Not every certification in the Microsoft Certification world is technical in nature. There are two certifications in the business track that focus on your ability to use Microsoft Office and Windows technologies to perform office functions.
The first is the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) category, which focuses on your ability to use 2007 Microsoft Office applications. The certification is application specific, with the following titles:
- MCAS: Windows Vista for the Business Worker – Exam 77-600
- MCAS: Microsoft Office Word 2007 – Exam 77-601
- MCAS: Microsoft Office Excel 2007 – Exam 77-602
- MCAS: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 – Exam 77-603
- MCAS: Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 – Exam 77-604
- MCAS: Microsoft Office Access 2007 – Exam 77-605
To obtain the Master Certification, which is the ultimate goal of the MCAS program, you need to pass these exams for Microsoft Office Word 2007, Excel 2007, PowerPoint 2007, and Outlook 2007. Once you complete all four, you receive your Microsoft Office 2007 Master certificate.
The second category is the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) which focuses on older Microsoft office applications – Office 2003, Office XP, and Office 2000. The MOS certification is structured somewhat differently, you can certified as a Specialist, Expert, or Master on specific tracks. To be a Specialist, you need to pass a Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, or Outlook exam. For Expert, you need to pass either the Word Expert or Excel Exam. For Master, you need to pass Word Expert, Excel Expert, and PowerPoint plus either Access or Outlook.
While Microsoft business certifications are not required, unlikes technical certifications, obtaining one is obviously not trivial. Having such a business certification can separate you from the pool of applicants and give you a leg up for certain business positions. How many times have you seen “Excel skills,” which are certainly not trivial, listed as a job requirement? Having a business certification, even if it’s just an MCAS in one product, will give you an edge.
