MCSA Defined

Definition:
MCSA stands for "Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator". Becoming MCSE certified will open up new doors to your career as an Information Technology professional. This is the basic Microsoft certification and should be taken by anyone who plans to work in a Microsoft environment.

MCSA on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Certification Requirements
(Published by Microsoft as of May, 2004):

Core Exams (3 Exams Required)

Two networking system exams
Exam 70–290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
Exam 70–291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

One client operating system exam
Exam 70–270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows® XP Professional
Exam 70-210: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

Elective Exams (1 Exam Required)
Together with the core exams, the elective exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise to successfully manage and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium-to- large-sized companies. MCSA candidates should have 6–12 months of experience administering client and network operating systems.

Elective Exams
Exam 70–086: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
Exam 70-227: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition
Exam 70-228: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Enterprise Edition
Exam 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
Exam 70-299: Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network

Upgrade Exams (2 Exams Required)
Microsoft has designed an upgrade path that will enable a current MCSA on Windows® 2000 to earn the Windows Server 2003 credential in a time- and cost-effective manner.

Definition | MCSE | MCSA | MCSD | MCAD