Microsoft Courses
What Microsoft Courses Are Available to You?
Microsoft courses are designed to prepare current tech staffers to successfully complete their certifications, which come with several designations (MCSE, MCSA, MCDST, MCTS, MCPD, MCITP). What do these designations mean? Which certification is the best match for your skills and experience? Read on to find out.
MCSA: Microsoft Certified System Administrator
The MCSA certification is awarded to a networking professional who has completed four or five Microsoft exams and has at least one year of job experience. It is geared towards users of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or earlier. MCSA certifications can be specialized in Messaging or Security.
MCSE: Microsoft Certified System Engineer
To be eligible for certification as a MCSE, you need one to two years of experience in designing, maintaining, and installing networks running off of Windows 2003 or 2000 servers. In addition, you must also pass four networking exams, one networking design exam, one client operating system exam, and one elective exam. By including courses in Messaging or Security, you can tailor your certification to these areas.
MCDST: Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
IT professionals who work as help desk personnel, tech support, or customer service for computer products are eligible to study two Microsoft courses (Windows XP and Desktop Applications) and become certified MCDSTs. Between six and twelve months of job experience are also required, as is a broad knowledge of Windows operating systems.
MCTS: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
Microsoft Technology Specialists are certified in a specific application. They should have a year or two of real-world job experience as well as training in the appropriate Microsoft course. Some technologies require only one exam; a few of these are Essential Business Server 2008, Win Mobile 5.0, Windows Vista, Windows 7, SQL and .NET ( both in several forms), SharePoint, and Enterprise Resource Planning. Microsoft .NET Framework and Visual Studio require two exams prior to certification.
MCPD: Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
Certification as a MCPD indicates you have at least two years of experience in using Microsoft technologies to design and produce new software programs. Particular emphasis is placed on Visual Studios and .NET Framework. Candidates can choose among certifications as a Windows Developer, ASP.NET Developer, or Enterprise Application Developer using either the 2008 or 2005 version of Microsoft Visual Studio.
MCITP: Microsoft Certified IT Professional
If you have two or more years of experience using Microsoft technologies, you may want to consider courses to become a MCITP. These certifications are actually extensions of MCTS certifications, so prior to your MCITP; you’ll already have at least one Microsoft certification. Among the many choices are specializations in Enterprise Desktop Support Tech, Database Administration (2 exams each), Server Administration, Database Development (3 exams each), or Enterprise Administration (5 exams).
On a final note, Microsoft is retiring some of the exams for older technologies. Specifically, many exams used for MCSE certification are no longer given, and both exams for MCDST professional will be retired in March 2011. Before deciding on which certification will best suit you, check to make sure your preferred Microsoft courses are still current.