Microsoft Expert certifications: Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

Turning Motivated Individuals into Office Superstars
Discover the only performance-based certification that validates the skills needed to get the most out of Microsoft Office. Whether you want to drive your career or increase your productivity on the job, earning the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification demonstrates the valuable expertise you need to succeed.

Level: N/A

Audience: Information workers, students

Type: Microsoft Certification

Overview

You can earn a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification on Microsoft Office programs and Windows operating systems. This certification features Web-based pretests, program-specific certification exams, and a series of Microsoft Press step-by-step books that help you demonstrate expertise in accomplishing essential job tasks across multiple programs. After earning an MOS certification, you receive access to a member Web site where you can print transcripts to demonstrate proof of certification and receive a certificate that verifies your successful completion of the exam. Additionally, professionals who earn this certification gain access to a certification logo that they can display on their resumes and other business materials.

Why get certified

Earning a Microsoft Office Specialist certification can help you differentiate yourself in today's competitive job market, broaden your employment opportunities by displaying your advanced skills, and result in higher earning potential. Microsoft Office Specialist certification can also lead to increased job satisfaction. Research indicates that certified individuals have increased competence, productivity, and credibility with their employers, co-workers, and clients.

For employers, the certification provides skill-verification tools that not only help assess a person's skills in using Microsoft Office programs but also the ability to quickly complete on-the-job tasks across multiple programs in the Microsoft Office system.

Microsoft Expert certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) certifications provide proof of your ability to design and build application solutions in a complex business environment. MCSD certifications will be available for the next release of Visual Studio.

If you are a developer using Visual Studio 2010, we recommend earning a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certification on Visual Studio 2010 today. In most cases, upgrade paths will be available that will shorten your path to the corresponding MCSD certification, once it is available.

Microsoft Expert certifications: Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)

Prove your range of real-world skills and expertise in using Microsoft technologies by earning a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification.

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Audience: IT professional

Type: Microsoft Certification

MCITP Overview

The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification helps validate that an individual has the comprehensive set of skills necessary to perform a particular IT job role, such as database administrator or enterprise messaging administrator. MCITP certifications build on the technical proficiency measured in the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications. Therefore, you will earn one or more MCTS certifications on your way to earning an MCITP certification.
MCITP certifications will not be updated for future versions of Microsoft products. In most cases, as an MCITP, you will be eligible for special upgrade paths to new Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certifications. Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE) is focused on an experienced professional’s ability to design and build technology solutions in the cloud and on premise.
Your MCITP certification will remain valuable as long as companies are using the technology on which it certifies.

MCITP candidate profile

MCITP candidates are IT professionals capable of deploying, building, designing, optimizing, and operating technologies for a particular job role. They make the design and technology decisions necessary to ensure successful technology implementation projects.

Why get certified?

Earning a Microsoft Certification helps validate your proven experience and helps you build your career, whether you are new to technology or a seasoned professional. The benefits you receive after earning a Microsoft Certification provide you with opportunities to connect with a vast, global network of Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs). Research shows that certification is a value to you and your organization:

Relevance Helps validate real-world skills	63% of hiring managers think that certified individuals are more productive on the job Training and certification are necessary to maintain a high level of performance
Journey Helps build your career	43% of office workers report salary increases as a result of Microsoft Certification 57% of Microsoft-certified professionals expected to receive pay bonuses this year
Community Relationship with Microsoft and IT peers	Certified teams are 28% more productive* Microsoft Certification provides access to unique Microsoft resources, including a community of certified professionals