Microsoft Certified Professional

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) refers to both an individual Microsoft certification and a broader professional certification program.

To be an MCP, candidates must complete any one exam within the program.

The MCP program offers multiple certifications, based on different areas of technical expertise. To attain these certifications, a candidate must pass a series of exams within the program. Popular certifications are MCP, Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) [1] .For detailed information about the requirements for each refer to Microsoft's Official Learning site.

Some employers require or prefer certain MCP certifications for specific jobs. MCP curriculum revolves around Microsoft's operating systems. Other vendors have their own certification programs such as the Sun Certified Professional program, the Red Hat Certification Program, and the Cisco Career Certifications program.

Each exam costs approximately US$125. Exams usually take between 2 and 3 hours to complete and consist of between 50-90 multiple choice, drag and drop and solution building questions. Microsoft has recently announced a return to simulated content within exams and students are also required to perform certain common administrative tasks appropriate for the topic at hand.

Microsoft in Oct 2005, [2] announced the restructuring of its certification by launching a three-tiered certification program, more information below.

Certification Programs

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (or MCSE) is the best-known Microsoft certification. It qualifies an individual of being able to analyze the business requirements for business solutions and design and implement the infrastucture required. As of 2006, the MCSE is available for two different products, Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, each requiring a different set of exams.

For the MCSE 2003, candidates must pass six Core exams design exams (Four networking exams, one client operating system and one design exam) and one elective exam, for a total of seven exams. For the MCSE 2000, a candidate needs to pass five Core Exams (Four operating system exams, one design exam) and two electives.

The topic of these exams include network security, computer network infrastructure, Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, and other topics of both general networking interest as well as specific Microsoft products.

Microsoft Certified Application Developer

The Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) certification is the entry-level programming certification. The curriculum covers many topics related to the Microsoft .NET development platform. The requirements for this certification lead directly into the MCSD certification.

Microsoft Certified Solution Developer

The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) certification is the highest level programming certification offered by Microsoft. To fulfill the requirements of the certification, a total of five exams (four core exams, one elective exam) must be passed. Some of the core exams are also requirements for the MCAD. Microsoft has declared that this certification will be focussed towards the needs of developers using .NET Framework 1.0 and 1.1 versions. Developers using .NET Framework 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 are expected to consider undergoing Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certifications.

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator

The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (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 (generally Microsoft Windows XP), and an elective exam. The Windows Server 2000 MCSA title is granted after taking 3 core exams and one elective. Although the MCSA isn't a subset of the MCSE, it is possible to gain an MCSA on the way to an MCSE without doing any exams that are extraneous to the MCSE on Windows 2000.

Whereas the MCSE is supposed to certify a person's ability to "plan, design, and implement Microsoft Windows server solutions and architectures in medium- to large-sized companies", the MCSA certifies a holder's ability to "implement, manage, and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium- to large-sized companies".

Like the MCSE, the MCSA is available as "MCSA on Windows 2000" and "MCSA on Windows 2003" as of 2005. There exist two specializations for both tracks: Messaging and Security.

Microsoft Certified Database Administrator

The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) credential is for database administrators, who 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 requires passing three core exams, and one elective exam. According to Microsoft, people who operate MSSQL 2005 should apply for other certifications such as the MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) or MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist), rather than the MCDBA. Complete course lasts 250 hours.

Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician

The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) is a lower-level credential that demonstrates a technician can competently support end users and troubleshoot desktop environments running on Microsoft Windows. MCDST candidates are required to pass two core exams. Elective exams are not required. Complete course lasts 50 hours.

Microsoft Office Specialist

The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), previously named Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) is a certification for using the Microsoft Office suite of business applications. While listed under the MCP Certification Programs, it is not officially an MCP Certification. The MOS exams are managed by a third party company, Certiport.

Microsoft Certified Trainer

The Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) certification is for individuals who intend to train users wanting to obtain any of the other certifications.

Microsoft Certification Resources

There are several courses, Bootcamps, 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.

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.

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 New Generation of Certifications

Microsoft has released a new three-tiered certification hierarchy. It consist of three series and four credentials that introduce an entry-level Technology Series, a Professional Series comprised of an IT Professional and Professional Developer credentials and a new top-level Microsoft Certified Architect. For more information on the new certifications refer to Microsoft's New Generation of Certification Overview.There exist three series:
* Technology Series
* Professional Series
* Architect SeriesThe six Microsoft Certified Professional Developer Technology Specialist certifications are:
* Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications
* Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications
* Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications
* Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005
* Technology Specialist: BizTalk Server 2006
* Technology Specialist: Live Communications Server 2005The 'Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications' certification requires that one pass the following examinations:
* Exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation
* Exam 70-528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Web-Based Client DevelopmentThe 'Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications' certification requires that one pass the following examinations:
* Exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation
* Exam 70-526: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Windows-Based Client Development

The 'Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications' certification requires that one pass the following examinations:
* Exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation
* Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Distributed Application DevelopmentThe 'Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005' certification requires that one pass the following examination:
* Exam 70-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and MaintenanceThe 'Technology Specialist: BizTalk Server 2006' certification requires that one pass the following examination:
* Exam 70-235: TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using BizTalk Server 2006 (available early 2006)The 'Technology Specialist: Live Communications Server 2005' certification requires that one pass the following examination:
* Exam 70-262 TS: Office Live Communications Server 2005-Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting (available early 2006)There exist study groups dedicated to studying for various certifications.

If there is not a study group in your area and there is good chance that there exist at least two other people that would be interested, then one could form one.

Criticism

Microsoft received a lot of criticism at the beginning of its MCSE Certification program because of its lack of hands-on experience. The MCSE for NT 4.0 was widely considered a "paper certification" that focused too much on theory. Microsoft corrected the problem in later MCSE programs for Server 2000 and Server 2003 by increasing the difficulty of tests and focusing on practical skills.

Use of the Engineer term

While the MCSE certifies expertise with Microsoft products, it is not, as its name suggests, an engineering qualification. Use of the title engineer is rife within the IT certification industry and is not limited to Microsoft (for example, Red Hat Certified Engineer). Use of the term has led to some consternation amongst associations of professional engineers, and allegations that the use of the MCSE name may even be illegal in some jurisdictions where the term "engineer" is regulated by law. CCPE further warned that any other people referring to themselves as "engineers" in Canada without proper engineering qualifications are doing so illegally.

Court rulings regarding the usage of the term "engineer" have been mixed, however. For example, after complaints from the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers, a court in Quebec fined Microsoft Canada $1,000 for misusing the "engineer" title by referring to MCSE graduates as "engineers" [3]. To the contrary, Alberta court dismissed the lawsuit filed by The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) against Raymond Merhej for using the title "System Engineer", claiming that "The Respondent's situation is such that it cannot be contended that the public is likely to be deceived, confused or jeopardized by his use of the term. . ." [4] [5] APEGGA also lost the appeal to this decision. ASET Technology Alberta, p.2

Microsoft Certified Professional: Encyclopedia BETA

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