MCAD
In addition to the MCSA there is the MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developer), and with only three exams to complete it's a relative bargain in comparison to the MCSE. According to Microsoft, "The MCAD credential is for professionals who develop and maintain department-level applications, components, Web or desktop clients, or back-end data services."
MCSD
For developers and engineers who are designing entire enterprise solutions from analysis to maintenance, there is the MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer) with a five-exam total. If you are looking to get the MCSD you will need to look into Microsoft's new .Net certification path for MCSDs. There is no upgrade from the old MCSD to the new and resources for the new path are quickly coming available. However, the MCSD still does not have the following that the MCSE certification does. According to a 2002 Certcities.com editorial, "as of January 2, there were only 28,813 MCSDs, as compared to 436,599 MCSEs." Despite that, Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine states that MCDSs command an average base salary of $78,600, compared to $67,100 for those with MCSEs. Overall, despite new certification paths, which are becoming increasingly popular, the MCSE still reigns supreme as Microsoft's top certification.
