials to provide the best service to scouting units
Enjoy fellowship amongst the commissioner corps
Reinforce and expand on the lessons learned during previous training
Receive updates on commissioner service and Scouting
Who may attend the college?
Who may attend the college?
Prerequisite: Basic Commissioner Training. You may access this training online at my.scouting.org or contact our trainer David Rice.
Anyone from any Council is welcome to attend this college.
Anyone from any Council is welcome to attend this college.
This year’s college curricula are the latest updated courses more aligned with current commissioner service functions. These courses include the integration of Commissioner Tools and place more emphasis on the five commissioner objectives. Course reciprocity will allow credits to transfer to your home council. Directions and nearby hotels will be listed below.
Every Commissioner is expected to attend at least the Continuing Education portion annually.
Every Commissioner is expected to attend at least the Continuing Education portion annually.
2025 Course details for each college
2025 Course details for each college
In 2025, all four program tracks will participate in
In 2025, all four program tracks will participate in
MCS 426 - Let's Grow Scouting Together, a Keynote delivered by Scott Douglass, CST 9 Territory Commissioner.
MCS 426 - Let's Grow Scouting Together, a Keynote delivered by Scott Douglass, CST 9 Territory Commissioner.
The COCS Bachelor Program
The COCS Bachelor Program
Dean Mark Messerly, Great Trail Council (MarkMesserly@hotmail.com)
Dean Mark Messerly, Great Trail Council (MarkMesserly@hotmail.com)
The Bachelor Program consists of courses numbered between 100 and 299, that will augment your commissioner basic training. Basic training should be completed before beginning the bachelor program. The courses cover some of the same topics but they are all covered more in depth and with more student interaction.
Prerequisites:
Current registration as a Commissioner
Current BSA Youth Protection Training Certificate
Completion of “Commissioner Basic Training.” You may access this training online at my.scouting.org.
Course Requirements: Completion of seven courses of instruction, at least five of the courses at the Bachelor's program level.
Courses offered
Courses offered
in numerical order
BCS 101 - Core Concepts of Unit Service
BCS 101 - Core Concepts of Unit Service
The position of commissioner is one of the oldest in Scouting. This course reviews and reinforces the core concepts of unit service and identifies the key skills needed for commissioners to be able to assess the units they serve.
updated 4/2025
BCS 102 - The Charter Renewal Process
BCS 102 - The Charter Renewal Process
Unit and member renewals are now two separate processes. Commissioners participate in and support the timely, error-free completion of the renewals. This course will help the commissioner understand the new process.
BCS 104 - Connecting With Units
BCS 104 - Connecting With Units
At the heart of unit service are visits commissioners make with their units. This course explores methods of connecting to develop a relationship between commissioners and their units and how to document in Commissioner Tools.
New title - updated 3/2025
BCS 111 - The Commissioner and S.A.F.E. Scouting
BCS 111 - The Commissioner and S.A.F.E. Scouting
Scouting America's commitment to safety states that Scouting will not compromise the safety for all Scouts and their leaders and must be reinforced at every opportunity. All are responsible and must hold each other accountable to provide a safe environment. For a commissioner to support the units we serve we need to be aware and knowledgeable of all that is available to support safety within scouting.
updated 5/2025
BCS 115 - Commissioners - The Single Best Resource!
BCS 115 - Commissioners - The Single Best Resource!
An effective commissioner provides unit leadership with information and guidance in their specific program, whether Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts or Exploring. Change is a constant throughout the national level programs, and flowing down this information is essential to ensure quality programs for all BSA youth participants and program participants.
BCS 125 - Commissioner Culture
BCS 125 - Commissioner Culture
Be the Heart, Build relationships, Change lives— is the Commissioner Culture Statement. This course will explore what this statement means and how to put our "culture" into action.
updated 5/2025
The COCS Master Program
The COCS Master Program
The Master Program offers more advanced courses, numbered from 300 to 499. These courses will be most beneficial to an experienced or an administrative commissioner. Again many of the topics are familiar but are explained in more detail with more student interaction.
Prerequisites:
Current registration as a Commissioner
Current BSA Youth Protection Training Certificate
Earned Arrowhead Honor.
Completion of Bachelor's Degree or have been awarded the Commissioner's Key
Course Requirements: Completion of seven (7) additional courses of instruction (total of 14), at least seven of the courses at the Master's level.
Courses offered
Courses offered
in numerical order
MCS 302 - Supporting On-Time Renewal
MCS 302 - Supporting On-Time Renewal
Unit and member renewal are two separate processes. Commissioners support units and retention by, among other things, supporting unit and member renewal. This session will examine how administrative commissioners, in particular unit commissioners, also support on-time unit and membership renewal.
MCS 304 - Service to Units at Risk
MCS 304 - Service to Units at Risk
Early detection and systematic problem-solving is critical to support units when they encounter problems which may prevent them from functioning effectively. This class will provide the commissioner with ways to identify these units and to discuss the processes needed to support the unit's move toward performing as an effective scouting unit.
MCS 309 - Good Commissioners Need Both Head and Heart
MCS 309 - Good Commissioners Need Both Head and Heart
In this course, we will discuss how the servant leadership concept is concept is carried out in service to units using your head and heart.
MCS 310 - Succession Planning
MCS 310 - Succession Planning
Adult leadership changes and to support the orderly change of leadership it is important to encourage each unit to create a long-term succession plan. Commissioners need to understand the process to support the development and maintenance of a succession plan in the units they support.
MCS 312 - Recruiting the 21st Century Commissioner
MCS 312 - Recruiting the 21st Century Commissioner
All commissioners are responsible for recruiting other commissioners. This course familiarizes commissioners on the considerations and techniques that support recruiting volunteers who represent the generations of the 21st century.
MCS 313 - Onboarding Commissioners
MCS 313 - Onboarding Commissioners
In this session, we will explain why we onboard commissioners into their new position and discuss who is responsible for ensuring that onboarding happens. We will also discuss the onboarding process and how it is to be completed. This course benefits any commissioner, especially commissioners that serve as onboarding coaches.
The Doctorate Program
The Doctorate Program
The Doctorate Program consists of the courses, numbered from 500 to 699, that are required to write an approved thesis or complete an approved project. In addition, there are some advanced courses available for the very experienced commissioner.
Prerequisites:
Current registration as a Commissioner
Current BSA Youth Protection Training Certificate
Completion of Master’s Degree
Have been awarded the Commissioner’s Key
Course Requirements: Completion of 10 additional courses of instruction (total of 24) at least five of the courses at the Doctorate or Continuing Education program level. Courses may not have previously been counted toward other college degrees.
Thesis or Project: It is recommended that the topic of a project or thesis be directly related to unit service. There may be specific circumstances under which a topic related to another area of Scouting would be appropriate. Local councils have the authority to approve topics related to another area of Scouting when selecting one directly related to unit service isn't appropriate or practical. The council commissioner or designee may authorize an alternate topic. This can be on any topic related to Commissioner Service.
The topic must be pre-approved by the college of commissioner science committee.
Complete the thesis/project using the approved format as determined by the college.
The topic and final paper must be approved by the doctoral review committee.
All segments (proposal, proposal acceptance, thesis/project completion, thesis acceptance ) of the degree must be approved by the college of commissioner science
Commissioner Performance: Serve for at least one year on the college of commissioner science staff (instructor or support staff), or work with training support for commissioners for at least one year.
Courses Offered
Courses Offered
in order in the morning
DCS 501 - Selecting & Limiting the Scope of Your Project or Thesis Topic
DCS 501 - Selecting & Limiting the Scope of Your Project or Thesis Topic
This session assists the doctoral candidate in selecting a topic for their project or thesis. The candidate will also explore various methods of limiting the focus of the project or thesis so that completion is achievable.
DCS 503 - Developing Your Project
DCS 503 - Developing Your Project
This session discusses various suggestions for developing a project or thesis outline and writing the final report for submission to your doctoral advisor.
DCS 509 - A Legacy of Servant Leadership
DCS 509 - A Legacy of Servant Leadership
Leading is not about what we gain from others but about what others gain from us. Leading well means serving others.
updated 5/2025
DCS 519 - Turning Relationships into Partnerships
DCS 519 - Turning Relationships into Partnerships
As commissioners, building relationships with our units is at the core of what we do. Turning that relationship into a partnership develops trust and shared success, which impacts unit service with our unit leaders.
new 4/2025
DCS Students spend the afternoon jointly with Continuing Education
The COCS Continuing Education Program and All-Council In-Service Day
The COCS Continuing Education Program and All-Council In-Service Day
The Continuing Education curriculum exists apart from the degrees offered by the college. Commissioners who do not actively pursue the training provided by degrees attend continuing education annually to catch up on the latest changes and to renew their commitment to service. Students in the Doctoral Track typically attend the Continuing Education Courses. Courses are numbered from 700 to 899. Courses from the Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate levels may be utilized.
Courses offered
Courses offered
in order by time
Morning
Morning
BCS 121 - Unit Service Tools for Administrative Commissioners
BCS 121 - Unit Service Tools for Administrative Commissioners
Within the suite of technology tools, specific tools assist administrative commissioners in managing the health status of the units in their district or council. This course will examine all of these tools and guide administrative commissioners on how to utilize them best.
DCS 551 Roundtable Today
DCS 551 Roundtable Today
Roundtable is focused customer service for unit leaders. It is the single best resource for networking, training and collaboration - the give and take of information between Scout leaders and commissioners.
New 9/2025
DCS 519 - Turning Relationships into Partnerships
DCS 519 - Turning Relationships into Partnerships
As commissioners, building relationships with our units is at the core of what we do. Turning that relationship into a partnership develops trust and shared success, which impacts unit service with our unit leaders.
New 4/2025
Afternoon
Afternoon
DCS 509 - A Legacy of Servant Leadership
DCS 509 - A Legacy of Servant Leadership
Leading is not about what we gain from others but about what others gain from us. Leading well means serving others.
updated 5/2025
CED829 - SBSA The Role of the Commissioner in Recruiting and Retention (of all programs)
CED829 - SBSA The Role of the Commissioner in Recruiting and Retention (of all programs)
local course, number TBD
CED 830 - Unit Metrics and Assessments
CED 830 - Unit Metrics and Assessments
local course, number TBD
Historical archives of past college courses offered 2017 to 2025
Historical archives of past college courses offered 2017 to 2025
Take a look at all of the courses offered in the past 7 years and use this to help you recall what courses you may have taken. The schedules shown are each one page, but there is a link to each past college page as well.
2019 final course schedule.pdf2019
2019
2018 course schedule.pdf2018
2018
2017 College Courses.pdf2017
2017
These pages are maintained for the Council Commissioner's Service Team by ACC and Webmaster Steve Myers. Please report errors and corrections to him at commissioners@gtcscouting.org.
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