United States Change | All Microsoft Sites

Microsoft Certified Master Program

Updated: November 3, 2008

More about Master certification

•

Read a message from the Director of Advanced Training and Certification in this MSDN blog

Do you have what it takes to become a Microsoft Certified Master?

Introducing Master certifications

The new Microsoft Certified Master series offers advanced technical training and certifications on Microsoft technologies that go beyond any product training offered outside of Microsoft today. IT professionals who successfully complete the training program and certification testing validate their skills as product experts who successfully design and implement solutions that meet the most complex business requirements.

Exclusive advanced training

The strength of Microsoft Master training begins with an experience-based curriculum that is built on a foundation of expert-level classroom training and labs. This curriculum is presented by instructors from Microsoft and Microsoft global network partners who are practiced experts in their discipline. The instructors draw upon their real-world experience to ensure that students learn the skills that apply to real-world customer scenarios. The program includes three weeks of highly intensive classroom training, three computer-based tests, and one lab-based exam per training rotation (training and exam series).

Certification

Master certification enables senior-level IT professionals to demonstrate and validate their technical expertise on Microsoft server products and authoritatively differentiate themselves to prospective employers and customers. Master certification is a prerequisite for all Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certifications.

• Learn about MCA certification

Microsoft offers five Master-level certifications, all of which deepen and broaden the technical skills of experienced IT professionals.

• Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

• Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft SQL Server 2008

• Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Server 2008: Directory

• Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007

• Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007

Qualification requirements

Qualified Microsoft Certified Master candidates are highly skilled technical experts in their discipline and have several years of experience designing, deploying, and managing solutions by using Microsoft technology. To be eligible for Master certification, the candidate must be a current Microsoft Certified Professional (with a Microsoft Certification ID) or an eligible Microsoft employee. Specific technology requirements vary by platform.

To achieve Master certification, candidates must:

• Attend required sessions (three weeks total)

• Successfully complete all in-class (written and lab) exams (up to three exams)

• Successfully complete a qualification lab exam