Achieving IT certifications through the Microsoft Certification Program shows a person’s competence in a specific Microsoft technology, and it can result in all kinds of work-related and personal benefits. For example, studies show that IT certifications increase the chances of landing a job (or getting a promotion), and more than 80 percent of hiring managers report that IT certifications are a medium or high priority in making hiring decisions.
Currently, the Microsoft Certification Program is divided into six main categories. As you can see in the diagram below, these cover all Microsoft products and technologies.
Mobility Path: Acquire the necessary skills to deploy mobility management solutions for large businesses.
Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Path: Get certified to use the Microsoft Cloud Platform infrastructure and learn how to deploy cloud-based solutions using Microsoft Azure and Windows server virtualization technologies.
Productivity Path: This is mainly related to deploying enterprise solutions using Microsoft Office Cloud products. If you want to get certified for Microsoft Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint and Skype for business, then you should follow the productivity path.
Data Management and Analysis Path: Learn how to setup, manage and deploy SQL Server solutions and how to utilize the capabilities of Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) products to support BI projects.
App Builder Path: If you want to work as a software developer, the app builder path will teach you everything you need to know about Microsoft Development languages (C#, .NET, etc) and platforms.
Business Applications Path: Learn how to use and deploy Microsoft Dynamics technologies to businesses.
Certifications within the Microsoft Certification Program include the following credentials:
- Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
- Microsoft Solutions Developer (MCSD)
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
Before getting into the details of each path, let’s first clarify what are the different types of certifications available to you. 
MTA: Microsoft Technology Associate – It shows that you have fundamental knowledge in a wide range of technical concepts. The MTA certification is the first certification you can get in the Mobility, Cloud, Productivity, Data and App Builder paths.
Once you pass ANY of the Microsoft exams, then you become an MTA holder for the particular product or technology.
MCSA: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate – An entry-level certification, but a step above the MTA. To earn a MCSA you need to pass two or more exams (depending on the certification).
The MCSA is available in all certification paths and a requirement to get to the more advanced Microsoft Certifications (MCSE and MCSD).
MCSD: Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer – This is the most popular Microsoft Certification for Developers. It’s the top certification you can achieve if you follow the Apps Builder path. The MCSD is a step above MCSA and equivalent to the MCSE.
MCSE: Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert – For all other paths (besides Apps Builder), the most advanced certification you can get is the MCSE. It’s also very popular and widely recognized in the IT industry.
Microsoft Certification Roadmap
Mobility Certification Path (MCSE Mobility)
Training courses for Windows 10 MCSA:
Implementing and Managing Windows 10
Deploying and Managing Windows 10 in the Enterprise
Installing and Configuring Windows 10
Elective choices to reach Mobility MCSE:
Administering System Center Configuration Manager
Integrating MDM and Cloud Services with System Center Configuration Manager
Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Path (MCSE Cloud Platform & Infrastructure)
Training courses for Windows Server 2012 MCSA:
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
Administering Windows Server 2012
Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012
Training courses for Windows Server 2016 MCSA:
Installation, Storage and Compute with Windows Server 2016
Networking with Windows Server 2016
Identity with Windows Server 2016
Training courses for Linux on Azure MCSA:
Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator
Training courses for Cloud Platform MCSA: (choose two from the following)
Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack
Elective choices to reach Cloud Platform & Infrastructure MCSE:
Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure
Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions
Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack
Implementing Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions
Managing Linux Workloads on Azure
Implementing a Software-Defined DataCenter
Productivity Path (MCSE Productivity)
Training courses for Windows Server 2012 MCSA:
Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
Administering Windows Server 2012
Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012
Training courses for Windows Server 2016 MCSA:
Installation, Storage and Compute with Windows Server 2016
Networking with Windows Server 2016
Identity with Windows Server 2016
Training courses for Office 365 MCSA:
Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements
Enabling and Managing Office 365
Elective choices to reach Productivity MCSE:
Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
Advanced Solutions of SharePoint Server 2013
Deploying Enterprise Voice with Skype for Business 2015
Core Solutions of Microsoft Skype for Business
Managing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016
Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013
Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013
Designing and Developing Microsoft Exchange Server 2016
Data Management & Analytics Path (MCSE Data Management & Analytics)
Training courses for SQL Server 2012/2014 MCSA:
Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014
Administering SQL Server 2012/2014 Databases
Implementing a Data Warehouse with SQL Server 2012/2014
Training courses for SQL 2016 Database Dev MCSA:
Querying Data with Transact-SQL
Training courses for SQL 2016 Database Admin MCSA:
Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure
Training courses for SQL 2016 BI Development MCSA:
Implementing a SQL Data Warehouse
Training courses for Machine Learning MCSA:
Analyzing Big Data with Microsoft R
Perform Cloud Data Science with Azure Machine Learning
Training courses for BI Reporting MCSA:
Training courses for Data Engineering with Azure MCSA:
Perform Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure HD Insight
Engineering Data with Microsoft Cloud Services
Elective choices to reach Data Management & Analytics MCSE:
Developing Microsoft SQL Server Databases
Designing Database Solutions for SQL Server
Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server
Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server
Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions
Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
Implementing a SQL Data Warehouse
Analyzing Big Data with Microsoft R
Perform Cloud Data Science with Azure Machine Learning
Perform Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure HDInsight
App Builder (MCSD App Builder)
Training courses for Web Applications MCSA:
Microsoft Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3 OR
Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications
Training courses for Universal Windows Platform MCSA:
Elective choices to reach App Builder MCSD:
Developing Windows Azure and Web Services
Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
Architecturing Microsoft Azure Solutions
Implementing Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions
Business Applications (MSCE Business Applications)
Training courses for Dynamics 365 MCSA:
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Online Deployment
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customization and Configuration
Training courses for Dynamics 365 for Operations MCSA:
Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure OR Provisioning SQL Databases
Development, Extensions, and Deployment for Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations
Elective choices to reach App Builder MCSE:
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service
Financial Managment in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations
Distribution and Trade in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Retail
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Field Service
Not sure where to start?
If you have questions about choosing the right Microsoft Certification, get in touch! One of our Training Advisors can help you develop a plan that maximizes your chances for furthering your current career in IT. We also help professionals in all stages of their career who want to remain competitive by constantly advancing their skills. Contact us by phone at 913.322.7062 and 314.644.6400, or by completing the following form.