2025 College of Commissioner Science

College of Commissioner Science (CCS) will be held June 7 at:  

The College of Commissioner Science is an annual training event for registered commissioners, new or perspective commissioners, or anyone wanting to know more about what a commissioner does.  Attending this event the commissioner stay current in policy, techniques, and application of commissioner service to units. These training courses, developed and maintained by the National Commissioner Service Team, provide excellent continuation to the training you received when you first came on board as a Commissioner.   While this training is geared towards BSA Volunteers registered as Commissioners, anyone may attend CCS Courses.

The College offers the opportunity to:
● Learn the information essentials to provide the best service to scouting units
● Provide fellowship amongst the commissioner corps
● Reinforce and expand on the lessons learned during previous training
● Provide updates on commissioner service and scouting

Recognition is Available for Attending the College of Commissioner Science

The college has a suggested curriculum format in unit service training for all commissioners that can be achieved over four Colleges of Commissioner Science. There are three degree program levels:
● Bachelor: an introductions to Unit Service
● Master’s: More advanced commissioner training
● Doctorate: continued commissioner training and a project to help other commissioners

Because CCS Courses are standardized by National BSA, all classes taken at other Councils’ College of Commissioner Science can be counted towards BAC CCS Degrees.

Bring your own lunch!!  No meal will be provided for this College of Commissioner Science!!  Morning refreshments and afternoon snacks will be available during the College

Baltimore Area Council College of Commissioner Science Details

Courses from the National College of Commissioner Science curriculum at all levels will be offered. These will cover subject matter enhancing the knowledge and performance of each Commissioner. You may complete a degree or refresh your skills by taking a course of interest. Course content is directed toward unit service rather than program areas and therefore courses offered in a local University of Scouting or Volunteer Training Summit do not meet the requirements for any of the degrees in a College of Commissioner Science. 

The Baltimore Area Council College of Commissioner Science will accept a commissioner’s coursework from any Scouting America College of Commissioner Science provided an official transcript listing courses from the national curriculum is made available. Commissioners who participated in local courses must have the approval of their college dean or Council Commissioner to use those courses to fulfill degree requirements. Classes taken at a University of Scouting that are not listed in the Scouting America National Commissioner Development Curriculum (https://www.scouting.org/commissioners/training/college-of-commissioner-science/) will not be accepted for credit. 

The degree requirements for the College of Commissioner Service are as follows:

Bachelor of Commissioner Science Degree

Prerequisites:

• Current registration as a commissioner
• Current Scouting America Youth Protection Training certificate
• Completion of a Commissioner Basic Training Course

Course Requirements: Completion of seven (7) courses of instruction, including at least five (5) from the National College of Commissioner Science curriculum at the Bachelor’s level. The remaining two (2) courses can be locally created and focus on unit service or be 2 more of the national courses.

Master’s of Commissioner Science Degree

Prerequisites:

• Current registration as a Commissioner and a current Scouting America Youth Protection Training Certificate
• Completion of Bachelor of Commissioner Science degree
• Earn the Arrowhead Honor

Course Requirements: Completion of seven (7) additional courses of instruction (total of 14), including at least five (5) from the National College of Commissioner Science curriculum at the Master’s level. The remaining two (2) CCS courses can be locally created and focus on unit service. CED 716 – Navigating Difficult Conversations can also qualify as well as two(2) additional CCS master’s level courses.

Doctorate of Commissioner Science Degree

Prerequisites:

• Current registration as a Commissioner
• Current Scouting America Youth Protection Training Certificate
• Completion of Master of Commissioner Science degree
• Earn the Commissioner Key

Course Requirements:

• Completion of ten (10) additional courses of instruction (total of 24), including at least five (5) courses from the National College of Commissioner Science curriculum at the doctorate level. The remaining five (5) CCS courses can be locally created and focus on unit service. CED 716 – Navigating Difficult Conversations can also qualify. Elective courses may not have been previously applied toward your bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
• Thesis or Project: The topic of a project or thesis needs to be related to unit service and the Commissioner’s primary registration – (District Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner, Unit Commissioner, Roundtable Commissioner, etc.). The topic must be pre-approved by the College of Commissioner Science Doctorate program dean or designee. The Council Commissioner or designee may authorize an alternate topic if it is deemed appropriate. The finished project or thesis must be approved by the doctoral dean or designee.
• Commissioner Performance
• Serve on a College of Commissioner Science staff (instructor or support staff), or work with training support for Commissioners for at least one year.

The award of the Doctoral Degree must be approved by the council commissioner or designee.

The worksheet at this link will help the Commissioner maintain the record of their training and awards as well as the approval signatures. 

https://pdscouting.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/3-DCS-Knot-Personal-Tracking-Record.v3.pdf