MCSA and MCSE on Windows Server 2012 Info

With the release candidate of Windows Server 2012 coming out, Microsoft has finally announced their next generation of certifications:

icon_arrow.gifMicrosoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

icon_arrow.gifMicrosoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

While these acronyms should look familiar to anyone who holds the older Windows Server NT 4.0, 2000, or 2003 certifications, Microsoft has taken the new MCSE in a couple of different directions. Like the MCITP title from the last generation of Microsoft technologies, the new MCSE will focus on several different platforms, not just Windows Server 2012.

What's Changed


Microsoft has made a change to the MCITP: Server Administrator certification, changing the name to MCSA: Windows Server 2008.* Until March 31st of 2013, passing the required exams earns you both the MCSA 2008 and MCITP: SA titles. After that date, you will only be able to earn the MCSA 2008 title. The required exams remain the same and the certification is still valid as long as Windows Server 2008 is supported by Microsoft:

icon_arrow.gif70-640 - Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
icon_arrow.gif70-642 - Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
icon_arrow.gif70-646 - Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

*(Those who hold the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification are also awarded the MCSA: Windows Server 2008 title.)

Starting July 31st, 2013, most MCITP certifications are being retired. This includes MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, along with the desktop support certs on Vista and Windows 7: MCITP Certifications

Please note, while most MCITP certifications are scheduled to retire in 2013, many MCITP-generation exams are going to continue to be offered, including 70-680 (Windows 7, Configuring) and the three exams required for MCSA: Windows Server 2008, as described above. Keep an eye on the Exams Scheduled for Retirement page of the Certification Lifecycle section of Microsoft.com for announcements on any exams that are being discontinued or changed.

What's New


As further developments from Microsoft are announced, this thread will be updated and revised to reflect any changes or new content. For more information on the new features of this operating system, a good place to start is the TechNet Library for Windows Server 2012. The following posts give further details on the new MCSA and MCSE tracks.

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