MCSE Certification (Windows Server 2003)

About MCSE 2003 certification exam

Microsoft's MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) certification on Windows Server 2003 is one of the most popular Microsoft certifications today. The MCSE 2003 certification has been designed for professionals who analyze the business requirements and design and implement the infrastructure solutions for business based on the Microsoft Windows OS clients and Windows 2003 Server operating systems.

Pass all of the following core Networking System exams:

• 70-290 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
• 70-291 Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• 70-293 Windows Server 2003 Network Plan.
• 70-294 Windows 2003 Planning Active Directory

Pass one of the following core Client Operating Systems exams:

• 70-270 Windows XP Professional
• 70-620 MCTS: Windows Vista

Pass one of the following core Design exams:

• 70-297 Windows 2003 Design Active Directory
• 70-298 Windows 2003 Security Design

Pass one of the following elective Exams:

• SY0-101 Security+
• 70-270 Windows XP Professional
• 70-284 Exchange Server 2003 Installation
• 70-297 Windows 2003 Design Active Directory
• 70-298 Windows 2003 Security Design
• 70-299 Windows 2003 Implementing Security
• 70-620 MCTS: Windows Vista

Note: If you have chosen exam 70-297 for the MCSE Design exams, you cannot choose it again as an elective. The same is true for the 70-298 exam.

Job Roles for MCSE Certified Professional

The job roles for those pursuing MCSE certification typically include: systems engineers, technical support engineers, systems analysts, network analysts, and technical consultants.

MCSE 2003 Specializations

The MCSE 2003 certification track offers two specializations that are based on the specific job requirements such as Messaging and Security.

• MCSE Messaging(choose 70-284 Exchange server 2003 Installation as elective )
• MCSE Security (choose 70-299 Windows 2003 Implementing Security as elective)

MCSE Certification Requirements

There are no prerequisites for the MCSE 2003 certification and you can go for it, if you have experience of working in complex computing environments of medium to large organizations. To become MCSE certified, you have to pass six mandatory core exams and one elective exam. The core exams are divided into four Networking Systems exams, one Client Operating Systems exam and one Design exam.

If you would like to know more about the MCSE 2003 certification please visit: MCSE 2003 certification exam page.

MCSE certification benefits

• Microsoft operating systems are the most widely used operating systems today and the MCSE certification proves expertise on the Microsoft products and technologies.
• Professionals holding the MCSE certification are preferred by the employers and they also get preference in promotions.
• MCSE certification is helpful for professionals who have entry-level certification in related technologies to upgrade their credentials and get recognition from the industry.
• MCSE Certified professional can find appropriate job easily and get paid more.
• And most importantly, on average, an MCSE certified person gets 20% more salary.

MCSE 2000 to MCSE 2003 Upgrade

If you are already certified as an MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000, you have to take the two upgrade exams (70-292 and 70-296) to become MCSE 2003 certified.

MCSA to MCSE 2003 Upgrade

If you are already an MCSA certified on windos 2000 you can upgrade your certification to MCSE 2003 certification by taking two Networking Systems exams ((70-293 and (70-294)and an Upgrade exam (70-292).

MCSE NT to MCSE 2003 Upgrade