The IT industry has never been as popular as it is today, given that our day-to-day lives involve computers, mobile phones, tablets and gaming consoles to keep our schedules on track, complete work or study assignments or just to keep us busy for a few minutes. The number of certified IT professionals who have undertaken Microsoft MCSA online courses has increased by an astounding amount over the last 15 years, but there are still those that deem it unnecessary to undertake studies in IT before applying for a position, as they expect training to be delivered via their company.

Consider then that, after studying source code and writing payroll programs, Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, started a small shop called “Traf-O-Data” which designed a computer used by the city of Seattle to count traffic flow. Currently, Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 10, has been installed on over 110 million devices. This speaks volumes for the Microsoft MCSA online courses and gaining the necessary knowledge when attempting to enter a trade.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) overview

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate is a group of Microsoft MCSA online courses specifically designed to guide individuals that are just stepping into the IT field towards a meaningful and reliable certification and is a prerequisite to gaining your MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) certification.

The Microsoft MCSA online courses have helped many IT professionals get their careers underway and continue to do so to this day. The mere fact that you have an MCSA certification on your CV will boost your chances to be considered for a position in IT, given that it a well-known and proven certification which is awarded by the biggest IT organisation in the world and will show that you truly have the passion that potential employers look for in a candidate.

List of Microsoft MCSA Online Courses

Below you will find a complete list of all the Microsoft MCSA online courses available and their accompanying exams.

MCSA: Windows Server 2012

The MCSA Windows Server 2012 course will teach students a firm understanding of databases, servers and networking using Windows server 2012 operating system.

The exams that need to be passed to gain this qualification are:

• 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
• 70-411: Administering Windows Server 2012
• 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services

Gaining this qualification will ensure that you have the necessary skills to confidently apply for positions like Computer Systems Administrator, Computer Network Specialist, Systems Engineer or IT Support Analyst.

MCSA: Windows Server 2008

Designed to increase the reliability and flexibility of server infrastructure, this course is designed to teach you how to apply and oversee the Windows Server 2008 operating system. The Windows MCSA: Windows server 2008 will ready you to apply for positions such as It Technician, Network Administrator, Desktop Support Technician or Network Manager.

You will need to pass the following exams in order to complete your online MCSA certification:

• 70-640: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
• 70-642: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
• 70-646: Windows Server 2008 Server Administrator

MCSA: Windows 10

This certification will teach you to install, configure and further manage the Windows 10 certification. Upon completion of this course and its exam, you will qualify for positions such as Computer Support Specialist, Technical Support Engineer and Desktop Support Analyst.

For this course, the following exam must be passed to become MCSA certified:

• 70-697: Configuring Windows Devices

MCSA: Windows 8

Anyone with an interest in becoming a Computer Support Specialist, It Manager or Support Specialist will find much to gain from the MCSA: Windows 8 course. It will teach you how to install Windows 8, resolve any issues that may occur and troubleshoot problems with network connections.

The two required exams are as follows:

• 70-687: Configuring Windows 8.1
• 70-688: Supporting Windows 8.1

MCSA: SQL Server 2012

This course will perfectly suit aspiring Database Developers or Database Analysts, as it teaches the installation, configuration and maintenance of SQL (Structured Query Language) server services as well as the management and configuration of databases and their security.

To complete this Microsoft MCSA online course, the following exams must be undertaken and passed:

• 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
• 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
• 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012

MCSA: Office 365

Software as a Service (SaaS) Administrator, Cloud Applications Administrator or Software Administrator are some of the positions you will be able to apply for upon completion of the MCSA: Office 365 course.

The MCSA: Office 365 exams are:

• 70-346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements
• 70-347: Enabling Office 365 Services

MCSA: Linux on Azure

To gain the MCSA: Linux on Azure qualification, students will need to pass the accompanying exams, namely:

• 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
• LFCS: Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator

After completion of this course, you will be able to design cloud-based Linux solutions using features offered by Microsoft Azure, as well as proving your capabilities in Linux system administration, opening doors to careers like Linux System Administrator or IT Cloud Solutions Consultant.

Writing my MCSA certification exam

Once you have completed your Microsoft MCSA online courses and passed the relevant exams, you will become officially MCSA certified and well on your way to an exciting career in the field of IT. The Microsoft MCSA exams can, however, only be booked and taken through Pearson Vue or Prometric who will help with the scheduling of your exam, as well as providing any other information you may need regarding the writing of your MCSA exams.

After finishing your Microsoft MCSA online courses and gaining your certification, you will have the option of upgrading to a MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) certification which focuses more on the creation, implementation and security of networks and preparing students for roles like Systems Engineer, whereas the Microsoft MCSA online courses deal with the maintenance of those networks once they are in use. This process is explained in our article explaining MCSE courses.