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 109 The Essential Element (A Servant’s Heart) updated 10/1/2021.

Faculty: Craig Wrobleski

Course Description: National Course

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

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

DCS-501     Selecting Your Project or Thesis Topic (new 10/31/2022)

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-503     Developing Your Project or Thesis (new 10/31/2022)

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-509     Legacy of Servant Leadership (new, 12/31/2022)

Faculty: Sherri Buck

Course Description:  National Course

In one of your first CCS experiences, you more than likely participated in a class called The Essential Element (A Servant’s Heart). That Bachelor’s level class introduced the concept of servant leadership and established the expectation that commissioners served units and other volunteers. Simply put, servant leadership is people-centered, unselfish and an investment in the lives of others. It is a sincere desire to help rather than control. It reflects an inward sense of morality – right vs. wrong rather than what’s in it for me. That is the difference between leadership that works and leadership that endures.

Course Objectives:

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

• Explore characteristics of servant leaders,

• Understand servant leadership in Scouting, and

• Recognize the legacy of servant leadership

Courses Offered

DCS 509 – Legacy of Servant Leadership (NEW!! 12/31/2022 )

Faculty: Sherri Buck

Course Description:  National Course

In one of your first CCS experiences, you more than likely participated in a class called The Essential Element (A Servant’s Heart). That Bachelor’s level class introduced the concept of servant leadership and established the expectation that commissioners served units and other volunteers. Simply put, servant leadership is people-centered, unselfish and an investment in the lives of others. It is a sincere desire to help rather than control. It reflects an inward sense of morality – right vs. wrong rather than what’s in it for me. That is the difference between leadership that works and leadership that endures.

Course Objectives:

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

• Explore characteristics of servant leaders,

• Understand servant leadership in Scouting, and

• Recognize the legacy of servant leadership