Microsoft Certified
Professionals or MCPs, are separated from other IT
professionals. They have proven expertise in
Microsoft platforms and products. When someone has a
Microsoft certification, you can be assured they
know all required skills to perform the necessary
tasks.
There are several areas you can become Microsoft
Certified in as follows:
MCTS – Microsoft Certified Technology
Specialist are professionals that have in-depth
training in specific technologies. These specialists
are able to build, debug, implement, or troubleshoot
a certain Microsoft technology. There are eight
possible certifications available at this time and
new ones are added as new technology is designed.
The eight available now 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: SQL Server 2005 Business
Intelligence
Technology Specialist: BizTalk Server 2006
Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office Live
Communications Server 2005
Technology Specialist: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0
Applications
MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional
have comprehensive skills in optimizing, planning,
maintaining, deploying, and supporting IT
infrastructures. These professionals have technical
skills targeted for particular developer jobs.
MCPD – Microsoft Certified Professional
Developer professionals have proven knowledge of
developing Microsoft Windows, enterprise
applications, or Web applications using the Visual
Studio 2005 and .NET Framework 2.0. There are three
available certifications as follows:
Professional Developer: Web Developer
Professional Developer: Windows Developer
Professional Developer: Enterprise Applications
Developer
MCA – Microsoft Certified Architect are
leading experts in IT Architecture. To get this type
of certification they must present to a Review Board
and also get approved by other certified architects
who watch over the professionals throughout the
rigorous Review Board proceedings. There are three
available:
Microsoft Certified Architect: Infrastructure
Microsoft Certified Architect: Solutions
Microsoft Certified Architect: Messaging
MCDST – Microsoft Certified Desktop Support
Technicians have customer and technical service
skills to assist in troubleshooting software
operations and hardware, within Microsoft Windows
environments.
MCLC – Microsoft Certified Learning
Consultant are MCTs who have consultations
frequently with customers. They can create and give
specialized learning solutions.
MCSA – Microsoft Certified Systems
Administrators are professionals who administer
system environments and networks within Microsoft
Windows operating systems. There are two types of
specializations:
MCSA: Messaging on Windows 2000/2003
MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2000/2003
MCSE – Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers
create and implement solutions for infrastructure
that is based on Microsoft Windows Server System
software and Windows operating systems. There are
two types of specializations:
MCSE: Messaging on Windows 2000/2003
MCSE: Security on Windows Server 2000/2003
MCDBA – Microsoft Certified Database
Administrators are professionals who create,
implement, and administer Microsoft SQL Server
databases.
MCT – Microsoft Certified Trainers are
qualified to instruct Microsoft training courses to
IT developers and professionals.
MCAD – Microsoft Certified Applications
Developers use the technologies of Microsoft to
create and keep up department level components,
applications, desktop or Web client, or back-end
data services.
MCSD – Microsoft Certified Solution
Developers create and expound business solutions
that are leading-edge using Microsoft technologies,
platforms, development tools, and Microsoft Windows
architecture.
MOS – Microsoft Office Specialist are
professionals that are worldwide recognized for
their advanced Microsoft desktop application skills.
There is a site designed exclusively for the MCPs
and is located at:
https://mcp.microsoft.com/mcp
It includes benefits like special discounts and MCP
logos. You will be able to download your transcript
that shows all of the certificates that you have and
all the tests you have passed. You can make any
changes to your profile and contact preferences
also. You can request a Welcome Kit from here. A
Windows Live ID is required to have an account.
There are several certifications that you can get.
When you have a Microsoft Certification, you prove
to the world that you are capable to perform your
job well. A good place to get more information is:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.mspx
