Microsoft has announced the new Windows Server 2008 certification tracks, and there are major changes from past Windows certification tracks. The MCSE is no more; the multi-exam tracks are both Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications. The name may not be the same, but just as the MCSE required successful candidates to pass multiple exams, so does the MCITP.

There are two MCITP tracks to choose from. The larger of the two is the Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator certification, which requires the Microsoft certification candidate to pass five exams. There's not a lot of choice for this certification, because successful Enterprise Administrators will be required to pass the following exams:

Configuring Windows Server 2008 Active Directory (70-640)

Configuring Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure (70-642)

Configuring Windows Server 2008 Applications Platform (70-643)

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator Exam

Along with those four requirements, you'll need to pass either the 70-620 or 70-624 Windows Vista Client exam.

There's also a Windows Server 2008 Administrator certification, which will require you to pass the Active Directory, Network Infrastructure, and the 70-646 Windows 2008 Server Administrator Exam.

Microsoft is offering single-exam certifications as well. The Server 2008 program will certify you as a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) for a particular skill by passing the Server 2008 Active Directory, Network Infrastructure, or Application Platforms exams.

So even though the names have changed, Microsoft is offering both single-exam and multiple-exam Server 2008 tracks. Be sure to visit Microsoft's website to get the latest information on release dates and changes to the MCITP and MCTS programs! Server 2008 may not sound like something you need to be planning for, but we thought the same thing about 2000 and 2003 at one point!