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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 program and certification testing validate their skills as product experts who successfully design and implement solutions that meet the most complex business requirements.

Master certification enables senior 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 primary prerequisite for all technical Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certifications.

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

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 fulfill the following training requirements:

Registration is scheduled to start in July 2008. Classes are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2008. Click here for more details.

Windows Server 2008 has been already released and Microsoft is encouraging IT professional to get certified in Windows Server 2008. If you are a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) or a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003, you can transfer your skills to achieve multiple Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications or Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credentials on Windows Server 2008.

If you have MCSA on Windows Server 2003 then you need to take exam 70-648 to earn:

1. MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration

and

2. MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration.

If you have MCSE on Windows Server 2003 then you need to take exam 70-649 to earn:

1. MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration

and

2. MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration

and

3. MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration

Microsoft has posted all the details on their Web site. Check out the link Transition your MCSA and MCSE on Windows Server 2003 skills to Windows Server 2008.

Microsoft has extended the Second Shot offer through June 30, 2008. This means that you can get a free second chance to pass a Microsoft IT Professional, Developer, or Microsoft Dynamics certification exam if you do not pass on your first attempt. Learn more about Second Shot.

Don’t forget to check the Frequently Asked Questions about the Second Shot offer.

General information about Microsoft certifications is available here.

Microsoft is offering several upgrade exams for those of us who hold current certifications, such as MCDST, MCSA, and MCSE. This is not a complete list by any means. Microsoft is still in the process of developing new courseware and exams.

Upgrading MCSA 2003 to MCSA 2008
To upgrade your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, you need to pass:

Exam 70-648: TS: Upgrading Your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist

Upgrading MCSA 2003 to MCSE 2008
To upgrade your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, you need to pass:

Exam 70-649: TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist

Upgrading MCDST to MCTS and MCITP
If you are an MCDST, you only need to pass the following exam to earn the MCTS and MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician certifications for Windows Vista:

Exam 70-621: PRO: Upgrading Your MCDST Certification to MCITP Enterprise Support

For information on all recently released exams from Microsoft, click here.

Whether you are Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) or a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003, there is a transition path to becoming a MCTS on Windows Server 2008.
• Learn how to transition from MCSA: Windows Server 2003 to MCTS: Windows Server 2008
• Learn how to transition from MCSE: Windows Server 2003 to MCTS: Windows Server 2008

Check out the Windows Server 2008 Learning Portal for more details.