Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

MCSE Certificate

Course Details

Microsoft is one of the world’s most prolific companies of all time and are the creators of the world’s favourite operating system, Microsoft Windows.  The MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) certification is approved by Microsoft themselves and is substantial evidence of a person’s capability in managing and implementing computer systems.

The MCSE course provides you with the opportunity to be established as a certified Microsoft Engineer.  The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer Certificate will show employers that you have successfully completed training and examinations that put you head and shoulders above those who hold no approved certification.  The MSCE course has been designed by professionals to give you a step by step learning programme to follow.  Both the syllabus and exams are designed by Microsoft. 

The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) course is ideal for people who already have an understanding of managing client and network operating systems. This course also compliments progression from the CompTIA and MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician) qualifications.

The Systems Engineer course covers a broad array of Windows Server 2003 skills such as Planning and maintenance of a Windows Server 2003 network infrastructure, implementing and maintenance of Windows Server 2003 network infrastructures, managing and maintaining environments and implementing and administering security for a Windows Server 2003 Network.

*You should have 6 - 12 months experience administering client and network operating systems prior to commencing this course.

Qualifications

The MCSE course provides you with the opportunity to gain two official Microsoft qualifications:

• Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

To be eligible for the MCSE course you must first gain MCSA certification by passing three core exams and one elective exam as shown below:

• Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment: Exam 70–290 (Core networking systems exam)
• Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Exam 70–291 (Core networking systems exam)
• Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional: Exam 70–270 (Core Operating Systems exam)
• Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network: Exam 70-299 (Elective exam)

Once you have attained the MCSA Certification or if you have previously been awarded the MCSA Certificate, this course allows you to just study the MCSE level. You will be required to complete and pass 3 further modules and exams as follows:

• Planning and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 network infrastructure (70-293 Exam)
• Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure (70-294 Exam)
• Designing security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 network (70-298 Exam)

All exams will be online and sat at a local test centre.

Study Plan

Your course material will cover a wide variety of topics and subjects.

The MCSE course has a total of seven modules which are broken down into MCSA level and MCSE level as detailed below: 

• 70-270 Installing, configuring and administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional (MCSA)
• 70-290 Managing and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 environment (MCSA)
• 70-291 Implementing, managing and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 network infrastructure (MCSA)
• 70-299 Implementing and administering security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 network (MCSA)
• 70-293 Planning and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 network infrastructure (MCSE)
• 70-294 Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure (MCSE)
• 70-298 Designing security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 network (MCSE)

Study Details

The course has been designed in a logical order so not only can you learn at a pace comfortable to you but so you can build on the knowledge you have already gained when you move onto the next topic. Whilst working your way through the course materials, you will be required to complete a total of 79 assignments (this covers both the MCSA and MCSE modules).

The duration of the course should amount to approximately 280 hours of study time.

Note: The minimum computer hardware requirements for this course are;

• 500MHz or faster processor recommended
• 128MB RAM (256MB recommended)
• 1.5GB of available hard disk space for installation
• CD-ROM or DVD drive
• 1024 x 768 or higher resolution screen
• Your operating system must be at least WindowsXP(SP2), Windows 2003 or Windows Vista.

Careers

Completion of the MCSE Certificate will place you in a strong position to get jobs in specialist IT roles. You will be able to apply for jobs such as an IT Engineer and earn up to £40,766* a year.

*Source: IT Jobs Watch - 2009

Other example job roles include:

Infrastructure Engineer                      Windows Engineer
£40,723                                                    £33,375
Source: IT Jobs Watch                            Source: IT Jobs Watch