Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) – The pinnacle of Microsoft certifications, the Microsoft Certified Architect is targeted at individuals who have over 10 years relevant industry experience with at least three years experience as a practicing architect. The MCA is intended to measure not only a candidate’s expertise in technology matters, but also their business management skills. The MCA will test a candidate’s knowledge across a variety of technologies and platforms, and not just Microsoft technologies. Microsoft suggests that the total expected time from application to review should take the candidate between 6 to 12 months.
To become a Microsoft Certified Architect, a candidate with sufficient relevant work experience must first apply to join the MCA program. Upon receipt of the application the MCA Review Board will determine if the candidate meets the required criteria and, if accepted, the candidate will be assigned a program mentor. Mentors are people who have already obtained the MCA credential and will help and support the candidate through the MCA program. The candidate will also have access to material to help them with the review process that comes later.
An MCA candidate will be required to present to the Review Board a dossier containing their work history, an architectural solution of their own design and creation, and a document outlining situations and examples of how they have demonstrated the competencies of an architect.
The review requires the candidate to make a 30 minute presentation where they present their architectural solution to the Review Board. The candidate is then subjected to a lengthy question and answer period by the board. At the conclusion of the presentation the board members will vote to award the candidate the MCA credential or not.
For more information on the Microsoft MCA certification, click here
