A Guide to Microsoft .

NET Developer Certifications

One of the most effective ways for a programmer or other professional to prove their worth is by
earning certifications. Microsoft certifications are some of the most relevant and valuable in the IT
industry, especially for software developers and software engineers. Microsoft .NET certifications
are also for those working outside of software. In this article, we’ll show how Microsoft .NET
training covers every facet of computing, including the more critical parts such as operating
systems and web servers.

Why .NET Matters in the Modern IT Environment

Pronounced “dot net,” the idea of .NET isn’t immediately obvious to many people. Their default
thinking is that it’s probably another programming language, whereas it’s far more than that.

Microsoft .NET is a cross-platform ecosystem for developing a wide range of applications. This
software development framework allows a developer to use the C#, F#, or Visual Basic languages
to create applications. As such, the platform accessible to more people with any of several
programming language preferences such as these ones and even C++.

The controlled programming environment of .NET supports the development. Installation and
execution of software on Windows and non-Windows operating systems. The latter is possible
through .NET Core.

.NET was Microsoft’s answer to the rapid rise of the Java platform and it works for building
nontrivial desktop applications, web apps and services, mobile apps, 2D and 3D games and to
implement servers. Many concepts in .NET, including syntax and program execution on a virtual
machine, derive from Java.

A .NET developer has access to a bunch of frameworks and libraries which ease the application-
building process for desktop, the web and mobile, besides complex enterprise purposes.

One of the main reasons why .NET works is its natural integration with other Microsoft tools such
as Microsoft Office. Other reasons include the framework’s stability and maturity, along with solid
support from Microsoft. If you’re wondering how relevant Microsoft .NET might be, it’s worth
knowing that multiple developers and companies belong to the .NET community.

Related Article: What Is the .NET Framework? Overview, Components and Benefits
What is a .NET Developer?
People are often unclear who a .NET developer is. .NET is a system framework that offers
programmers guidelines for developing versatile software. The framework covers multiple
programming languages, meaning that you can develop applications in these languages using
the .NET platform. As a .NET developer, your job role will include designing and developing custom
software applications.

Skills and Qualifications You Need to Become a .NET Developer

The job descriptions you’ll come across for .NET developer jobs will contain several requirements
that will not immediately mean much to you. They typically include references to libraries, SQL
Server, the .NET stack and so forth. Only through hands-on experience and certification can you
truly gain mastery off these skills.

A .NET developer is both creative and flexible, displaying an obvious willingness to learn new
things, while thinking and working independently. One of the crucial qualities of a .NET developer
is a theoretical-abstract mindset, which enables developers to create beneficial software for
companies from scratch. It’s also important to develop a keen interest in computer science.

Most companies prefer that a .NET developer has a degree in computer science, software
programming, though your trajectory, say software engineer or web developer, determines the
certification you get.

An aspiring .NET developer will probably not need any other experience if they work towards
certification. Some companies still require some years of experience for a .NET developer coming
into their employ.

Working as a .NET Developer

The right qualifications, in other words “certification,“ is what you need to begin earn a .NET
developer role in an organization. Since COVID-19 disrupted the world we’d become accustomed
to, many of such jobs even allow you to work remotely as many developers do using Visual Studio,
ASP.NET MVC and other essential tools.

Other roles may require working in a large team from an office. The choice to work remotely or in a
physical office largely depends on how comfortable you are working independently. Besides, an
office environment allows for extensive interaction with colleagues concerning various aspects of
the .NET language with respect to bugs and the design of applications.
It’s realistic to expect to work on multiple projects at once. Therefore, you’ll need to recall what you
last coded in each task, especially if you have to switch between programming languages.

.NET development often affords programmers a flexible schedule, you can take breaks and work
as long as you need to fulfill tasks.

Career Development for .NET Developers

There are many roles for a professional doing .NET development. The lowest rung of the ladder is
the intern stage, where you learn the ropes of the .NET framework as it relates to developing
applications. You can get a lot of help from more experienced developers who can show you how
to improve and work independently.

Your career with .NET is probably limited only by your own imagination. Across industries,
businesses continue to seek developers to build applications using .NET. Therefore, you can
expect to be a good fit across many sectors.

Consolidating .NET Developer Skill Set with .NET Core

.NET Core is similar to .NET, but a developer needs to know and understand the specific details of
libraries and components. As a .NET developer, it’s advisable to know a lot about .NET, especially
its present strengths and weaknesses. It still does not support ASP.NET Web Forms, .NET C++and
some other parts of .NET.

Startups and other less mission-critical projects can effectively use .NET Core. It’s even possible to
use some .NET components in .NET Core apps, even though the reverse is not possible. If
companies choose to rewrite their applications into .NET Core or write new modules in that
environment, it automatically creates a demand for developers with a knowledge of .NET and .NET
Core.

Related Article: What is the Average Article of a Full-Stack Developer

7 .NET Developer Certifications

Many companies and specialists believe certifications are the best validation of in-depth knowledge
of .NET. These certifications comprehensively complement commercial experience and references.
The MTA Intro to Programming tracks are an excellent place to begin, as they lay a solid
foundation for ultimate mastery of application development skills. The Microsoft Certified
Professional (MCP) Programming in C# certification provides the requisite knowledge for
designing, creating and implementing applications in the C# programming language.

#1 – MTA: Software Development Fundamentals

This certification provides a solid foundation to prepare candidates for a technology career. It will
introduce you to important practical and technical concepts in software development. While
featuring only 1 exam, Exam 98-361 Software Development Fundamentals, it will measure
these the candidate’s understanding of:

 Core programming

 OOP or object-oriented programming

 General software development

 Web applications

 Desktop applications

 Databases and database concepts

The Software Development Fundamentals certification is great for an extensive career in

developing applications regardless of the language or technology stack.

#2 – MTA: Introduction to Programming Using JavaScript

This is a viable starting point for anyone looking to develop a fundamental understanding of
programming (and Microsoft technologies) and build their skills as a JavaScript software developer.

A candidate needs to pass Exam 98-382 Introduction to Programming Using JavaScript to

earn this certification. The target skills include:

 Programming with JavaScript operators, methods and keywords

 Programming with data types, variables and functions

 Analyzing and implementing decisions and loops

 Interacting through the DOM (Document Object Model)

 Interaction with HTML forms

#3 – MCSA: Web Applications
This second level is a novel certification from Microsoft and covers everything you need to know
about developing and maintaining web applications using HTML5 (HyperText Markup Language),
CSS3 (Cascading Style Sheets)and JavaScript. It basically demonstrates that you can implement
modern web apps.

The only requirement is to pass 1 compulsory exam, Exam 70-486: Developing ASP.NET MVC
Applications, along with any of the following:

 Exam 70-483 Programming in C#

 Exam 70-480 Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3

#4 – MCSA: Universal Windows Platform

This is a variant of the MCSA: Web Applications certification and demonstrates the candidates
ability to develop applications for the Windows platform. It features 2 exams: compulsory exams

 Exam 70-483 Programming in C#

 Exam 70-357 Developing Mobile Apps

The MCSA prepares you with skills to develop user interfaces, work with user input and data and
handle web performance.

#5 – Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder

Professionals with a solid foundation in modern development technologies may consider getting
the MCSD certification. This Microsoft certification drills deeper into MCSA concepts and will help
you to develop advanced business solutions with modern development tools, technologies
architectures and platforms.. Besides, you’ll learn how to migrate your applications to the Microsoft
Azure cloud, expanding its usage and functionality.

To earn the MSCD: App Builder certification, 1 needs to have at least an MCSA in Web
Applications or Universal Windows Platform. Then you have to pass the following exam:

 Exam 70-487 Developing Microsoft Azure and Web Services

#6 – Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
This certification is not for a beginner. Instead, it expects that you have subject matter expertise in
the design, building, testing and maintenance of cloud applications and services using Microsoft
Azure.

An Associate Azure Developer will contribute to every aspect of cloud development including
requirements, definition, design, development and deployment. It also covers performance tuning,
monitoring and maintenance,

Azure developers are a great addition to teams featuring cloud solution architects, cloud DBAs,
cloud administrators and clients to implement solutions.

The required exam for this certification is Exam AZ-204 and candidates should have 1-2 years of
professional development experience besides Microsoft Azure experience. You should also be able
to program in an Azure-supported language and be proficient in Azure SDKs, Azure Powershell,
Azure CLIand APIs. It’s advisable to be comfortable with data storage options, data connections,
app authentication, authorization, compute and container deployment, debugging, performance
tuning and monitoring.

#7 – Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps

Developer Associate
This Microsoft certification prepares developers to work with functional consultants and solution
and technical architects. The developer is responsible for translating requirements into critical
system functionality with finance and operations apps in Dynamics 365.

This certification is clearly not for beginners, as you need to have experience with complete
solutions using standardized application coding patterns, extensible features and external
integrations.

The 2 required exams for this certification include:

 Exam MB-300: Microsoft Dynamics 365: Core Finance and Operations

 Exam MB-500: Microsoft Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer

Related Article: Microsoft Certification Training: Process, Types and Benefits

Benefits of .NET Developer Certifications

A .NET certification opens up plenty of opportunities for a professional developer.
An Investment in Your Future
Working with .NET future-proofs your career, whether or not programming is your core
responsibility at work. A foundation course in programming will introduce you to the basics of
the .NET platform and teach you to become productive in it.

Over the long term, Microsoft .NET certifications prove your proficiency in a resilient application
development ecosystem. More importantly, the benefits far outweigh the negligible cost of gaining
mastery in the .NET ecosystem; this makes it a worthwhile investment.

The best .NET training programs are thorough, covering every square inch of each certification
exam. Those programs ensure that you can practice new skills at work.

Better Remuneration
Microsoft certifications have consistently ranked highest in independent IT industry surveys. It
means you need to consider acquiring 1 or more to be relevant in the modern IT landscape.

A good case in point that’s hard to miss is that of Microsoft Certified Professionals or MCPs, who
are some of the finest crop of IT professionals available. A .NET certification prepares you to
handle modern IT challenges, the finest opportunities in any industry and of course, a premium
salary. More than 1-third of IT professionals expect a rise in salary after earning a Microsoft
developer certification, according to 1 survey by Microsoft. The average salary for .NET developers
is $93,348 per year.

Related Article: How to List Certifications on Your Resume

Tips for Choosing a .NET Developer Certification

The choice of .NET developer certification you make depends on several factors, but your goal
should be to pick the certification that contributes to your growth and success in the industry.

It’s important to first know where you are in terms of what you know as a developer. Then, you
need to carefully consider your goals. Once you are able to figure out where you stand relative to
where you want to go, it becomes easier to choose the appropriate certification path for your .NET
development journey.

Microsoft .NET is the basis for modern application development using the Microsoft Visual Studio
IDE. A .NET developer certification makes you a professional in demand. The best training
programs are highly affordable, costing just a drop in the ocean of growth and satisfaction that
awaits you.

Related Article: How to Choose an MS Certification Path in 2021

Meta Description: .NET developers are in high demand globally. This article shows how to get
a .NET developer certification to help you get your dream job and salary.