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by Shane Hicks

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Certification Watch:
MCP vs. MCSA vs. MCSE
March 2002

Shane Hicks is an independent consultant and technical trainer, providing support to individuals and small businesses. He's been in the industry for over 10 years.

Email your questions, it will be answered as space permits.

Several have asked about the new certification from Microsoft, called the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator), where it fits in the certification scheme when compared to the popular MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) certification, and which of these they should pursue. 

There isn’t a simple answer and it really depends on what job you want to do.

Let’s start with a quick overview of Microsoft’s certification offerings.

Microsoft’s entry-level certification is known as the MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional). This title is attained by passing any single Microsoft exam, the offerings of which are listed on Microsoft’s Website. It is intended to show a level of expertise in one particular Microsoft product. It may also be considered as the starting point for your career and a building block for further Microsoft certifications.

The MCSA is positioned as a mid-level certification. It is intended for help desk personnel, administrators, and network managers--those in charge of the day-to-day operation and troubleshooting of Microsoft networks. This person is expected to have six months to a year of experience and must pass four exams (three core and one elective). The core exams are 

  • Exam 70-210: 
    Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Exam 70-215: 
    Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Server 
  • Exam 70-218: 
    Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment
The elective may be selected from the list of exams Microsoft approves on their site. Of special interest, when researching the MCSA requirements: Microsoft will recognize CompTIA's A+ certification and either its Network+ or Server+ certification as an alternative to passing an additional Microsoft elective. With this in mind, many who already hold CompTIA certifications are well on their way to becoming MCSA certified.

The MCSE is Microsoft’s expert certification. An MCSE should be skilled in all MCSA tasks, but should also be able to design entire networks based upon any company’s business requirements and using Microsoft’s line of server software. This generally requires a year or more of experience, which should include some planning and design of new network infrastructure. The testing requirements to become an MCSE are to pass seven exams (five core and two electives). The first two exams (70-210 and 70-215) from the MCSA requirements are two of the core. You must also pass 

  • Exam 70-216: 
    Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure
  • Exam 70-217: 
    Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure. 
Following that, an MCSE candidate must chose one of the design exams: 
  • Exam 70-219: 
    Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure, 
  • Exam 70-220: 
    Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network, 
    or 
  • Exam 70-221: 
    Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure. 
The remaining two electives come from the host of other exams Microsoft lists on their website.
NOTE:  Candidates should also realize, in regards to all certifications, that Microsoft often adds additional exam options to choose from in fulfilling certification requirements. For instance, Microsoft will recognize Windows XP and Windows .NET server exams, once they are released, in exchange for the Windows 2000-based exams highlighted above.

In deciding upon which certification is right, my first suggestion is to think about your desired job description. Get the certification that most closely matches what you want to do. If your goal is to administer systems that are already in place and be involved in daily network operations, then I highly recommend going for the MCSA certification. However, if you eventually want to work at a higher level, where you will be responsible for planning and implementing entire networks, then the MCSE is for you.

You may also wish to use the MCSA as a pre-certification on your way to becoming an MCSE—as a way to get your foot in the door and to gain much needed experience. Though most employers are not yet requiring the MCSA certification for hiring, I expect it to become widely popular. MCSE’s are expected to be experts, and experts are not made by simply passing exams. By placing experience behind your credentials, and using the MCSA to get that experience, you can drastically increase the value of your expert certifications.

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