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Are Microsoft Office Specialist Certifications Worth It?
Are Microsoft Office Specialist Certifications Worth It?
Microsoft is the premier provider of many IT certifications we're familiar with today such as Azure, Windows, SQL Server, Power Platform, Dynamics, and Visual Studio. But the most often overlooked is Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS). Microsoft offers certifications in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access at Associate and Expert levels.
A Microsoft Office Specialist certification carries its value into a wide range of careers. Administrative and reception positions may have been your first thought when you think of applicable careers. Although true, consider the following non-entry-level careers that request Microsoft Office expertise:
- Project Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Sales Manager
- Operations Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Production Supervisor
- Business Analyst
Currently, you can certify in Microsoft Office 2013, 2016, 2019, or Office 365 suite applications. Each suite specialty offers its own Microsoft Specialist Certification Pathway.
Office 365 & Office 2019 Certification Pathway
Every time you pass a Microsoft office exam, you earn a certification. However, if you pass three of the four associate exams, you will earn an additional cert: Microsoft Office Specialist- Associate. If you continue on and pass two of the three expert exams, you will earn the additional cert: Microsoft Office Specialist- Expert.
Office 2016 Certification Pathway
There are three levels of certification for Microsoft Office 2016:
Specialist
Pass any one of the Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 exams.
Expert
Pass both the Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 Word and Excel exams.
Master
Pass four exams:
- Required: MOS 2016 Word Expert
- Required: MOS 2016 Excel Expert
- Required: MOS 2016 PowerPoint
- Elective: MOS 2016 Access or MOS 2016 Outlook
Office 2013 Certification Pathway
The same three levels of certification are available for Microsoft Office 2013.
Specialist
Pass any one of the eight core MOS 2013 exams.
Expert
Pass the two-part Word Expert or Excel Expert exams.
Master
Pass four MOS 2013 exams in one of their master track pathways.
Regardless if you decide to sit for a MOS exam and get certified, gaining expertise in MOS applications will come in handy in almost every career you choose. But, as with any other IT certification, listing your MOS cert on your resume will help it stand out from the rest of the job applicants.
