Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

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What Does Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer Mean?

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is an IT professional who is certified in Microsoft Windows NT and 2000 operating systems (OS), Microsoft BackOffice Server products, networking and related desktop computer systems. In the IT industry, the MCSE certification serves as proof that an individual has the abilities, skills and knowledge required to administer certain IT roles.

MCSE is also known as Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA).

Techopedia Explains Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

The MCSE certification is one of many Microsoft certifications that may be obtained by passing a set of exams designed to test proficiency on a combination of complementary Microsoft products.

Other Microsoft certifications include the following:

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Serves as a foundation for higher certifications that actually replace the MCSE certification under the Windows NT and 2000 path
  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): Required for developers and considered the highest certification level
  • Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Required for specific technologies

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.