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

Emma Nelson — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:00:43 +0000

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:

Exam 70-646: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

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

Exam 70-647: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

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.

What’s The Next Step for MCSEs?

Brian Nelson — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:18 +0000

I’ve been eating out on my MCSE certification since I first earned it in 1995.

Back then, I got an unsolicited phone call from a major computer company that was adding a new arm to its consulting division. They found my resume on the Internet, doubled my salary, sent me on consulting gigs across the country, and bought my first house with the discounted stock I bought out of every paycheck.

By the time I left the computer industry (before it became the “technology” industry) there wasn’t a job I couldn’t get an interview for just because I had an MCSE.

(By the way, if you’re wondering, I’m not old. I graduated from college in 1995. I got my certs pretty much right away.)

The Value of MCSE Certifications Today

Of course, things are not the same today as they were then. That is the function of time, to change what was into what is. Nevertheless, the MCSE certification continues to be both a badge of honor among IT professionals, and a powerful card to play when seeking a new job or a promotion.

However, the MCSE gravy train may finally be coming to an end.

When Microsoft first announced its new certification paradigm, there was much hand wringing and more than a few pronouncements that the IT world was doomed. It turns out that those sentiments were premature. The MCSE on Windows Server 2003 stepped in unnoticed as the “next” MCSE certification and IT professionals have been content to pursue, hold, and display the MCSE ever since.

So, what has changed?

Impact of Windows 7

Microsoft released Windows Server 2008 with exactly five years spacing between the last major server OS release (at least based on version number). True to form, corporate IT managers and directors remembered the advice they got somewhere along their career path: “When it comes to Microsoft always wait for SP1.”

That coupled with the diminished economy, budget cuts, and the fact that plenty of companies hated Windows Vista, all add up to Windows Server 2003 remaining the “standard” Microsoft server platform in most enterprises. But, with the release of Windows 7, change is on the horizon.

It has been a decade or more since most corporations last upgraded their operating system. There is no rush to upgrade now, but everyone knows that while Windows XP has become a solid, reliable, work horse, the future is Windows 7.

While there will be no stampede to upgrade to Windows 7 right away (after all, many companies will be waiting for SP1) the fact that an OS upgrade is coming raises some issues.

Perhaps the first question on the minds of IT executives is the order of the upgrades. With most enterprises still running Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, there are two major upgrades in the works. Upgrading to Windows Server 2008 first allows a company to take advantage of the newer, better, faster, easier to use tools to create and distribute an OS upgrade across a large environment.

Windows Server 2008 was released into a world where Microsoft was fully aware that the main upgrade in the enterprise would be from XP to Windows 7, there promises to be less integration issues between Windows 7 and Server 2008; in contrast to Microsoft’s focus the past few years on Server 2003 being used to upgrade XP to Vista.

Even more importantly, Windows Server 2008 not only already has SP1, it also already has R2, which means that more of those real world glitches that are so stubborn to find have been stomped out. Windows 7, in contrast, still hasn’t has a way to go.

MCSE 2008: How I learned to stop worrying and love the MCITP

The new world order that is emerging will soon be looking for system administrators, architects, consultants, engineers, and other IT pros that are certified in Windows Server 2008. They’ll be surprised to find that their former go-to certification, the MCSE is no longer around.

Those keeping an eye on the job boards, especially the more mainstream ones, can expect to see more than a couple postings looking for MCSE 2008 certifications while the world at large slowly comes to terms with Microsoft’s bizarre decision to sacrifice the virtually household name of MCSE for a confusing collection of who-outranks-who certifications.

MCITP is the new MCSE

Microsoft’s PR machine is big, if not effective, and eventually the world will come to at least a basic understanding of the new certification paradigm.

Until then, companies big and small will be looking to map what they already know on top of the new system. When they do, they’ll notice that MCTS can be had with just one exam for one product. That makes it the MCP, or the certification that people use because they can’t get an MCSE, or haven’t gotten there yet.

Then, they will take a look at the MCITP, with it multiple exam requirements across different technologies and products and they will decide that the MCITP is the new MCSE. In other words, shortly after the job postings for MCSE 2008 start appearing, postings for MCITP 2008 will appear without regard to “in what”.

Some hiring managers will overshoot and find themselves woefully lacking in applicants for a position that requires a MCM Server 2008 or a MCA Server Administrator. Then again, perhaps they’ll be flooded with applications that state this, since there is no such thing, perhaps I would be a good match.

How-To Upgrade Your MCSE to MCITP

Microsoft is all too aware that while there are over 155,000 MCSE Server 2003 certifications, there are fewer than 10,000 MCITP Server Administrators. It doesn’t look good when there are not enough people who are “qualified” to handle your products.

Fortunately, for holders of MCSE in Windows Server 2003, there is a very attractive upgrade path to the MCITP certification.

For Server 2003 MCSEs, just one Microsoft certification upgrade exam is required to get three 2008 MCTS certifications — Active Directory, Network Infrastructure, and Applications Infrastructure Configuration.

If you are wondering how to list that kind of certification on your resume and business card — MCTS(3), perhaps? — then you have an idea of why the new certification paradigm is not as user friendly as its predecessor.

Professionals who take advantage of this route can spend the next four or five years as MCSE 2003, MCTS 2008 certified while both the number of companies using Windows Server 2008 and the number of professionals with 2008 certifications slowly starts to build.

For older MCSEs, upgrading to MCITP isn’t as easy. The upgrade exams for Windows Server 2000 MCSEs have already been retired. For MCSE NT4 (like yours truly) the upgrade path involves taking almost all the same exams as someone without a certification. However, many individual exams count toward some of the MCITP requirements, particularly those from the “Choose One” areas.

There will be considerable value in being both a MCSE 2003 and MCITP for the next several years. For that reason, professionals capable of completing the MCSE 2003 certification quickly, would be best off getting their MCSE 2003 and then upgrading it instead of going straight for the MCITP.

Why Getting Your MCSE Now Is Still A Good Idea

Brian Nelson — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:12 +0000

For over a decade, an MCSE certification was the golden ticket in the world of IT.

An MCSE meant that, not only had you demonstrated an understanding of systems administration and the skills necessary to run a Windows-based enterprise, but also that you were willing to take the extra necessary steps to achieve a long-term IT based goal.

Those two attributes were the best available indicator of someone having what it takes to be a quality sys admin.

Then, Microsoft inexplicably pulled the plug on its highly successful technology certification. In a misguided effort to make Microsoft certification “more relevant” to specific job functions, the company made wholesale changes to the entire certification program instead of tweaking the areas that needed improvement.

In doing so, the company left behind a fog of confusion for both IT professionals, who wondered what certification track to pursue, and for managers who wondered what certification actually matched up with the available position.

There Goes the Last MCSE

The Tom Petty song, Last DJ laments the growing influence of corporations in radio. An enterprise that was once the bastion of people who loved music had grown into one focused only on dollars and cents. It is not unlike what has happened to Microsoft certification.

The MCSE program was both a demonstration of technical abilities, and a badge of honor among Microsoft IT personnel. Senior systems administrators with years of experience and skills that no one would ever question still put forth the effort to get their MCSE designation, even if they did not intend to look for a new position.

The MCSE became what it was, not because of Microsoft, but because the IT community itself took up the MCSE as something to be obtained and respected. When the company took it away, something was lost, and Microsoft Certification became something the company did, not something that we did.

While it is true that the letters MCSE on your business card did not mean you were qualified for a particular job, what it did mean was that you had the skills, knowledge, commitment, and ability to do ANY job given the right resources and training. An MCSE said that you were the kind of computer professional who could learn new, complex, interrelated technologies and then apply them in a given environment.

Not everyone can do that, no matter how much training they get. That is what made it so valuable, not that it mimicked the job functions of a specific position.

Is MCSE Still the Golden Ticket?

While Microsoft officially killed the MCSE with its certification overhaul, the real world has been slow to follow along. Although Windows Server 2008 is the current version, Windows Server 2003 still dominates the corporate landscape making a Server 2003 MCSE the highest certification level necessary in most enterprises.

Indeed, a quick glance at Microsoft’s own job search shows many high-level positions, including Architect and Senior Consultant still requiring a MCSE 2003, or getting an MCSE 2003 within six months.

Even though “2003″ makes the certification sound dated to untrained ears, most technology professionals still regard the 2003 MCSE as the current certification. Forums and web sites around the Internet still advise those looking to upgrade their certifications or positions, or those looking to get into the field to focus on getting the MCSE on 2003.

Everybody Panic … Or, Not

But all of that may finally be changing.

With the imminent release of Windows 7, the new features in Windows Server 2008 become even more alluring. Unlike Vista, which was largely skipped by the enterprise, and Server 2008, which has not become a “necessary” upgrade for businesses still working through budget cuts yet, Windows 7 starts the clock ticking at most companies.

While no one will be looking to rush into a system-wide upgrade right away, the over/under on the number of years left with the XP and Server 2003 pairing as the dominant corporate standard has been set at something less than four or five.

In other words, the MCSE on 2003 won’t be the “current” certification for very much longer.

Microsoft has put too much effort into its new certification model to turn back now. However, if it becomes clear that the revamped model is not producing the desired effect, certain changes could be made.

The most likely being a consolidation of the bewildering array of titles.

In the meantime, Microsoft has provided 2003 Server MCSEs with a two exam upgrade path. The good news is that these upgrade paths provide for a quick road to what appears to be the MCSE heir-apparent, the MCITP, with an interim stop at the MCTS certification.

For MCSE on Server 2003, just one Microsoft certification upgrade exam is required to get three 2008 MCTS certifications: Active Directory, Network Infrastructure, Applications Infrastructure Configuration. If you are wondering how to list that kind of certification on your resume and business card (MCTS x 3, perhaps?) then you have an idea of why the new certification paradigm is not as user friendly as its predecessor.

Is the MCSE Still Worth It?

All of which leads us to the big question: Is the MCSE still worth getting?

The answer is yes.

Windows Server 2003 will continue to be the dominant installed Microsoft server product for at least a few more years, and won’t become a rarity for the better part of a decade. Even with a high-level Windows Server 2008 certification, IT professionals who can demonstrate skill in BOTH 2008 and 2003 platforms will be most highly prized.

Indeed, the most sought after system administrator consulting skill of the next decade will be migrating Server 2003 to Server 2008.

In addition, while the newer MCITP tracks pigeonhole computer pros into specific product tracks, the 2003 MCSE still carries the can-do-anything label that managers find so desirable. There will be a new president before professionals drop MCSE 2003 from their business cards and resumes (and that’s true regardless of whether the current guy gets re-elected).

In fact, the value of 2003 MCSEs will only grow for next several years with those 9 characters being proof that not only are you highly skilled and certified, but that you have plenty of experience too!

So get cracking, get your MCSE on Windows Server 2003. Then, when 2013 rolls around and the usual business card exchange takes place around the conference room table, and among the 7 IT pros with MCITP 2008 you will be the only one with MCITP 2008 and MCSE 2003 on your card.

Oh, and when the Executive Vice President of Whatever (who doesn’t know as much as he thinks about IT) looks down impressed and says, “You’re a MCITP AND an MCSE? Wow,” don’t forget to thank me.

MCSE vs MCITP: Is the MCSE Still Worth It?

Gosia Grabowska — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:00:26 +0000

A lot of IT professionals as well as entry level IT guys and gals are still confused about which Windows Server certification they should work on.

Which one is more valuable? Which one is going to get you a better job? Should you get your MCSE certification or go for the new MCITP?

These are all valid questions and they are not easy to answer. You have to keep in mind that one certification may work great for one person, and it may not work out so well for another.

To make the right decision, you really need to take some time, evaluate your situation and your current position, and come up with a solution that will work for you. To help you get started I would suggest to take into consideration your current job situation and ask yourself these questions:

Is my company still using Server 2003? If so, for how long?
Am I going to be involved with Server 2008 migration?
How long do I plan on staying with my current company?
Do I plan on getting a new job?
Do I want a promotion?
Do I want to completely change my career?

All these questions (and few more that you might come up with) will help you determine which certification path to go with. But here, let me clarify some info for you guys; let’s start with Windows Server 2003.

Windows Server 2003 MCSA/MCSE

The MCSA and MCSE certifications are very similar. In fact, 4 specific exams required for your MCSE will get you your MCSA in the progress. Then once you pass 3 additional exams you become MCSE certified.

So there are 4 exams required for the MCSA and 7 exams for the MCSE. As you can see the MCSE certification is a little more desirable than the MCSA because it’s more advanced and you’re required to know more (plus you need to pass 3 additional exams).

MCSA Exam Requirements

To become MCSA certified you are required to pass the following exams:

Exam 70-290 – Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment
Exam 70-291 – Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

And one of these two elective exams:

Exam 70-620 – TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
Exam 70-270 – Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional

Plus one additional exam, which is also an elective exam, from a list of about 20 exams to choose from. Here is the complete list — just make sure you’re looking at the Elective Exams under MCSA on Windows Server 2003.

This makes it a total of 4 exams — two required and two electives — to obtain your MCSA on Windows Server 2003.

MCSE Exam Requirements

Once you get your MCSA you will only need to pass the following 3 exams to become MCSE Certified:

Exam 70-293 – Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Exam 70-294 – Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

And one of these two:

Exam 70-297 – Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
Exam 70-298 – Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network

For more information on the MCSE requirements, exams and their objectives, check out this page.

Windows Server 2008 MCTS/MCITP

Just like with MCSA and MCSE, the MCTS and MCITP certifications are also closely connected. You get one certification on your way to another, except that you earn your MCTS title after passing only a single exam. This is the complete list of the Microsoft exams that you can take to earn your MCTS credential.

It’s also good to know that by passing two of the MCTS exams, you get two MCTS certifications with two specific titles. For example, if you pass the Windows Vista – Configuration (70-620) Exam and the Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration (70-640) Exam you have two MCTS certifications:

MCTS: Windows Vista, Configuration
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration

And you can continue to earn your MCTS certifications as you pass additional MCTS exams.

So … how do you earn your MCITP?

MCITP Exam Requirements

Well first let me mention that there are two MCITP certifications for Windows Server 2008: MCITP: Server Administrator and MCITP: Enterprise Administrator.

For the MCITP Server Administrator Certification you will need to pass:

Exam 70-640 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
Exam 70-642 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
Exam 70-646 – Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

For the MCITP Enterprise Administrator Certification you will need to pass:

Exam 70-640 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
Exam 70-642 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
Exam 70-643 – TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring

Plus one of these:

Exam 70-620 – TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
Exam 70-624 – TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

And the final exam:

Exam 70-647 – Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

Notice that exams 70-640 and 70-642 are required for both the Server Admin and Enterprise Admin certs (so it’s probably wise to start with those two exams). The MCITP Enterprise Administrator, like the MCSE, is a bit more advanced and as you can tell, it requires more knowledge and more testing.

If you’re interested in learning more about the two Server 2008 MCITP Certs check out:

The “Other” MCITP Certifications

I know this is a little off topic, since we are talking about Windows Server certification paths … but I thought I’d mention it anyway.

You can get MCITP certified in SQL Server, Exchange, Windows Client and Microsoft Office Project Server — not just Windows Server. There are several options when it comes to earning your MCITP and it really depends on your personal interests and what you would like to do in the future.

Do you like doing support work and see yourself working at a Help Desk? (I worked at a Help Desk and really enjoyed helping people, it was also a really good experience for me.) If so, then the MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician might be the right choice for you.

If you enjoy working with databases then consider one of the SQL Server MCITP’s — there are 6 to choose from!

There are even two choices for your Server 2008 MCITP cert, that I mentioned above, so it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about the different MCITP certifications before you decide which one is right for you.

Check out the MCITP list from Microsoft to learn more about your choices when it comes to earning your MCITP certification.

The Final Question: MCSE or MCITP?

Option 1: MCITP

To make the right decision, first consider your situation.

If you only passed one of the required MCSE exams and you don’t currently work with Server 2003 (or plan on working with it in the near future) then it might be more advantageous for you to switch over to Server 2008 and start working on your MCITP.

Option 2: MCSE

However, there are many people that already started working towards their MCSE but, for whatever reason didn’t complete it. Should they just abandon their MCSE path and switch to the new MCITP? Well, it depends.

Think about the questions I posed at the beginning of this article and consider how many exams you still need to complete to earn your MCSE.

At this point it becomes a no brainer — if you already passed 5 of the exams and have only 2 left then you might as well finish your MCSE, since you have already invested a lot of time and effort (not to mention money) on this certification path.

Option 3: MCSE & MCITP

There are advantages to going this route — you earn your MCSE on Server 2003 and then take the additional upgrade exams to earn your MCITP on Server 2008.

The upgrade paths are an awesome shortcut. With an MCSE on Server 2003 (sorry Server 2000 doesn’t qualify for this upgrade) you can earn 3 MCTS certifications by passing a single upgrade exam:

Exam 70-649 – TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist.

After that you need only one exam to earn your MCITP Server Admin:

Exam 70-646 – PRO: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

Or two exams to earn your MCITP Enterprise Admin:

Exam 70-620 – TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client

Exam 70-624 – TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

and

Exam 70-647 – PRO: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

Here’s some additional information on upgrading your MCSE to MCITP on Server 2008.

Where to Find MCSE and MCITP Training?

Whatever your decision is going to be — whether you want to finish up your MCSE or go for your MCITP — we got you covered!

We have training videos that will help you earn both your MCSE and MCITP certifications. We also have training for those of you who are interested in the upgrade path from MCSA/MCSE on Server 2003.

I took the 70-640 and 70-620 exams after watching our videos, just to test our instructors (I know, I’m evil ) and I passed on first try — and so can you!

Here are links to all of our Windows Server 2003 and 2008 training videos:

MCSA/MCSE Server 2003 Training:

MCTS/MCITP Server 2008 Training:

Time to Decide and Get Windows Server Certified!

No more excuses! No more procrastinating! No more wasting time!

The new MCITP’s have been out for over a year now and it’s time for you to take action — either finish up what you already started on your MCSE path (then take the upgrade exams to earn your MCITP) or, if you think that completing your MCSE is a waste of time then start working toward your MCITP. Either way, it’s time to make a decision and get certified.

I hope that my article will be able to help you make the right decision and remember, you can always post your specific situation in the comments below and I will try to help you as best as I can! Good luck!

Lesson 10: Server 2008 MCITP Certifications

Coach Culbertson — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:00:09 +0000

I know a lot of you are interested in learning about the new certifications and upgrade paths for current MCSA’s and MCSE’s. Today we’ll talk about which exams you’ll need to pass to move your skill set up and achieve the MCITP certification.

I’ll explain in detail what the MCTS and MCITP certifications are and which exams you need to pass to achieve each certification. I will also talk about how you can obtain the MCITP: Server Administrator and MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certifications if you’re just starting out and what the upgrade paths are for those of you with a current MCSA or MCSE.

Here’s what’s covered in this video:

New Server Certifications for Network Admins — MCTS, MCITP: Server Administrator, MCITP: Enterprise Administrator

Upgrade paths — MCSA to MCTS, MCSE to MCTS, MCSA to MCITP, MCSE to MCITP

Cool new Server 2008 features — for those of you who are new to Server 2008 you’ll be able to get a taste of what’s new including virtualization, multicasting, failover clustering, next generation TCP/IP, and much more

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