Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) is a program of Professional certifications awarded by Microsoft. Individual certifications are awarded upon passing of one or more exams. The MCP program itself is designed for both IT Professionals and developers. Beneath the MCP program is a variety of more targeted and focused certifications (e.g. Microsoft Certified IT Professional, etc.).
Like Apple, Cisco, Oracle, Red Hat, Sun and Ubuntu programs, the certifications mainly focus on their respective product, as opposed to employment aptitude tests designed for programmer trainee jobs.[1] These branches of technical series with the MC (Microsoft Certified) prefix include Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), Microsoft Certified Master (MCM), Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA), Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD), Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS).[2]
Each exam costs approximately $150 USD[3] . Exams usually take between 2 and 3 hours to complete and consist of between 40 and 90 multiple choice, drag and drop, solution building questions and simulated content within exams where students are required to perform certain common administrative tasks appropriate for the topic at hand.
MCSE stands for the certification course "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer". The MCSE program began with Windows NT 3.1 and is today one of the most widely known Microsoft certification programs. It is available for the Platforms viz., Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003.[4] Microsoft has, in effect, discontinued the MCSE certifications for future versions of Windows, replacing the single Platform MCSE award with a plethora of other more narrowly focused certifications.
Each platform MCSE award required passing a different set of examinations. MCSE qualified individuals will have the ability to provide business solutions by appropriate design and implementation of the requisite infrastructure. MCSE Certification Program is useful for Technical Support & Systems Engineers, Technical Consultants, Network and Systems Analysts and also for regular Software Engineers / Software Professionals.
There are many ways of obtaining MCSE training, including training at local training centers. MCSE training can be done even at home by using CD-ROMS or through books. The Certification courses usually have extensive / elaborate contents and some of the basic tutorials can guide a candidate to pass the examination, if the candidate has a basic knowledge of Microsoft systems.
The topic of these Certification examinations include network security, computer networking infrastructure, Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, and other topics of both general networking interest as well as specific Microsoft products.
There are specializations also available for the MCSE's along other different tracks. For 2003, these tracks were Security and Messaging. For obtaining these specializations, it was required that an individual has to do an associated Elective, design and then an extra core exam.[5] The denotation that is usually used for these Certification Programs on resumes etc., are MCSE:Security and MCSE:Messaging.
MCSE 2000 Certification has in total seven examinations viz., four operating examinations, two electives examinations and one design examination. The topics included are configuring, installing and administering Windows 2000 professional, Windows 2000 Server and implementing and administering, Windows 2000 Network infrastructure and Windows 2000 directory service.
MCSE 2003 Certification has in total seven examinations viz., four networking examinations, one design examination, one client operating system examination and one elective examination. The elective examination can be selected from a broad range of topics, the common ones being Exchange, Security, SQL and CompTia A+ and Security +. The topics include configuring, installing and administering Windows XP Professional, implementing, planning and maintaining, Windows Server 2003 environment, Server 2003 network infrastructure and Server 2003 Active Directory infrastructure. The topics also include Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange, Active Directory, Network infrastructure, network security, and topics on general networking and Microsoft products only.
The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification Program helps to validate an individual's ability to manage and troubleshoot network environments based on the Windows Server 2003 operating system. As an alternative to the electives on the MCSA, electives like table, certifications or certification combination may substitute as MCSA electives. For example, CompTIA A+ and Network+ together or CompTIA A+ and Server+ together can be credited and substituted as an elective through a Microsoft and CompTIA partnership agreement. An individual may also substitute Security+ alone, which counts for the elective and one of two exams for the "Security Specialization." Security+ counts for MCSA 2003 and MCSE 2003. This is just one of the cost effective ways for earning an MCSA, if candidates are already certified in other areas of the Certification program.
The Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) certification program is the mid level programming certification offered by Microsoft, leading to the MCSD. To fulfill the requirements of this certification program, an individual has to pass a total of three examinations of which two are core examinations and one is an elective examination. Microsoft has declared that this certification program will focus on the needs of developers who use .NET Framework 1.0 and 1.1 versions. Developers using .NET Framework 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 are generally expected to consider undergoing Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist or MCTS certification and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer or MCPD certification programs. This exam retired on Octo010.
The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) certification was the highest level of certification programming offered by Microsoft, prior to the release of the .NET Framework 2.0. To fulfill the requirements of the certification, an individual has to pass total of five examinations which consist of four core examinations and one elective examination. Some of the core examinations are also the requirements for MCAD or Microsoft Certified Application Developer certification program. Microsoft has declared that this certification will focus towards the needs of developers who use .NET Framework 1.0 and 1.1 versions. Developers using .NET Framework 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 are generally expected to consider undergoing Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist or MCTS certification and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer or MCPD certification programs.
The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certification program credential is meant for database administrators, who will implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases. The certification is appropriate for individuals who derive physical database designs, develop logical data models, create physical databases, create data services by using Transact-SQL, manage and maintain databases, configure and manage security, monitor and optimize databases, and install and configure SQL Server. This certification program requires passing three core examinations and one elective examination. According to Microsoft, people who operate SQL Server 2005 should apply for other certifications such as the MCITP - Microsoft Certified I.T. Professional or MCTS - Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, rather than applying for the MCDBA - Microsoft Certified Database Administrator. The complete MCDBA certification course lasts about 250 hours.
The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) certification program demonstrates that a technician can competently support end users and troubleshoot desktop environments running Microsoft Windows XP operating systems. MCDST candidates are required to pass two examinations viz., Exam 70-271 ("Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Windows XP Operating System") and Exam 70-272 ("Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Windows XP Operating System"). The MCDST certification track was expired on June 30th 2011.
The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), previously named as Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) is a certification program for using the Microsoft Office suite for business applications. Though listed under the MCP Certification Programs, it is not officially proclaimed as an MCP Certification. The MOS examinations are managed by the third party company Certiport, rather than Microsoft. Those individuals who pass the four main office products, Access, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; are also awarded the title of "Microsoft Office Master". A Microsoft Office Master who is also a trainer at an approved site, using courseware approved by Microsoft may also apply for, and obtain, the title of "Microsoft Master Instructor" or MMI certification. As of November 2008, this certification may be used as part of the process of becoming an MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer). Prior to this, an MCT applicant was required to go through courses or pass certifications (such CompTIA's CTT+, or "Certified Technical Trainer") where they had to actually *prove* they had the ability to teach. Now it appears, that anyone can become an MMI simply by passing enough of the MS Office certifications and proving that they teach (with approved courseware, etc.) at an approved site. The requirement to actually prove the ability to teach others no longer applies.
It appears (January 2007) that a new set of qualifications had replaced the MOS / MOUS certification programs for Office 2007. The direct application specific skills are known as the “Microsoft Certified Application Specialist” or “MCAS” for each of Office 2007 Applications and a new certification program known as “Microsoft Certified Application Professional” or “MCAP” based on how to complete more common business tasks came in to vogue. Though these qualification examinations will be managed by Certiport at present, it appears that other examination providers may also become involved in the process, in future. As with the Microsoft Office Master certification, a trainer may obtain the MCAS:I or "Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Instructor" certification by showing that they currently teach, whatever their ability, at an approved site using approved courseware. The MCAS:I also fulfills the teaching credential and MCP requirements of becoming a "Microsoft Certified Trainer" [MCT]. Indeed, in November 2008; all current MMI's and MCAS:I's were invited by Microsoft to apply for the MCT - for free. The fee, normally several hundred dollars, was waived until the next April for those instructors approved for the MCT.
Those individuals who had obtained the MCAS prior to this were also issued Office "Master" certificates.
This certification program has the most current set of Microsoft Office examinations for Office 2007.
The Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) certification program is for individuals who intend to train users who want to obtain any of the other certification programs of Microsoft. They must have some type of certification from the Microsoft Certification Courses, they must also prove their instructional presentation skills, obtain a "Metrics that Matter" ID and apply and pay to become a MCT. In Australia, many MCT's have either a diploma or degree in teaching with reference to primary or secondary education. Further, it is also a mandatory requirement for many training companies, especially Microsoft Gold Partners to have MCT's with a degree in teaching.
Requirements for MCT's have changed throughout the era of this certification program. During the Windows NT era, an MCT had to have (1) a premier certification and (2) have passed the examination associated with a course he delivers. Instructors also had to continue to earn Continuing Education Credits or C.E.C.'s to maintain the certification title. They were required to deliver a minimum number of days of official training each year to maintain the certification title.
During the Windows 2000 era, the requirement to pass the examinations associated with a class was just relaxed. This meant that an MCT with MCSE could teach programming classes and a MCDBA could teach engineering courses.
For the XP/Server 2003 era, even the requirements of premier certifications like MCSE, MCDBA, MCSD, etc. were removed. CEC's and training requirements were removed in total. Only an annual fee was required to be paid to maintain an MCT. MCDST's could also be certified as a trainer. Today an MCT can be certified in only office applications and hold the trainer certification title.
With the 2007/2008 generation of certification programs viz., MCTS and MCITP, the trainers were tied to "competencies". Each Microsoft Official Course or MOC requires one or more specialized certifications to be held in addition to MCT certification so that the delivery of title to be allowed under the program. There were 54 different competencies as of March 2010 (with last update May 2009). For example, to deliver a Course 50213A (related to Data Protection Manager 2007), the instructor requires the certification title MCTS: System Center Configuration Manager 2007 certification.
Quality control is somewhat monitored via student evaluations submitted to Metrics That Matter. There are not, however, any standards on minimum score requirements.
With Microsoft relying more on "Community Courseware" in the Microsoft Learning Courseware Library than MOC, new loopholes once again allow uncertified instructors to provide public classes. A Microsoft Office instructor or MCT, certified in only Word 2003, for example, can legally deliver an ISA Server 2006 class (Course 50002A).
With the exception of Obsolete Certifications, Microsoft generally offers upgrade paths which allow a person holding a previous generation certification to upgrade to the current generation paths by sitting upgrade exams. Typically this is a single normal exam, usually consisting of a mixture of questions from the composite exams making up the current certification path. Using this upgrade feature, professionals in the field can maintain their certification standards without having to start from scratch every few years.
With the introduction of the Professional Series the MCTS, MCITP, or MCPD certifications will retire when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology. Typically, mainstream support is discontinued 7 to 10 years after the initial product release. When support ends, the related certification will retire.[6]
Microsoft's initial communications about the Professional Series certifications, was announced that a "refresh" or re-certification of the MCITP and MCPD credentials would be required within three years. This policy has changed. To address the needs of the worldwide customer base, the updated policy is to retire a certification when mainstream support for the related technology retires. There is no action required if a Professional Series certification was earned before the policy change; the updated policy applies to the certification, which will be valid until mainstream support for the related technology retires.
There are 5 upgrade paths that lead only to an MCTS certification. All prior certification paths lead to either an MCPD or MCITP certification, which will indirectly confer the relevant prerequisite MCTS certification on the successful candidate. However, there is no actual restriction enforced and a candidate holding any variant of the MCAD may take any of three MCAD to MCPD paths, and an MCSD can take any of the four MCP to MCAD paths.
The upgrade paths for the Professional Developer series require that candidates have a minimum existing Microsoft Certified Application Developer certification, although since this is a prerequisite for the Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer series, this also qualifies. Generally candidates who specialised in Windows Forms development in the MCAD would upgrade to the MCPD: Windows Developer, Web developers would take the MCPD: Web Developer path, and MCSD holders would upgrade to the MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer. However, there is no actual restriction enforced and a candidate holding any variant of the MCAD three MCAD to MCPD paths, and an MCSD can take any of the four MCSD to MCAD paths.
MCAD/MCSD to MCPD: Web Developer This certification requires that one pass the following examination:
MCAD/MCSD to MCPD: Windows Developer This certification requires that one pass the following examination:
MCAD to MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer This certification requires that one pass the following examinations:
MCSD to MCPD following examinations:
MCDST to MCITP: Enterprise Support This certification requires that one pass the following examination:
MCDST to MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7 This certification requires that one pass the following examination:
MCDBA to MCITP: Database Administrator This certification requires that one pass the following examination:
There are several courses, boot camps and practice tests from different vendors offering preparation material for Microsoft certification exams. Bootcamps normally provide residential program that includes food and lodging. These courses are meant for busy professionals who do not have enough time for self preparation or wish to get trained by professional trainers. Microsoft Press provides several books towards Microsoft certification exams preparation. Books are normally the first place to explore Microsoft certification options, and preparation. Apart from Microsoft Press books, there are other reputed publishers like Sybex, and others. In addition to books, Microsoft Learning also offers courses for each of the exams.
Many vendors, usually Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, such as Avantus, NetAssist have instructor-led, formal classroom courses using Microsoft IT Academy source materials including Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC). For instance: MCSE Windows 2000 Server used MOC Courses: 2151, 2152, 2153, & 2154; and MOC 2072 Administering a Microsoft SQL 2000 Server Database.[7][8]
Apart from books, there are several practice tests vendors that offer pre-certification exams. These mock exams almost mimic actual exams, and normally priced much less than the actual exam. Several user forums are available for certification preparation where most questions are answered by other forum users.
Experts and past candidates recommend not only reading more than one book, but spending a good amount of time practicing the concepts on computers on a test environment. After practicing and reading, it's also recommended to take sample exams before taking the Microsoft exam.
Microsoft has released a new three-tiered certification hierarchy. It consists of three series and four credentials that introduce an entry-level Technology Series composed of the "Technology Specialist" credential, a Professional Series composed of the "IT Professional" and "Professional Developer" credentials, and the Master Series composed of the "Master" credential. There also exists a new Architect Series composed of the "Microsoft Certified Architect" program which consists of a Review Board interview.
The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credential enables professionals to target specific technologies, and are generally the first step toward the Professional-level certifications. There are currently 20 MCTS certifications which can be roughly grouped into the following specializations, each requiring certain examinations to be passed:
Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007
Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007
Forefront Client and Server, Configuration
Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuration
Office SharePoint Server 2007, Application Development
Sharepoint 2010, Application Development
.NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications
.NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications
.NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications
.NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Applications
.NET Framework 3.5, Windows Presentation Foundation Applications
.NET Framework 3.5, Windows Communication Foundation Applications
.NET Framework 3.5, Windows Workflow Foundation Applications
.NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Applications
.NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Applications
.NET Framework 4, Windows Applications
.NET Framework 4, Web Applications
.NET Framework 4, Service Communications Applications
SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence
SQL Server 2008, Installation and Maintenance
SQL Server 2008, Database Development
SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
SQL Server 2008 Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database
SQL Server 2008 Design Database
SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence
Upgrade SQL Server 2005 Certification to SQL Server 2008
Upgrade SQL Server 2005 Certification to SQL Server 2008, Database Development
Upgrade SQL Server 2005 Certification to SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence
Live Communications Server 2005
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Configuration
Windows Mobile 5.0 Applications
Windows Mobile 5.0, Implementing and Managing
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Application Development
Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuration
Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops, Deploying and Maintaining
Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration
Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 MCSA to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specializations
Windows 7 and Office 2010, Deployment
Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator
The Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) credential is designed for .NET software developers and are based around .NET 3.5 and .NET 4.0, Visual Studio 2008 and 2010 and SQL Server 2005 and 2008.
Windows Phone Developer
Windows Azure Developer
Windows Developer 4
Web Developer 4
Windows Developer 3.5
ASP .NET Developer 3.5
Web Developer, Visual Studio 2005
Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5
SharePoint Developer 2010
The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credential helps validate that an individual has the comprehensive set of skills necessary to perform a particular job role, such as database administrator or enterprise messaging administrator. It provides widely recognized, objective validation of a candidate's ability to perform critical, current IT job roles by using Microsoft technologies to their best advantage.[9]
These certifications are designed for IT professionals including administrators and support personnel in addition to database specialists (both administrators and developers). To obtain an MCITP certification, you must first obtain one or more prerequisite MCTS certifications, and then pass the qualifying "PRO" exam(s):
Database Administrator
Database Developer
Business Intelligence Developer
Database Administrator 2008
Database Developer 2008
Business Intelligence Developer 2008
Enterprise Messaging Administrator 2007
Enterprise Messaging Administrator 2010
Consumer Support Technician
Enterprise Support Technician
Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7
Server Administrator
Enterprise Administrator
Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator
Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007
SharePoint Administrator 2010
The Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification[10] enables senior-level IT professionals to demonstrate and validate their technical expertise on Microsoft Server products with exclusive, advanced training and certification available only direct from Microsoft. It is a prerequisite for the Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) Series. Eligibility into the program first requires successful completion of specific and related MCITP certifications (and/or other Microsoft exams). Candidates must then submit an application, subject to review and approval by Microsoft, before being accepted.
Currently available MCM Certifications
MCM Certifications that are no longer available
The Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certification is the pinnacle of Microsoft certification. Eligibility into the program first requires Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification in a relevant product. Candidates must then be reviewed and approved by Microsoft to be entered into the program.
Accepted candidates must prepare a work history dossier, architectural solution case study, and a document that demonstrates the relevance of their skills and work experience. Following that, candidates must attend a 2-hour Review Board interview, which consists of at least two MCAs. The candidate must make a 30-minute presentation to the board, and then be able to successfully defend the quality and viability of the case study against questions from the board.
Currently available MCA Certifications
Other MCA Certifications available soon
Previously, Microsoft also offered two "broad" MCA certifications that focused on using a variety of Microsoft and non-Microsoft technologies to deliver customer solutions. However, effective May 1, 2010 Microsoft discontinued these certifications in favor of the Microsoft-centric MCA programs.[11][12][13]
Discontinued MCA Certifications
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