BCS 101
Core Concepts of Commissioner Service
The position of commissioner is one of the oldest in Scouting. This course reviews and reinforces the commissioner core concepts and identifies the key skills needed for commissioner to be able to assess the units they serve.
BCS 104
Contacting Units
This course examines the role of contacts between commissioners and their units. The Commissioner will understand the importance of using Commissioner Tools to record and manage unit contacts, capturing a unit’s strengths and needs.
BCS 105
Resolving Common Unit Issues
The unit commissioner’s goal in supporting a unit is to discover strengths and needs, and to help the unit improve. At the end of this training a commissioner will be able to use the Collaborative Assessment to identify unit strengths and needs, understand early warning signals of unit issues and identify focus areas for observing specific unit needs during regular contacts.
BCS 106
Coaching Leaders
In this course a commissioner will become familiar with the new Coaching Model and how to use it to better serve their units. At the end of the course a commissioner will be able to recognize the importance of coaching, employ coaching methods to address different situations, and evaluate options for resolution.
BCS 107
Journey to Excellence
Journey to Excellence is the BSA’s tool to help leaders plan their program, monitor progress, and assess their Scouting success. This course familiarizes the Commissioner with all aspects of the scoresheet.
BCS 109
The Essential Element (A Servant's Heart)
In 1970, Robert Greenleaf introduced the term “servant leadership”. At the end of this course, you will be able to define the characteristics of servant leadership, understand a servant’s heart, and apply this concept in commissioner service.
BCS 116
Collaborative Assessments
This course examines and discusses the need for collaboration in assessing a unit’s strengths and needs, build a Unit Plan and record in Commissioner Tools.
CED 239 / BCS 118 / CED 713 (2 Sessions)
What is a Disabled Scout - How to Register them - How to help them advance
This course will give an explanation on what is a Disabled Scout via the guidelines of BSA. It will also go over the forms and recommended procedures of filing the correct forms. We will also discuss the different types of units that are available. This course will go over how to get a Scout with Specials Needs to advancement properly. It will highlight what should be done with a scout and his advancements. This course includes combines the information included in the National Commissioner Science Continuing Education Curriculum courses designated BCS118 and CED 713.
CED 209/BCS 129
Emphasizing Duty to God
Scouting teaches youth to do their duty to God through program delivery, special observances, and partnerships with various faith-based organizations, because the Boy Scouts of America believes in an obligation to God, and Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, believed that religion is a key component of the movement. The purpose of this course is to explain how and why Scouting encourages youth to be reverent - and how leaders and Commissioners can help units enhance the Reverent aspects of their programs. In the National Commissioner Sciences Curriculum, this course is designated as BCS129.
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Commissioner Courses (Non-Credit)
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Master of Commissioner Science Degree (MCS)
A. Prerequisites
1. Current registration as a Commissioner
2. Current BSA Youth Protection Training certificate
3. Bachelor of Commissioner Science Degree.
4. The Commissioner Arrowhead Honor
B. Course Requirements
1. Complete a minimum of seven additional courses of instruction (total 14), all seven (7) of the courses must at the Master Degree program level.
C. Commissioner Performance
1. Approval of Council Commissioner, or assigned Assistant Council Commissioner
2. Approval of Council Scout Executive or Council Staff Adviser for Commissioner Service.
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Master's Degree Courses
MCS 305
Resolving Critical Unit Issues
In this course, the Commissioner will practice and discuss writing a detailed assessment and unit service plan for units with critical issues. The course is scenario and discussion driven.
MCS 306
Mentoring Skills
This trusting and caring relationship normally extends beyond Scouting skills into values, beliefs, and feelings. Adults often mentor youth in the program, but for purposes of this discussion we will consider mentoring as a leadership skill required of adults when dealing with adults.
MCS 307
Commissioner Service for Newly Formed Units
In this course, a commissioner will learn the role of a new-unit commissioner and become familiar with working side by side with a new unit organizer.
MCS 311
All About the ADC's Role
This course familiarizes the Commissioner on the purpose of the Assistant District Commissioner and how the role supports commissioner service.
MCS 312
Recruiting a Commissioner Team
Effective recruiting is vision-based. Your success will be greater if you have a vision for your term of service that guides you. In this course, a commissioner will review the various commissioner roles, review the 5 Ps of recruiting, explain the Skill, Thrill, Ill and Kill of recruiting, know the when, where and why of recruiting, and review some recruiting tips.
MCS 313
Onboarding New Commissioners
To effectively develop a commissioner, they need initial training and then onboarding into the role of being a commissioner. This course will discuss what is included in the onboarding process and review of the process of onboarding for ensuring new commissioners understand their role and the support that they have.
MCS 316
Developing the Unit Service Plan
The course is designed to provide understanding of the various components comprising a detailed unit health assessment, identify arising problems and issues, and develop a successful unit service plan based on the outcome of a thorough, collaborative, detailed unit health assessment.
CED 199 / MCS 322
Advanced Special Needs Scouting
Virtually every unit will experience having a youth who has Special Needs (disAbilities). This course will provide Leaders and Commissioners with knowledge to share with unit leaders so they can provide a program which provides these youth with the Scouting opportunities to succeed. This course is more of a Disability Awareness for Scouters and what to look for when a Scout with Special Needs may look into your unit. This course is for all Scouters not just Commissioners.
This course is designated as MCS 322 in the National Commissioner Science curriculum of Masters courses.
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Doctor of Commissioner Science Degree (DCS)
NOTE: Earning the Doctor of Commissioner Science Degree does not automatically qualify you to receive the Doctorate of Commissioner Service Knot Award.
A. Prerequisites
1. Current registration as a Commissioner
2. Current BSA Youth Protection Training certificate
3. Master of Commissioner Science Degree
4. Awarded the Commissioner Key
B. Course Requirements
1. Complete a minimum of ten additional courses of instruction for a total of twenty-four
2. At least five of the twenty-four must be from the Doctorate Degree level training.
3. Courses may not have previously been counted toward other college degrees.
C. Thesis or Project
1. This can be on any topic related to Commissioner Service.
2. The topic must be pre-approved by the Dean of the College, the Dean of Doctoral studies, and/or the Doctoral Review Committee.
3. Complete the thesis or project using the approved format as determined by the college.
D. The completed thesis or project must be approved by the Doctoral Review Committee (See page 16). If a review committee is not used, at a minimum the Council Commissioner and the College Dean need to make the approval.
E. Commissioner Performance
1. 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
2. Approval of the Dean of the College, or Staff Advisor for Commissioner Service
3. Approval of Council Commissioner, or assigned Assistant Council Commissioner
4. Approval of your Council Scout Executive or Council Staff Advisor for Commissioner Service
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Doctorate of Commissioner Science Courses
(offered via Doctoral Program)
Selecting Your Project or Thesis Topic
This course will introduce you to the concept of a thesis or project and will provide an overview of the application and doctoral degree process. Required for Doctoral Degree.
DCS 502
Limiting the Scope of the Topic
This course will provide you with ideas on reducing your thesis/project topic to a workable size. The course will also help you get ideas for your thesis or project research. Required for Doctoral Degree.
DCS 503 / DOC 605A Developing Your Project or Thesis
This course will cover developing your thesis/project outline and provide you with a variety of suggestions for researching, writing and revising your thesis or project. Required for Doctoral Degree.
DCS 504 / DOC 606
Thesis Project Workshop (Panel)
This is a panel workshop hosted by scouters who have already completed their doctorate. The panel will provide insights into working on a thesis; answer any questions you have; and help you get started on or complete your thesis/project. Not required for Doctoral Degree, but very helpful.
Commissioner Recruiting Workshop
This session is designed to discuss best practices for recruiting administrative commissioners creating a team to recruit, develop a recruitment strategy and how to reach out to prospects.
Building Meaning Relationships
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
DCS 516
Succeeding with the Unit Service Plan
This program will give you guidance on providing unit assistance using the service plan developed for the unit. The course will also discuss the types of data needed to determine unit success across the district.
DOC 614
Doctoral Counseling
This is an individualized session to help you narrow down and finalize your thesis/project proposal, obtain approval of your proposal, and develop a quick outline. You will be assigned a Thesis Advisor at this session. THIS IS A NON-CREDIT COURSE required for Doctoral Degree.
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Continuing Education Commissioner Science Courses
(Offered via Continuing Education Department)
CED 239 / BCS 118 / CED 713 (2 Sessions)
What is a Disabled Scout - How to Register them - How to help them advance
This course will give an explanation on what is a Disabled Scout via the guidelines of BSA. It will also go over the forms and recommended procedures of filing the correct forms. We will also discuss the different types of units that are available. This course will go over how to get a Scout with Specials Needs to advancement properly. It will highlight what should be done with a scout and his advancements. This course includes combines the information included in the National Commissioner Science Continuing Education Curriculum courses designated BCS118 and CED 713.
This page updated 9/11/2020
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