Certification

Karen L. Mason, CPS/CAP, MOSAugust 23, 2010

Introduction• Versions 2007• What is MOS?• Fast Facts• Why Become Certified?• Certification Track• Preparation Materials• Requirements• Skill Standards• Exam Sites• FAQs• College Credit• Resources• WorkForce WV

Do You Have What It Takes?

What is MOS?•According to Wikipedia.com:

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) previously named Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) is a certification for using the Microsoft Office suite of business applications. While listed under the MCP Certification Programs, it is not officially an MCP Certification. The MOS exams are managed by a third party company, Certiport.

What is MOS?

•Globally recognized standard that validates expertise and skills with Microsoft Office programs

•2002, Microsoft dropped the acronym “MOUUS”

• June 1, 2010 rebranded the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) to MOS

What is MOS?• Four levels of certification:

1.1.SpecialistSpecialist: Pass any 1 exam in any module

2.2.ExpertExpert: Pass 1 Expert exam in Word or Excel module

3.3.MasterMaster: Pass 3 required exams (Word Expert, Excel Expert, PowerPoint) and 1 elective exam (Access or Outlook)a)a) Master InstructorMaster Instructor

Certification Track

Specialist Expert MasterCandidates must pass any one of the following Specialist exams:•Word•Excel•PowerPoint•Access•Outlook

Candidates must pass any one of the following Expert exams:•Word Expert•Excel Expert

Candidates must pass three required exams and one elective exam.Required:•Word Expert•Excel Expert•PowerPointElective:•Access•Outlook

MOS exam requirements by certification level

Why Become Certified?

•Certification Can Work for YouDisplays your expertise Measures your proficiencyVerifies a wide variety of skills

Office Specialist Certification•Supervisors say:

85% Office Specialists are more productiveproductive 89% of Office Specialists are more proficientproficient

users 86% of Office Specialists are more crediblecredible

than non-certified employees 71% use Office Specialist in hiring, promotion,

and advancement decisions Competence + Productivity + Credibility

2001 Study conducted by Certiport

Requirements

• MOS Pass one or more

certification exams Skill standards for

each Track• MOS Master

Comprised of four of the Microsoft Office Specialist certifications

Preparation Materials•Classroom Training•Microsoft E-Learning•Microsoft Press Books•Practice Tests•Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC)

www.wiley.comwww.certiport.com

•Microsoft Online Resources

Exam SitesWV Dept of Education WV Dept of Education

Office of Institutional Education Programs

1900 Kanawha Blvd EBldg 6, Room 728Charleston WV304-558-8833

New HorizonNew Horizon20 Kenton DriveCharleston WV304-345-7590

Mission WV, Inc.Mission WV, Inc.168 Midland Trail

Suite 1Hurricane WV304-562-0723

Mountwest Mountwest Community & Community & Technical College & Technical College & MUMU

One John Marshall DriveHuntington WV304-696-3431•Proctor fee requiredProctor fee required – between $50 and $60

Source: Certiport, Inc.

FAQs1. What sets Microsoft Office Specialist

candidates apart from their peers? • Validates important skills; demonstrates

commitment to growing and documenting skills2. Who benefits from the Office Specialist

program? • Individuals, Businesses, Staffing Agencies

3. What processes are in place to ensure high quality exam questions? • Developed and reviewed by experienced experts • Exams are tested and analyzed before they are

released

FAQs4. What is the exam format?

• Exams are performance-based, in a “live”, or simulated environment

5. How long does a typical exam take?• 90 minutes; based on individual knowledge and

efficiency6. What kind of preparation is necessary?

• Prepare on your own• Outside training and training materials

FAQs7. Where can I find my exam results?

• Exam results are displayed upon completion of the exam

• In two to three weeks, an official certificate is mailed to successful candidates

8. What is the retake policy for Microsoft Office Specialist exams?• There is no waiting period for retaking a failed

MOS exam.9. What is the Microsoft Office Specialist Web

site?

www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mos.aspx

Earn College Credit• MOS certifications for have been recommended by

the American Council on Education (ACE) for 1 semester hour of college credit in the lower

division bachelor's/associate degree category, one semester hour in computer applications, information technology, or computer information systems

• Save time and money toward a college degree • ACE maintains a network of more than 1,500

cooperating colleges and universities (www.acenet.edu)

• Must pass certification exam for one or more Office programs and have certification listed on an ACE transcript

Resources• Microsoft® Office Word 2007 Step by Step: $25• The Microsoft® Certified Application Specialist

Study Guide: $40• Web sites

www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/officespecialist/default.mspx http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/CH010224760.aspx www.certiport.com www.selftestsoftware.com (Kaplan)

•Experience!

WorkForce WV Vouchers•WorkForce WV has partnered with the Microsoft

Elevate America Program:www.workforcewv.org/JobSeeker/ElevateAmerica.asp

•Region 3 Kanawha County Contact Andrea Hinchman, WorkForce West Virginia, Charleston: (304) 558-7026Email: Andrea.E.Hinchman@wv.gov

•Region 2 Cabell, Putnam counties Contact Teresa Dailey, Region 2 WorkForce West Virginia, Huntington: 1-866-262-5348Email: tdailey@wvregion2.org

WorkForce WV Vouchers•The type of voucher I am requesting is a 2007 Certification Exam voucher.

•Answers to the required questions:1. Are you a West Virginia citizen? 2. Are you currently EMPLOYED or

UNEMPLOYED?3. If you are UNEMPLOYED, how many WEEKS

have you been unemployed? 4. If you are EMPLOYED, how many MONTHS

have you been in your current job?

WorkForce WV Vouchers5. What is the highest level of education you

have completed? Choose only ONE from the following list:

6. If employed, what is your current wage? Choose only ONE from the following list:

7. What is your AGE (in YEARS)? 8. Are you MALE or FEMALE?9. What is your 5-digit home address

ZIPCODE?

Questions?

YOUR NAME HERE

Certification

Karen L. Mason, CPS/CAP, MOSAugust 23, 2010

kmason@dixon-hughes.com