Prerequisites:

1. Current registration as a Commissioner

2. Current BSA Youth Protection Training Certificate

3. 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:

The courses below and faculty are subject to change. 

BCS 107 Journey to Excellence

Faculty: TBD

Course description: 

JTE is the BSA’s tool for helping leaders plan their program, monitor progress, and assess their Scouting success. Scouting success takes many forms, and JTE success employs a “balanced scorecard” as a result. The standards enable both large Scout units and small ones to succeed — as long as they provide good Scouting to youth. In addition, The JTE scorecard provides commissioners with information that enables them to give the greatest possible help and support to the unit.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Explain the value of the unit’s use of Journey to Excellence. 

• Relate the use of JTE to help the unit recognize the benefit of building their program around the Journey to Excellence criteria. 

• Identify resources to help improve Journey to Excellence performance in the unit. 

BCS 106 Coaching Leaders

Faculty: TBD

Course Description: 

In this course, a commissioner will become familiar with the new Coaching model and how to use it to better serve their units.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Recognize the importance of coaching

• Employ coaching methods to address different situations

• Evaluate options for resolution

BCS 109 The Essential Element (A Servant’s Heart)

Faculty: TBD

Course Description:

In 1970, Robert Greenleaf introduced the term “servant leadership.” He wrote an essay titled “The Servant as Leader” that was later expanded into a book. That book is a very influential management text that launched the servant leadership movement. However, the concept is thousands of years old and stems, at least partly, from religious teachings on leadership.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Define the characteristics of servant leadership

• Understand a servant’s heart

• Apply this concept in unit service

BCS 117 The Commissioner and the Unit Key 3

Faculty: TBA

Course Description:

This course examines the roles of the Unit Key 3 and how a commissioner works with and coaches each.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to

• IDENTIFY the roles of the unit Key 3.

• UNDERSTAND the need to CREATE a working bond between the unit Key 3 and the unit commissioner.

BCS 114 Understanding and Communicating with Today’s Leaders

Faculty: TBD

Course Description:

We, as commissioners, need to understand the differences in relating to the generations involved in scouting and inclusiveness. As commissioners, we can embrace the differences and similarities to make the scouting program stronger. A lack of understanding across generations can have detrimental effects on communication and relationships. In this session, we are going to focus on how these new generations are affecting the BSA and how the BSA can target Gen Xers and Millennials.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Identify the characteristics of generations within Scouting’s leaders.

• Understand the differences in relating to generations involved in scouting

• Embrace the differences and similarities to make the scouting program stronger.

BCS 116 Collaborative Assessments

Faculty: TBD

Course Description:

This course examines and discusses the need for collaboration in assessing the unit’s strengths and needs to build a Unit Service Plan with the unit leaders and record progress in Commissioner Tools in working toward their goals.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Understand the importance of the Collaborative Assessment 

• Develop and utilize a Unit Service Plan

• Assess and record results of the Unit Service Plan in Commissioner Tools

BCS 201 The Commissioner and Cub Scouting

Faculty: Gregory Upole

Course Description:

The purpose of The Commissioner and Cub Scouting is to focus on retention. It is designed for new and seasoned Commissioners to learn more about and understand Pack level challenges and have an in-depth knowledge of the program's ins and outs. Section content will include Recruiting, Membership, Program, and relating/teaching information to the Pack Leaders.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Identify the methods, challenges, and goals of recruiting and membership

•  Identify/describe facets of the Pack program

•  Teach/coach Pack leaders regarding these subjects

Prerequisites: 

1. Current registration as a Commissioner

2. Current BSA Youth Protection Training Certificate

3. Completion of Master’s Degree

4. 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.

1. The topic must be pre-approved by the college of commissioner science committee.

2. Complete the thesis/project using the approved format as determined by the college.

3. The topic and final paper must be approved by the doctoral review committee.

4. 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

DCS-501     Selecting Your Project or Thesis Topic

Faculty: David Rice

Course Description:

This session assists doctoral candidates in selecting their project or thesis concept.

Course objectives:

1. Identify what constitutes a good topic or focus area.

2. Distinguish between a project and thesis.

3. Describe DCS Degree and Knot requirements

DCS-502     Limiting the Scope of the Topic 

Faculty: David Rice

Course Description:

Doctoral candidates explore various procedures to reduce their topic to a workable size. A suggested approval process will also be shared.

Course objectives:

1. Select a specific project / thesis topic.

2. Complete S.M.A.R.T. analysis for a selected topic

DCS-503     Developing Your Project or Thesis

Faculty: David Rice

Course Description:

This session covers the project or thesis outline and a variety of suggestions for writing and revising the report.

Course objectives:

1. Identify the main parts of a project report / thesis.

2. Develop a first draft outline.

3. Identify methods of gathering information.

4. Give examples of common writing errors to be avoided when writing the project report or thesis

DCS-504     Project  Thesis Open Workshop Forum

Faculty: David Rice

Course Description:

This Q and A open forum provides doctoral candidates an opportunity to review completed projects and theses instilling confidence that this task is attainable.

Course objectives:

1. Describe challenges / solutions faced by Doctors of Commissioner Science.

2. Evaluate other possible topics for project or thesis.

3. Discover possible solutions to concerns during Q and A period

Presentations of Doctoral Thesis

Those candidates ready will present their thesis in this session.

Courses Offered

DCS 506 – Coaching for Administrative Commissioners

Faculty: TBD

Course Description:

Coaching is about relationships. It is the ability to listen, to observe, to share, to support and to engage in a way that will help others solve their own problems, grow as individuals and attain their full potential. Coaching is the art of helping others arrive at their conclusions through their own analysis of the situation and facts

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Understand the principles of effective coaching.

• Discuss the fundamental elements of coaching for and by administrative Commissioners.

• Examine coaching’s role in building strong relationships within the Commissioner team.

CED-716 Conflict Resolution for Commissioners

Faculty: Andrew Paisley

Course Description:

Conflict arises from differences. It occurs whenever people disagree over their values, motivations, perceptions, ideas, or desires. Sometimes these differences look trivial, but when a conflict triggers strong feelings, a deep personal need is at the core of the problem, a need to feel safe and secure, a need to feel respected and valued.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Analyze the source and cause of conflict

• Identify tools to help mediate conflict

• Learn to apply the tools specific situations

CED 713 – Advancement for Scouts with Special Needs – The Commissioner’s Role

Faculty: Chris Scott

Course Description:

Virtually every unit will experience having a youth who has disabilities. This course will provide Commissioners with knowledge to share with unit leaders so they can provide an Advancement program which provides these youth with the Scouting opportunities to succeed.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

DCS 516 – Succeeding With the Unit Service Plan

Faculty: Bruce Boyle

Course Description:

The Unit Service Plan is the roadmap to unit success. With appropriate guidance the commissioner staff can provide significant unit assistance. The district administrative s will need comprehensive data to set the course for unit success across the district.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Understand the Unit Service Plan from the district point of view.

• Discover the many sources of detailed unit performance information.

• Understand the relationship of the district committee and unit success.

• Discover methods to confirm unit performance over time.

MCS 304 – Commissioner Service for Units At Risk

Faculty: David Rice 

Course Description:

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.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Define units at risk

• Explain the processes of support

• Identify the responsibilities of commissioners

DCS 514 – Building Meaningful Relationships

Faculty: 

Course Description:

Commissioner service is all about relationships. This session suggests ways in which commissioners may go about building and maintaining positive relationships with those they serve. It also discusses possible pitfalls that can undermine relationships.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this session, each participant should be able to 

• Develop a top ten list that people seek in a positive relationship. 

• Explain one way to measure relationships.

• Explore possible pitfalls to avoid - actions or inactions that can put stress on relationships.

• Explain how to rebuild a stressed relationship