Certification Overview
MCSE
For many years now the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (or MCSE) has been considered the premier Microsoft certification. Those who have the MCSE certificate demand good salaries and the respect of their peers in the IT industry. To become an MCSE certified professional (MCSE 2003), you must pass six core design exams (four networking exams, one client operating system and one design exam) and one elective exam, for a total of seven exams., which run about $125 each. This, plus the costs of training materials and study guides, can run well into the thousands. Time that you will spend studying for the exams can take years. Although it's a good investment in your career, there is a large difference between MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA).
MCP
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) refers to the broad certification program for Microsoft, although it can also refer to an individual candidate who had completed any one exam within the program.
MCSA
The gap between the MCP and MCSE has been filled by the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator) certification. Leaving out the analysis and design of infrastructure, the MCSA focuses on managing and troubleshooting system environments. The intent being that you don't always need to know how to build an infrastructure if your job only requires that you maintain it. MCSA certification certifies a user's knowledge in system administration of Microsoft Windows operating systems and is generally simpler than, but not a subset of, the MCSE. The Windows Server 2003 MCSA is achieved upon passing 2 networking system exams, a client operating system exam, and an elective exam.
As an alternative to the electives on the MCSA electives table, certifications or certification combinations may substitute for an MCSA elective. For example, CompTIA A+ and Network+ together or CompTIA A+ and Server+ together can be credited and substituted for an elective through a Microsoft and CompTIA partnership agreement. One 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 cost effective way to earning an MCSA if candidates are already certified in other areas.
Choosing A Microsoft Certification
Which certification is right for you?
Microsoft Certification Roadmap. This roadmap guides you through Microsoft Learning products toward a career in computer technology. This roadmap guides you through Microsoft Learning products toward a career in computer technology.
More are on the way...