Microsoft Certified Architect Certification

Microsoft certified architects are experts in information technology.

The Microsoft certified architect (MCA) credential was designed for individuals who have at least 10 years of information technology (IT) experience and work as an IT architect and have the Microsoft certified master (MCM) credential. The credential helped to distinguish MCAs from other individuals in the IT field who didn't have the certification. As of July 2010, Microsoft is planning to discontinue the MCA credential.

Credentials

Because there are several servers that MCAs may work with, Microsoft offered three different MCA credentials for each of the servers. These certifications were the MCA: Microsoft Exchange Server credential, the MCA: Microsoft SQL Server credential and the MCA: Windows Server: Directory credential, according to Microsoft. Microsoft plans on adding MCA credentials for the Microsoft Office Communications Server and the Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, but as of July 2010, these certifications are not available.

Certification Process

There are several steps to becoming an MCA. First you must have the MCM credential. After meeting that eligibility requirement, you may register and pay for the MCA program. As of July 2010, the MCA application costs $125; however, there is an additional $5,000 fee once you are accepted into the program. Upon being accepted and paying the additional fee, you should begin developing a dossier and preparing for the final interview.

Interview Format

The interview for the MCA credential lasts up to two and a half hours. The first 30-minute session of the interview is reserved for introductions and the presentation of the potential MCA’s case study. In the case study, you should present an overview, discuss project goals and success criteria as well as give examples of technical or political challenges. The next 40 minutes is a question and answer session that revolves around the case study. After a short break, the remainder of the interview is devoted to more questions and answers, a potential role play scenario, and conclusions.

Salary Potential

The salaries of current MCAs vary based on the type of work that they do. Some of the highest paid MCAs are those working as senior database administrators (DBAs) who report a salary range of $82,500 to $112,300. Those working as senior software engineers, developers or programmers report a salary range of $59,100 to $94,700 while those working as IT consultants report a salary range of $47,200 to $96,800, according to PayScale.com. As of July 2010, IT project managers report a salary range of $89,000 to $105,800 and those working as senior quality assurance engineers in computer software have a salary range of $60,000 to $78,000.

Discontinuation

As of July 2010, Microsoft is preparing to discontinue the MCA credential. If you already have the MCA certification, Microsoft has put in place measures to help you transition to another certification. However, this offer is only available from May 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2010. You have the option to choose between two offers. For the first, Microsoft will fund your participation in the Certified IT Architect–Professional (CITA-P) certification program from the International Association of Software Architects (IASA) and provide you with a one-year membership to IASA. The other option Microsoft has is a funded, three-year membership for the Open Group’s Association of Open Group Enterprise Architects (AOGEA) program.

References

• Microsoft: MS Certified Architect Program
• PayScale.com: MCA
• Microsoft: Steps to Becoming a Microsoft Certified Architect
• Microsoft: Interview