Deciding on a career is only part of the journey. Once you choose to pursue a particular career path, you will need to acquire the necessary skills for that profession. Degrees or certifications can bring you closer to getting the job you want. In this article, we discuss available Microsoft certifications and explain why expanding your knowledge in certain areas of Microsoft can benefit your career.
What is a Microsoft certification?
A Microsoft certification is a credential that shows your knowledge of one of Microsoft’s types of software or programs. Depending on your career path and experience, Microsoft offers a variety of certifications that could be beneficial for you. Many certifications have different levels of expertise, and you may need to earn them in sequential order. Most of these certifications require renewal every few years to ensure you maintain current knowledge of the product.
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Types of Microsoft certifications
Here are the types of Microsoft certifications you can earn:
Microsoft Office Specialist
These global certifications show you have professional-level skills in Microsoft Office suite. There are three levels of certifications within the Microsoft Office Specialist:
Microsoft Office Specialist: The certifications within this category are the foundation level certifications for the most popular of Microsoft Office, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and Office365.
Microsoft Office Specialist Expert: The certification covers the middle tier of certifications in Word and Excel.
Microsoft Office Specialist Master: This certification shows that you have overall expertise across the Microsoft Office System. To earn this certification, you are required to pass four exams: MOS: Microsoft Office Word 2010 Expert; MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2010 Expert; MOS: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2010; and MOS: Outlook 2010, Access 2010, SharePoint 2010 or OneNote 2010.
Microsoft Technology Associate
These certifications demonstrate entry-level skills in the IT field. Some of the certifications you can earn within the Microsoft Technology Associate area include:
MTA: Database: This certification is for those who want to enter fields like database administration or business intelligence.
MTA: Developer: This certification is for those who want to enter roles like software engineer, computer programmer, or web and application developer.
MTA: IT Infrastructure: This certification is for those thinking about a career in networking, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure management or cloud computing.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
These certifications are the core of the new generation of cloud-optimized credentials. Some of the different certifications you can earn in the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate are as follows.
MCSA: Windows 10: This certification demonstrates you can install, manage, and support Windows 10 desktops and mobile devices at the highest level.
MCSA: Windows Server 2016: This certification demonstrates you have the expertise to use the Windows server platform to improve performance and increase IT return on investment.
MCSA: Office 365: This certification demonstrates you know how to manage and migrate to cloud-based Office 365.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
These certifications give IT professionals the skills to design, create, and manage technology solutions using Microsoft products. Some of the certifications you can earn in the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert include:
MCSE: Server Infrastructure: This certification shows you have the modern expertise to run a modern data center.
MCSE: Private Cloud: This certification shows you can manage cloud computing setups using Microsoft System Center and Windows Server.
MCSE: Business Intelligence: This certification shows you can design, create and optimize business intelligence solutions.
Microsoft Solutions Developer
- MCSD: App Builder: The prerequisites for this certification include earning the MCSA certifications in both web applications and universal windows platform. You must also pass one of the following exams:
- Exam 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
- Exam 70-355: Universal Windows Platform—App Data, Services and Coding Patterns
- Exam 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
- Exam 70-487: Developing Microsoft Azure and Web Services
- Exam 70-488: Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions
- Exam 70-489: Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Advanced Solutions
- Exam 70-354: Universal Windows Platform—App Data, Services and Coding Patterns
- Exam 70-496: Administering Microsoft Visual Studio Team Foundation Server
- Exam 70-497: Software Testing with Visual Studio
- Exam 70-498: Delivering Continuous Value with Visual Studio Application Lifestyle Management
Related: 10 Six-Month Certificate Programs That Pay Well
How to get a Microsoft certification
Follow these basic steps to earn a Microsoft certification:
Determine the certification you need. There are many certifications available in varying degrees, so you’ll need to determine which one is most beneficial for your career. Consider asking your manager if there’s a specific certification they prefer you obtain. If you’re searching for a job, review job postings to determine which certification most employers seek.
Study or complete training courses. While training is not required, it is a good idea to find a trainer who can help you prepare. If a trainer is not in your budget, you can use an at-home test lab. Practice the labs in the books you have purchased or received from your trainer. You will want to design your own solution to these labs.
Take a practice exam. A low score on this practice exam is fine and will motivate you to study. It is normal to score low, especially when the material is new.
Renew your certification. Once you earn your certification, you may need to renew it every year. Make sure you know if and when you need to renew your certification so you can continue to list it on your resume.
Related: Guide: How to Choose a Career
Jobs that typically require a Microsoft certification
These jobs either require or prefer those who have earned Microsoft certifications:
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