Microsoft Master/Architect Certification Programs

The Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) and Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) are intended by Microsoft to represent the pinnacle, or highest peak, in their certification portfolio.

Microsoft Certified Master (MCM)
The Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) credential is poised between the MCITP and the MCA (we will discuss the MCA later on in this article).

The “deal” with the MCM is that you (a) hone your expertise by attending three weeks (!) of training at the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington; and you (b) demonstrate your technical competency by passing two computer-based exams and one lab practical exam.

The four MCA content areas are as follows:

Exchange Server 2007
SQL Server 2008
Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
Certification Details
Because the Microsoft Certified Master program is so brand spanguide new, details are fairly sketchy at the moment. Registration for the Exchange, SQL Server, and Windows Server 2008 training is scheduled to begin in July 2008. The SharePoint program isn’t slated to begin until December 2008.

According to Microsoft sources, the three weeks of instructor-led training is required to attain the credential and costs a whopping $18,500 USD. While the tuition covers the cost of the training and your first attempt at the three exams, the fee does NOT cover airfare, hotel accomodations, or food.

The MCM is officially a prerequisite certification for those interested in earning the Microsoft Certified Architect title. Here is the direct link from Microsoft.com:

“Master certification is a primary prerequisite for all technical Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certifications.”

Frankly, I am a bit skeptical of the MCM, at least as of today. I don’t know about you, but I do not know too many people in industry who can afford almost $20,000 out of their departmental budget to send someone to this MCM training. That is besides the “3 weeks of time off from work” factor. This program seems to me to be a little “pie in the sky.” What do you think?

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Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA)
As of this writing, the MCA is Microsoft’s most rigorous certification program. These folks must demonstrate top-tier hands-on expertise with a particular Microsoft technology as well as outstanding planning and implementation skills.

The MCA Technology track includes three areas of technology specialization:

MCA Messaging (Microsoft Exchange Server)
MCA Database (Microsoft SQL Server with emphasis on OLTP)
MCA: Infrastructure (Microsoft and non-Microsoft technologies)
Program Requirements
I snagged the following paragraph directly from the MCA Web site at Microsoft.com:

“The MCA technology training has two parts. The first component is four weeks of mandatory technical training, which includes weekly written exams. Candidates who pass the training are eligible to participate in the second component: certification. Certification consists of an online lab based exam and a Review Board interview. Candidates have the option of attempting the final certification criteria during the week following the training or deferring them to a later date.”

Wow! That is a fairly significant time investment, isn’t it? What about the program fees? Again, here is Microsoft’s own reply to that question:

“The cost of the program is US$10,000. One half of the program fee is due when you register for the program. The remaining US$5,000 is due when you schedule your review board interview. The cost of the program will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.”

Frankly, the tuition issue here is slippery, and appears to depend upon which reference you are examining. Other Web sites claim tuition and fees of up to $25,000 for the entire MCA program process. Here is another Microsoft link claiming just that amount of money.

Considering 4 weeks of instructor-led training, 25K seems more pragmatic than 10K, although to me, the notion of paying $25,000 and being away from my job for one month for a single certification title is patently absurd.

What say you?

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