Microsoft Certification Program Overview:

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (or MCSE) is the best-known and premiere Microsoft certification. It qualifies an individual as being able to analyze the business requirements for information systems solutions, and design and implement the infrastructure required. As of 2007, the MCSE is available for two different product lines; Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, each of which requires a different set of exams.

For the MCSE 2003, candidates 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. For the MCSE 2000, a candidate needs to pass five Core Exams (Four operating system exams, one design exam) and two electives. For the MCSE NT 4.0 (which is no longer available to earn, though it is still recognized as a valid certification), a candidate needed to pass four Core Exams (Networking Essentials, Windows NT Workstation, Windows NT Server and Windows NT Server in the Enterprise) and two electives.

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

Windows Server 2008 Certifications
Microsoft is adopting new certifications for 2008. Two new top level certifications are MCITP Server Administrator and MCITP Enterprise Administrator.

Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD)
The Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) certification is the mid level programming certification offered by Microsoft, leading to the MCSD. To fulfill the requirements of the certification, a total of three exams (two core exams, one elective exam) must be passed. Microsoft has declared that this certification will be focused 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) certification.

Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
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 Certified Application Developer). Microsoft has declared that this certification will be focused 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) certification.

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
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, and an elective exam. The Windows Server 2000 MCSA title is granted after taking 3 core exams and one elective. Although the MCSA is not 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.

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.

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.

Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
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 SQL Server 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 (MCDST)
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 (MOS)
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 (MCT)
The Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) certification is for individuals who intend to train users wanting to obtain any of the other certifications. They must have some type of certification out of the Microsoft Course. For example, in Australia, many MCT's have a diploma or degree in teaching either primary school or secondary education. It is also a requirement by many training companies, especially Microsoft Gold Partners to have MCT's with a degree in teaching.

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
Anyone passing just one operating exam, can be certified as Microsoft Certified Professional, although some individual exams are excluded along with any of the Microsoft Dynamics series of certifications.