Dust Off Your MCSE: The New MCTS & MCITP Certifications Are The Future

Posted on May 20th, 2010 by Emma Nelson

MCSE: Out With The Old

Having an MCSE next to your name can open doors that would otherwise be closed. My MCSE Certification has helped me get job interviews and writing gigs, plus it has helped with my street cred in the IT world.

Another nice thing about the MCSE is that it will never expire, not even when the exams are discontinued (let’s hope, that in the future, the MCSE will be a sign of experience and longevity and not a sign of age).

But the MCSE is getting old, the technology is starting to go out of fashion and companies are looking for candidates with updated skills and new sets of letters after their names.

MCTS & MCITP: In With The New

Just in case you haven’t been following along, Microsoft has introduced two new certifications:

  • Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
  • Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)

The MCTS demonstrates knowledge on a particular technology so it is possible to get several MCTS designations, one for each technology you test on. The MCITP certification requires 3-5 MCTS exams, depending on which track you choose.

The MCTS expires when the technology it is based on is out of mainstream support. The MCITP will need to be renewed every three years. Because these new certifications expire, having one will be a sign of keeping current and being up to date with changing technologies.

Learn more about the Server 2008 MCITP Certifications.

Certification Options for MCSEs

If you’re currently working with Microsoft technologies and would like to continue on that route, than the MCTS and MCITP is the logical upgrade path for you to take.

If you’re not working with Windows or simply looking for a change, there are other certification options for MCSEs.

CompTIA Network+ Certification

The Network+ certification consists of only one exam and covers core networking concepts such as wires and network topologies, the OSI Model, TCP/IP protocols and the like. You’ll learn the fundamentals that every IT professional should know like how to set a default gateway, DNS and basic IP addressing, routing and wireless networking, using networking command line tools, performance optimization and hands-on networking tools such as the multimeter and cable testers.

Why would someone with an MCSE want to get the Network+ certification?

Well for starters, the Net+ is a vendor neutral certification so you’re not going to be limited to just Microsoft information. And if you haven’t been keeping up with the latest changes in networking technologies, studying for the Network+ will be a nice way to refresh your skills and knowledge and fill in any gaps.

Learn more about the CompTIA Network+ Certification.

CompTIA Security+ Certification

Security is on everyone’s mind, now more than ever, which is why it’s also one of the most in-demand areas in the IT field. CompTIA’s Security+ certification is required by most companies in the health care and financial industries and the federal government.

Security professionals also enjoy a higher pay scale than the average System Administrator, and there are simply more opportunities for individuals with security credentials.

Security+ Certification requires a single exam and will allow you to build skills in implementing organizational security, system security, email security, web security and more, all with a vendor neutral focus.

Learn more about the CompTIA Security+ Certification.

Cisco CCNA Certification

Cisco’s CCNA is a very popular certification that allows you to obtain a wide range of job titles including: associate network technician, network specialist, associate network engineer and others.

There are two paths to obtaining the CCNA cert; you can take a single composite exam: CCNA 640-802, or two exams: ICND1 640-822 and ICND2 640-816.

Although it is considered an entry level certification, the CCNA covers a number of advanced networking topics. On your exam you will have to describe how a network works and actually configure a switch in a test lab. You will also need to know how to configure, verify and troubleshoot routers on Cisco devices.

The CCNA is a popular option for MCSEs because it opens up new opportunities and for many, it is a nice change of pace.

Learn more about the Cisco CCNA Certification.

VMware VCP Certification

IT professionals with virtualization and cloud computing skills are in high demand as companies and organizations are trying to bring more efficiency and cost savings to the IT department. Eventually, it will be an expected skill of every sysadmin because of the widespread adaptation of virtualization technology.

The VCP (VMware Certified Professional) certification is still pretty rare, especially compared to Microsoft or Cisco certifications. So if you’re looking for a good way to stand out from the crowd and work with some cutting edge technologies, then virtualization is the path to go.

Learn more about the VMware VCP Certification.

Coming Full Circle: Upgrading Your MCSE

That leads us back to Microsoft Certifications. Maybe an updated Microsoft Certification is the most logical step for MCSEs after all.

By taking just one Microsoft exam you can get your MCTS (and add some new letters to your name). The MCTS on Windows 7 Administration is a good choice as many organizations are moving to the new OS.

The MCITP upgrade path for MCSE’s also looks very promising. Those who hold an MCSE or MCSA on Server 2003 can take the expedited route to the MCITP Certification and earn multiple MCTS certifications by passing a single upgrade exam.

The upgrade exams include:

  • Exam: 70-648 Upgrading Your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist
  • Exam: 70-649 Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist

By passing exam 70-648 (for MCSAs) you complete the requirements for two Server 2008 Certifications:

  • MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
  • MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration

By passing exam 70-649 (for MCSEs) you complete the requirements for three Server 2008 Certs:

  • MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
  • MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
  • MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Application Platform Configuration

Both the 70-648 and 70-649 exams also count towards you MCITP Certifications, whether you want to go the MCITP Server Administrator or MCITP Enterprise Administrator route.

To complete your MCITP Server Administrator credential after completing the upgrade exam you will only have one exam left:

To complete your MCITP Enterprise Administrator credential after completing the MCSA/MCSE upgrade exam you will need to pass two exams:

and one of these:

  • Exam 70-620: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
  • Exam 70-624: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops
  • Exam 70-680: Windows 7, Configuring

Take a look at the MCITP exam requirements to learn about the difference between the two MCITP certification routes and what you’ll need to do to achieve them.

Time to Update Your MCSE

As my colleague has pointed out in a previous article, there will be considerable value in being both MCSE 2003 and MCITP 2008 certified as many organizations are moving to Server 2008 and need IT pros who are proficient in both technologies. The combination of MCSE and MCITP might be the new hot ticket in the certification arena.

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