As most of you are already aware, Microsoft places a huge amount of emphasis on certification. Not only does this guarantee that the certified person knows what they are doing, but it makes it easier for companies to employee people as there is some sort of standard.
In the past the certifications where difficult to understand in the broader industry as the titles differed within each vertical space. We ended up with MCSE, MCSD, MCDBA, MCT, MCTS, MCITP, MCBMSS and many more and these were difficult to explain to prospective employers. The other problem was that the amount of products available increased drastically and it become impossible to create separate certifications for them all.
Microsoft therefore decided to consolidate this whole mess and streamlined the process by creating a new series of certifications that are more product focused. They also created different levels within each product to demonstrate the level of expertise achieved.
The certification path therefore looks as follows:
- MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) - This is the basic starting point for any product.
- MCITP (Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional) - This would be the advanced level.
- MCM (Microsoft Certified Master) - This is the new level for specialists in their field
- MCA (Microsoft Certified Architect) - This is the highest level of achievement.
Unfortunately Microsoft has not created MCITP, MCM or MCA levels for all their product as they are not applicable to all products and some are still in the pipeline. The MVP (Most Valuable Professional) status falls out side this scope as you do not need to be certified to attain this status and this is not something that you can apply for.
The MCM certification for Sharepoint is not available yet, but it will be launched in December 2008. Read the links below for more information.
Introducing Master certifications
The new Microsoft Certified Master series offers advanced technical training and certifications on Microsoft technologies that go beyond any product training offered outside of Microsoft today. IT professionals who successfully complete the training program and certification testing validate their skills as product experts who successfully design and implement solutions that meet the most complex business requirements.
Exclusive advanced training
The strength of Microsoft Master training begins with an experience-based curriculum that is built on a foundation of expert-level classroom training and labs. This curriculum is presented by instructors from Microsoft and Microsoft global network partners who are practiced experts in their discipline. The instructors draw upon their real-world experience to ensure that students learn the skills that apply to real-world customer scenarios. The program includes three weeks of highly intensive classroom training, three computer-based tests, and one lab-based exam per training rotation (training and exam series).
Certification
Master certification enables senior IT professionals to demonstrate and validate their technical expertise on Microsoft server products and authoritatively differentiate themselves to prospective employers and customers. Master certification is a prerequisite for all Microsoft platform Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certifications.
Microsoft offers three Master-level technical certifications, all of which deepen and broaden the technical skills of experienced IT professionals.
Qualification requirements
Qualified Microsoft Certified Master candidates are highly skilled technical experts in their discipline with several years of experience designing, deploying, and managing solutions by using Microsoft technology. To be eligible for Master certification, the candidate must be a current Microsoft Certified Professional (with a Microsoft Certification ID) or an eligible Microsoft employee. Specific technology requirements vary by platform.
To achieve Master certification, candidates must:
- Attend required sessions (three weeks total)
- Successfully complete all in-class (written and lab) exams (up to three exams)
- Successfully complete a qualification lab exam
Registration is available now
Learn how to apply and register
Referenced Links:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master/default.mspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/2008/06/26/more-on-the-certified-master-programs-from-me-per-the-program-owner.aspx
Most Valuable Professional Programme
Related Blogs:
http://grounding.co.za/courses/
Sharepoint e-Learning courses available from Microsoft