| Microsoft is considered as one of the bastions of | | | | Akin to the MSCE, the MSCA has two varieties: |
| information technology growth and expansion. In the | | | | MCSA for Windows 2000 and MCSA for Windows |
| years of its operation, the company has provided its | | | | 2003. To get a certification for MCSA 2000, the |
| clientele with outstanding software, programs, | | | | individual should be able to pass three core exams |
| applications, and computer systems. Aside from its | | | | and an elective exam. As for the MCSA 2003, the |
| prime product offers, Microsoft also provides IT | | | | aspiring individual should pass two exams on |
| certifications. Among the most sought for IT | | | | networking systems, one exam on client operations, |
| certifications that this IT mainstay provides are the | | | | and an elective exam. |
| following: | | | | Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) |
| Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) | | | | The MCSD certification serves as the highest level of |
| A Microsoft certification in MCSE qualifies an individual | | | | programming certification that is given by Microsoft. |
| as one who is capable of the information system and | | | | As such, this certification ensures that an individual is |
| solution needs assessment for businesses. In addition | | | | capable of utilizing and constructing complex |
| to analyze the needs, the individual is also capable of | | | | programs and software using a wide variety of |
| providing a solution to the needs as he is able to | | | | programming languages. However, it should be noted |
| construct and implement the necessary infrastructure. | | | | that this certification will focus on the .NET |
| MCSE comes in two forms: MCSE for Windows 2000 | | | | Framework 1.0 and 1.1 versions that most software |
| and MCSE for Windows Server 2003. Individuals | | | | developers are using. |
| aiming for MCSE 2000 will have to pass five core | | | | To be able to get a certification for MCSD, an |
| exams and two elective exams. These core exams | | | | aspiring candidate should pass five exams, consisted |
| are consisted of four operating system exams and a | | | | of four core exams and an elective exam. |
| design exam. On the other hand, individuals who want | | | | Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) |
| to obtain MCSE 2003 should pass six core design | | | | This certification is often needed by database |
| exams which are composed of four networking | | | | administrators. Once this certification is acquired, this |
| exams, one client operating system exam and a | | | | means that the individual is capable of implementing, |
| design exam. In addition to that, he or she should | | | | managing, and administering Microsoft SQL Server |
| pass an elective exam. | | | | databases. |
| Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) | | | | Basically, this certification is suitable for IT |
| This certification shows that a user is knowledgeable | | | | professionals who obtain physical database designs, |
| in the field of system administration when it comes | | | | generate physical databases, construct logical data |
| to Microsoft Windows operating systems. Generally, | | | | models, and produce data services by using |
| an MCSA certification is much simpler than that of an | | | | Transact-SQL. It is also highly applicable for those |
| MCSE. Once an individual has gained a certification in | | | | who configure, manage, and ensure security of |
| MCSA, he is then expected to be capable of | | | | databases that make use of the SQL Server. |
| implementing, maintaining, and managing complex | | | | Individuals who aim to gain the MCDBA certification |
| computing environments among companies that utilize | | | | must pass three core exams, and one elective exam. |
| Microsoft operating systems. | | | | |