Online Microsoft Certificate Programs and Courses

Many online programs offer Microsoft training in areas of study such as systems administration, application development and desktop support. Upon successful completion of a program, individuals earn a certificate and are prepared to sit for the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exam applicable to their specialty subject.

Online Microsoft Certificate Programs Overview

Information technology (IT) professionals may enroll in Microsoft certificate programs to enhance their administrative training and operational skills. Students develop proficiency in areas such as office applications, desktop engineering and database administration. Some programs terminate in a certificate and students must go through Microsoft to take a certification exam; others are approved Microsoft partners that, upon completion of all coursework, administer official tests and have the power to authorize Microsoft certification in a particular subject.

Program Information and Requirements

Entrance requirements vary by institution; however, applicants generally must possess an associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. In addition, prospective students should be familiar with DOS and computer networking protocols, possess Windows interface skills and demonstrate an ability to install and configure hardware, software and device drivers. Schools may list specific Microsoft software programs that incoming students are expected to have installed on their computers.
Most programs are offered completely online. Students use online learning management systems, such as Blackboard, to complete and submit required coursework as well as interact with professors and peers through discussion boards and chat rooms. Because of the extremely technical nature of these programs, participants must have access to a computer that meets both institutional and Microsoft standards.

Partial List of Online Microsoft Certificate Programs

Following is a partial list of Microsoft certificate programs that are available online. A complete list of certification requirements and titles is available through Microsoft.

Microsoft Office Specialist 2003 (MOS) Certificate

Students learn basic through advanced Microsoft Office 2003 programs including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. They are assigned specific tasks within each program to develop proficiency. Successful completion of this program allows learners to sit for the official Microsoft Office Specialist national certification exam.

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Certificate

This certificate is geared toward .NET software developers. Learners develop skills to deploy, build, optimize and operate applications through the use of Microsoft Visual Studio for use within a .NET framework. Areas of focus include an overview of .NET 3.5 and 4.0, Visual Studio 2008 or 2010 and SQL Server 2005 or 2008.

Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) Certificate

This online program provides students with the necessary skills to design, implement and manage Microsoft SQL Server 2000 databases. Areas of focus include physical database designs, logical data models, data services and security.

Career Information for Certificate-Holders

Those who have completed authorized Microsoft certificate programs are eligible to sit for complementary certification exams, whether through the school itself or another approved agency. IT professionals that hold Microsoft certification are generally qualified to seek positions such as software developer and database administrator. According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for an entry-level network administrator was $57,074 as of February 2011, with that of database administrators coming in at $86,819.