Microsoft Certifications are professional credentials recognized by the Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCP)s vary with the area of technical specialization and include such titles as: Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA). Certification exam curriculum revolves around Microsoft operating systems and applications, typically database and software development environments. Many schools and career-training programs offer Microsoft Certification to complement information technology course study or degree education. A modified three-tiered certification is available as part of Microsoft's New Generation of Certification and includes specialized tracks and ranking: Technology Series, Professional Series, and Architect Series. Most certificate holders obtain an Associate's or Bachelor's degrees in an IT-related field, then pursue certification while working. Professionals with MCP designations earn an average of $65,000, although this number can reach more than $90,000 depending on the type of work involved. To learn more about Microsoft Certification programs, request free information packets from the schools listed below.