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MCSA Sees Significant Growth in First Year
The past year saw the introduction of two new Microsoft certifications, and one grew by leaps and bounds in its first 12 months.
The past year saw the introduction of two new Microsoft certifications,
and one grew by leaps and bounds in its first 12 months.
The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) went live Jan. 22,
2002; and within the first five months, about 22,000 people had attained
the title, making it Microsoft’s fastest-growing credential ever, according
to the company. That growth continued for the entire year, and as of the
beginning of 2003, there were 47,634 title-holders. According to the monthly
figures published in MCP Magazine, about 4,000 people earned the credential
each month.
The other new title was Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD),
which was released in September. As is typical with Microsoft’s developer-related
certifications, it was considerably less popular, with 1,306 individuals
having obtained the credential in the first three months of availability.
Both certifications require passing fewer tests than their more-difficult-to-achieve
counterparts, the MCSE and MCSD. Microsoft says both are aimed more toward
those who use the technologies on a day-in, day-out basis, rather than
the design and implementation of systems. Both are also to be considered
by some mere stepping-stones on the way to the more prestigious titles,
but Microsoft disputes that notion, saying they were introduced to more
closely align with actual job functions.
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For the year 2002, 357,150 Microsoft credentials
were earned. They include the following (the total number of certifications
issued for each title is listed on the MCPmag.com home page):
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Certification numbers for 2002 are up over the previous year, surprising
given the downturn in IT spending and hiring. Compared to 2001, about
36 percent more certifications were earned, perhaps due to job-seekers
looking for a competitive edge in the marketplace.
In 2001, 142,028 MCP credentials were earned; 63,815 MCSEs; 15,493 MCSDs;
and 37,917 MCDBAs. Those are the only directly applicable certifications,
as designations like MCP+Internet and MCP+Site Building weren’t available
in 2002.
About the Author
Keith Ward is the editor in chief of Virtualization & Cloud Review. Follow him on Twitter @VirtReviewKeith.