MCTS: June 2008 Archives
There are more Microsft certifications than ever, which means that choosing one isn't as easy as it used to be.
Another reason for this article is that, as of this writing, Microsoft forces you to install their new Silverlight plug in before you can view certification information, and many of us would rather not do that...
The Hottest Options
If you are working with the latest Microsoft technologies, you will want to earn a certification from the newest generation, we'll start with those.
The most recent generation certifications are as follows:
- Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) -individual products and technologies.
- Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) - job role focus added on top of MCTS.
- Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) - developers using Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft .NET Framework.
- Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) - highly experienced experts with strong managerial and technical skills.
There are also two instructor certifications:
- Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) - required qualification to teach official Microsoft courses.
- Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant (MCLC) - MCTs who are also consultants.
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) is the building block for higher level Microsoft certifications. It is roughly equivalent to the original Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) designation. It is product focused, for individuals who want to demonstrate expertise with individual Microsoft products or technologies. MCTS certification options range from Windows Server 2008 all the way back to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and cover just about everything between. They typically require passing one to three exams in your chosen area of focus. When mainstream support for the particular product expires, the certification will be retired.
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) takes product specific expertise and adds a job role on top of it, such as administrator, developer, or support technician. Each MCITP has a related MCTS requirement, so you'll have to earn that first. With the exception of the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator which consists of five exams, each of the MCITP roles requires one to two MCTS exams plus one to two MCITP exams. For example, to earn MCITP: Server Administrator you would need to pass two MCTS exams (Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration and Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration) and then pass the MCITP Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator exam. The retirement policy is the same as it is for MCTS designations.
Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) is for application developers who work with Microsoft Visual Studio and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. This certification takes MCTS skills and adds on specific developer roles using these technologies. The current MCPD certifications focus on Visual Studio 2008, but you can still earn certifications on Visual Studio 2005. For Visual Studio .NET, the older Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) is the certification to earn.
The three MCPD options for Visual Studio 2008 are Windows Developer, ASP.NET Developer, or Enterprise Application Developer. For a Windows or ASP.NET designation, you must first earn the MCTS certification on the same technology (2 exams) and then pass the related MCPD exam. The Enterprise Developer title is much more demanding, requiring you to earn multiple MCTS certifications before taking MCPD Enterprise exams.
Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) is the highest level of Microsoft certification and by far the most rigorous and costly. You'll need a ton of experience just to consider it, and it will set you back at least $10,000 just in program fees, half of which is due up front. The skills assessed include soft skills such as leadership, communication, and organizational strategies as well as technology expertise, which is billed as vendor neutral. There are infrastructure and solutions tracks, as well as a separate MCA Technology program.
Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) is the highest level of Microsoft certification and by far the most rigorous and costly.
For the infrastructure or solutions tracks, first you'll have to submit an extensive dossier documenting your work history, an architectural solution case study, and descriptions of instances in which you have demonstrated each of the required competencies. Then you'll have to undergo an extensive, two hour review by a panel of four experts including two who are current MCAs. During the review, you will present and defend your solution and make a case for why you are really, truly an architecture expert.
The MCA Technology program is open only to Microsoft partners and employees and operates a bit differently. It is even more expensive, requiring you to attend four weeks of training, pass a qualification lab, and then face the review board, as well as meet experience requirements.
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) is the certification that must be earned before you can teach an official Microsoft course using the official curriculum. It has been around for many years. There are four steps to becoming an MCT. The first is of course that you hold a current Microsoft certification from a fairly broad list that includes various MCSA, MCSE, MCITP, MCTS, MCDBA, and other certifications. Second, you must prove trainer expertise by either a) holding CompTIA CTT+ certification or a trainer credential from Cisco, Citrix, Oracle, or Novell, b) attend and pass an approved presentation skills course, or c) prove that you are an instructor at an accredited academic institution. Third, you must sign up for a "Metrics that Matter" account which enforces ongoing MCT requirements such as performance standards. You will need the account number for the next step. The final requirement is that you must complete Microsoft MCT application and pay the $400 program fee (US). An MCT certification must be renewed annually.
Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant (MCLC) is for Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) who are also serve as consultants who design, develop, and implement customized Microsoft learning solutions. To step up from MCT to MCLC, you will need to submit a case study of a project you completed within the last two years that proves your skills as a learning consultant and submit a letter from the customer profiled in your case study. You will have to submit a new case study and a new letter every two years.
Oldies (and Not So Oldies) but Goodies
The original crop of Microsoft certifications is arguably the best known group, but they are disappearing fast. Neverless, some are still quite applicable to today's IT professionals. If you pick one of these, be sure to pay attention to when it is being retired and complete all requirements before then. This bunch includes:
- Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) - basic competency in any legacy Microsoft product.
- Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) - technical support for Windows XP end users.
- Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) - intended as a stepping stone to the MCSE.
- Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) - high level skills in Microsoft Windows up to Windows 2003.
- Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) - intended as a stepping stone to MCSD.
- Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) - application development using Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 or 1.1
- Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) - implementation and administration of Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) used to be the entry point to the Microsoft certification program. Basically, pass any single exam on any Microsoft product and you would obtain MCP certification. This no longer applies and has been effectively replaced by the MCTS designation described earlier.
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) s for individuals who provide support to end users of Windows XP. There are two exams required, one that focuses on the operating system itself and a second that covers troubleshooting applications that run on it.
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) is essentially a stepping stone to the MCSE, created because the list of MCSE requirements can be rather daunting at seven exams. It can be earned on Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 and requires passing four exams which overlap the MCSE exams, thus you will earn the MCSA on the way to the MCSE. The exams include two networking system exams, one client operating system exam, and one elective. MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security specializations are also available for both the Windows 2000 and the Windows 2003 tracks.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is without a doubt the best known certification worldwide; no suprise since it's been around since 1992, and it's not going away any time soon. It is intended to certify a high skill level in designing and implementing Windows operating system solutions. Currently it can only be earned following a seven exam Windows 2003 track. Exams for earlier tracks, such as Windows 2000, are no longer available. There are no current plans to retire this certification, although the newer certifications at the beginning of this article warrant a look first.
The MCSE is still a very viable certification and will be for the foreseeable future as Windows Server 2003 is likely to remain in wide use for some time.
To earn an MCSE on Windows Server 2003, you must pass seven exams including four core networking system exams, a client operating system exam, a design exam, and one elective exam from an extensive list that includes many of the latest Microsoft certification exams. The four core networking exams cover skills related to managing, implementing, and maintaining Windows Server 2003 in a networked environment. The client operating system exam can be either for Windows Vista or Windows XP professional. For the design exam, the two choices are Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure or Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network. The list of possible electives includes quite a few from the new MCTS certification exam list. MCSE: Messaging and MCSE: Security specializations are also available for both the Windows 2000 and the Windows 2003 tracks.
The MCSE is still a very viable certification and will be for the foreseeable future as Windows Server 2003 is likely to remain in wide use for some time.
Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) is for developers who work with Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 or 1.1. For later versions of the .NET Framework, look at the newer MCTS above. Also, keep in mind that t crucial core exams will retire in March 2009, so you will not be able to take them after that. MCAD was created as a more easily obtainable developer certification than the MCSD and serves as a stepping stone to that. It requires three exams rather than five. The exams overlap so you will earn the MCAD on the way to the MCSD. First you choose either Visual C# .NET or Visual Basic .NET as your track. Then you will need to pass a Windows or web application development exam and a web services and server component development exam, plus one elective that covers a specific Microsoft server product.
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) was Microsoft's first certification for developers and is nearly as well known as the MCSE; however, the core exams will retire in March 2009, so if you have not completed them by then, you will not be able to earn this certification. On the up side, Microsoft says the title will never expire, so if you earn it you get to keep it. An MCSD is for application developers who work with Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 or 1.1. For later versions of the .NET framework look at MCTS and MCITP above.
The MCSD certification offers a choice of a Visual C# .NET or Visual Basic .NET. Four core exams are required, one each for web application development, windows application development, web services and server component development, and solution architecture. An additional elective is also required, which can be chosen from a list that includes Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004, Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and implementing application security, among other options.
Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) is for administrators of Microsoft SQL Server 2000. Most of the exams on this track have already retired or will retire in March 2009, so you will need to complete the requirements before then. To earn an MCDBA, you must pass on SQL Server administration exam and one SQL Server design exam. You must also pass either a Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 exam. The last requirement is your choice of an elective from a list that includes some of the newer MCTS exams. Most of the other elective options are for exams that have been retired.
That's a Wrap - For Now
As you can see, the latest generation of certifications offers many more certification tracks within each designation. They pertain to the latest Microsoft technologies as well some of the more venerable products and are certainly the first place to look if you are considering a new certification. However, many previous Microsoft products, such as Windows Server 2003, are still widely used, and earlier Microsoft certifications that remain available are quite appropriate for individuals who work with those products. Basically it comes down to what technology generation you are working with, at least until the menu of certifications gets redesigned again...
