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Hi,

Hopefully this isnt in the completely inappropriate group...I am wishing to
become an MS Solutions Architect but it is unclear how to get there. Do I
need to just work through the MCSD, and then work up to the SA certification,
or is there a different approach?

Thanks for any advice,

Warm regards,

Nick.

Hi Nick,

Are you referring to the MCA (Microsoft Certified Architect) program ?
That program is still in beta, acc. to the MS site.

You can get more info at
<URL:http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/architect/default.asp>

According to the FAQ :

Q. What are the prerequisites/qualifications/ minimum requirements to
enter the program?
Q. What should I be doing now to prepare for the architect
certification?
Q. Who should consider the architect certification program?
A. This certification will require advanced and verifiable experience
as a working architect (likely to be at least 10 years). The Microsoft
Certified Architect credential will not have a prepackaged curriculum
or traditional exams. Rather, candidates must demonstrate their skills
and knowledge by creating architectures that solve complex business
problems and then present their solutions to a board of their peer
architects.

HTH,

Regards,

Cerebrus.

This certification is a little different than most of our certifications.
For the Microsoft Certified Architect program we are certifying practicing
architects. Once accepted into the program, the candidate will work with a
mentor, but the mentoring is meant to prepare the candidate for the
interview process; the candidate should already have the skills and
knowledge of an architect and should be applying those skills on their
day-to-day workday. Here are some links to good content on IT architecture
and good organizations to keep abreast of.
www.microsoft.com/architecture
www.bredemeyer.com
www.iasahome.org



--
Andy Ruth
Program Manager for the Microsoft Certified Architect program
Microsoft Learning

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.

"Nick" <> wrote in message
news:1EE957E2-CD6E-4251-A066-...
> Hi,
>
> Hopefully this isnt in the completely inappropriate group...I am wishing
> to
> become an MS Solutions Architect but it is unclear how to get there. Do I
> need to just work through the MCSD, and then work up to the SA
> certification,
> or is there a different approach?
>
> Thanks for any advice,
>
> Warm regards,
>
> Nick.

Hi Andy (and Cerebus),

I may have misunderstood what I was told, but I was of the impression that
once certain MS certifications had been achieved, AND that the architecture
element mentioned below was also achieved, then the architecture
certification could be applied for. It seems there are some parts to this I
wasnt aware of, such as the mentoring and interview process.

Thanks for the help,

Nick.

"Andy Ruth [MSFT]" wrote:

> This certification is a little different than most of our certifications.
> For the Microsoft Certified Architect program we are certifying practicing
> architects. Once accepted into the program, the candidate will work with a
> mentor, but the mentoring is meant to prepare the candidate for the
> interview process; the candidate should already have the skills and
> knowledge of an architect and should be applying those skills on their
> day-to-day workday. Here are some links to good content on IT architecture
> and good organizations to keep abreast of.
> www.microsoft.com/architecture
> www.bredemeyer.com
> www.iasahome.org
>
>
>
> --
> Andy Ruth
> Program Manager for the Microsoft Certified Architect program
> Microsoft Learning
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
>
> "Nick" <> wrote in message
> news:1EE957E2-CD6E-4251-A066-...
> > Hi,
> >
> > Hopefully this isnt in the completely inappropriate group...I am wishing
> > to
> > become an MS Solutions Architect but it is unclear how to get there. Do I
> > need to just work through the MCSD, and then work up to the SA
> > certification,
> > or is there a different approach?
> >
> > Thanks for any advice,
> >
> > Warm regards,
> >
> > Nick.
>
>
>

"Nick" <> wrote in message
news:9F679A6A-98F1-4492-9F48-...
> Hi Andy (and Cerebus),
>
> I may have misunderstood what I was told, but I was of the impression that
> once certain MS certifications had been achieved, AND that the
> architecture
> element mentioned below was also achieved, then the architecture
> certification could be applied for. It seems there are some parts to this
> I
> wasnt aware of, such as the mentoring and interview process.
>
> Thanks for the help,
>
> Nick.

To be absolutely clear, we do not require any Microsoft certification in
order to apply for the Microsoft Certified Architect program. The
prerequisite for being accepted into the program is having experience as an
IT architect and being selected from the pool of people that apply for entry
into the program. Once in, the certification path requires you work with a
mentor and the certification is achieved by going in front of a review board
of previously certified architects and highlighting your past experience at
the level we are certifying.
Thanks,
--
Andy Ruth
Program Manager for the Microsoft Certified Architect program
Microsoft Learning