Back in 2007, the Microsoft Certification Application Specialist (MCAS) credential was introduced to support Microsoft Office Suite 2007. In less than three years, hundreds of thousands of students, professionals, and home users have become MCAS-certified on Office products.
While this certification is recognized worldwide as the official credential for Word 2007, Excel 2007, and other Office 2007 applications, it is often confused with the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification, which is used to validate individuals’ skills using previous versions of Office, including Office 2000, Office XP or Office 2003.
To simplify the Microsoft Office certification program, starting on June 1, 2010, MCAS will be formally renamed MOS 2007. If you earned an MCAS certification, your certification is still relevant and valued in the marketplace! The program’s name change does not change program requirements or exam content, nor does it affect your credential. And don’t worry, you don’t have to go get recertified. Starting June 2nd, you will be able to view and print your updated transcript as well as update your virtual business cards here. You will also be able to print out or order an updated certificate and proudly display the new MOS logo from here.
You can find more details about these changes to the Microsoft Office certification here, including answers to many of your questions.
On that note, is there or will there be a MOS 2010? Just trying to plan ahead. Thanks!
Jam: Yes, at www.microsoft.com/.../office-cert-update.aspx there is a list of MOS 2010 exams being developed. :-)
Thanks Alice and yes Jam, there are definitely MOS 2010 exams planned. Our first exams will be Word and Excel, scheduled to go live June 30 with more to follow. On June 1 I plan to blog the 'big plan' for MOS 2010. Stay tuned!
Oh - and sorry for the horrid formatting - user error! :)
Fixed it for you, Wendy! :-)
Does this mean MOC will be completely separate from other Microsoft Certifications (i.e. MCxx) ?
Will there be MCT discount like other Microsoft exams in future for MOC exams?
Amazing, looks like you have listened to complain and fixed own failure.
The good question is: are you able to same revert wit MCSA/MCSE 2008 in place of MCITP:SA / EA. You know global numbers better than I - but my impression is that MCITP from Server 2008 doesn't sell good. There are people entering MCSA/MCSE path that are risking discontinuation of almost 7 years old exams/product. You should think about it.
Partial solution would be changing name of MCITP:SA/EA to something looking ugly and but dumb like
MCITP: MCSA 2008
MCITP: MCSE 2008
You had such good branding with those exams... no matter how many times you will explain what MCITP it never will be as much recognized as MCSA/MCSE are.
Ken - Thanks! :)
Bing - MOS is very much a part of the overall Microsoft Certification Program focused more on the end users of Office products. As you may know, we folded in MOS to the MCT program last year. I am not sure what the benefits include in terms of exam discounts for MCTs but would hope that we mirror the same benefits as we do for technical exams. I'll look into it and let you know!
Lololo - Glad you consider the rebrand a positive move. I'm excited about it and believe we are doing the right thing. As a MOS credentialed person myself, I am looking forward to having the Office logo on my certificate.
As for MCSA/MCSE - I would have to defer to my colleagues that manage the technical exam space (and will forward your comment on to them). I have heard both MCSA and MCSE are still very visible cert brands and making the change was considered carefully, knowing the disruption it would cause for many.
Nice that the new logo is available to download.
However, when comparing to the MCAS logo,
those title "Microsoft Office .... 2007 Certified" in new logo seems too blur
kimbalko.blogspot.com/.../mos-2007-logo-changes.html
Hi Kimbal, You are right, the logo is appearing a bit too blurry. We have the team working on it to crisp up the look. Stay tuned!