• Certification programs help system administrators stand out from their peers while expanding and validating their skills. 
• Certification training and testing help IT professionals earn professional credibility and more power to direct and control their career paths. 
• Numerous certifications are available, but several are exceptionally valued and respected. 
• This article is for system administrators and IT professionals who want to expand their knowledge and professional credibility through certification programs.

System administrators are the glue holding together business operations, ensuring smooth-running IT infrastructures. The role requires in-demand career skills that range from server and client configuration and maintenance to access controls, network services and application resource requirements. SysAdmins may even work with more user-facing products, like directory and name services, network addressing, database services, web and desktop applications, and email. They’re often the company “tech expert” – sometimes at several organizations simultaneously. 

System administrator certifications help IT professionals navigate their career paths, expand their knowledge and demonstrate their expertise to managers and employers. SysAdmin certs may even help you secure managerial and executive level jobs and higher pay.

Tip: If you’re a SysAdmin specializing in database services, consider exploring the best database certifications for database administrators and developers.

Best system administrator certifications

After examining various credentials, we developed this list of our five favorite system administrator certifications for 2022. These certifications are geared toward various experience levels, product interests and skill sets. They can foster your development within system administration, encourage you to explore new areas of expertise, and help you set and achieve career goals. 

1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert 

Many businesses operate within Microsoft ecosystems, making Microsoft certifications extremely valuable and sought after. However, Microsoft has overhauled its certification processes in accurate years, replacing broad certificates like Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert with a wider variety of role-based certification options divided into the following roles: 

• Data engineer
• Data scientist
• Artificial intelligence engineer
• Security engineer
• DevOps engineer
• Functional consultant
• Developer
• Administrator
• Solutions architect 

Certifications come in beginner, intermediate, and expert levels, based on applicants’ experience. 

Various system administrators may find some Microsoft certifications more advantageous than others. However, the Azure Solutions Architect Expert is the most in-demand certification for a SysAdmin with IT operation experience.  

The Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is ideal for someone with extensive experience using Azure to solve problems and make decisions for a business’s tech needs. Candidates must have experience with every level of IT operations as well as DevOps. Candidates will be tested on their knowledge and ability to design solutions for data storage, identity, infrastructure and more using Azure. 

This certification combines elements of system administration, Azure implementation and solutions architect experience. Candidates should have one prerequisite qualification: the Azure Administrator Associate certification.  

Tip: If you have solutions architect experience, check out our list of the best enterprise architect certifications. Credentials at the architect level can lead to some of the highest-paid tech industry positions.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert facts and figures

2. Professional Oracle Linux 8 System Administrator 

Although Oracle is known for its database products and solutions, it also distributes Linux products geared for the enterprise and designed to support cloud environments. Oracle Linux is optimized for various Oracle products and platforms, such as:

• Oracle Exadata Database Machine
• Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine
• Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud
• Oracle Database Appliance

To support Oracle Linux, the company offers several Oracle Linux System Administrator learning paths. It also provides several standalone Linux administration courses. Oracle’s Linux certifications are considered among the best Linux certifications to earn. We’ll highlight the Professional Oracle Linux 8 System Administrator certification below. 

The OCP Oracle Linux System Administrator certification, currently at version 8, covers many tools and processes. Candidates must be well-versed in:

• Linux file systems
• Control groups
• Container concepts
• Advanced storage administration techniques
• Oracle cluster management 
• Using Ksplice Uptrack commands 

The certification also tests for knowledge of network bonding, task automation, security configuration and more. 

SysAdmins who support Oracle Solaris might also be interested in the Oracle Solaris System Administrator certification, which Oracle offers at the Associate and Professional levels. Oracle also offers a Cloud Database Migration and Integration Professional certificate. 

Professional Oracle Linux 8 System Administrator certification facts and figures

Did you know?: Oracle certifications are vendor-specific certifications to advance your networking career and are frequently sought after by SysAdmins.

3. RHCE: Red Hat Certified Engineer

In the realm of Linux system administrator certifications, Red Hat certifications stand out. Red Hat’s more senior-level certifications are especially popular among IT professionals and the firms that hire them. Those holding the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) credential qualify for highly competitive job roles, including the following:

• Senior Linux administrator
• Senior UNIX administrator
• Senior systems engineer
• Infrastructure systems engineer
• IT analyst 

The RHCE is considered a high-level credential that’s not easy to obtain. Candidates must first obtain the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) credential. The RHCE credential expands the RHCSA’s understanding of automation in multisystem environments. Candidates must then pass an intense, demanding, four-hour, hands-on, performance-based exam. Those who earn the RHCE can go on to earn the Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) in Infrastructure credential.

Candidates can choose a path based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8. RHCE certification is valid for three years from the date the certification was achieved. To maintain the certification, a credential holder must pass any RHCA test or pass the RHCE certification test again before the end of the three years.

Tip: See our Red Hat certification guide for additional Red Hat professional certifications based on software products, virtualization, storage and cloud-based solutions.

RHCE facts and figures

4. CompTIA Server+

CompTIA certifications, such as the A+ for hardware technicians, Network+ for network admins and Security+ for security specialists, are highly regarded in the computing industry. The CompTIA Server+ certification is no exception. 

Companies such as Intel, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Xerox and Microsoft recommend or require their server technicians to earn CompTIA Server+ credentials.

The Server+ certification test focuses on fundamental, vendor-neutral server-related topics, including:

• Server hardware
• Operating systems
• Storage systems
• Networking
• The IT environment (documentation, diagrams and best practices)
• Security and disaster recovery
• Virtualization 
• Troubleshooting

Individuals seeking positions across the system administration world, including data technician, network administrator, IT technician and data center engineer, can benefit from CompTIA Server+ certification. This certification also provides new IT professionals with an excellent foundation for more specialized certifications.

Candidates for the Server+ certification take one exam: SK0-005. CompTIA recommends that candidates have at least two years of practical experience working with servers and either CompTIA A+ certification or comparable knowledge. This certification also stands out because it does not expire – certification is good for life. 

CompTIA Server+ facts and figures

Did you know?: CompTIA also offers some of the best computer hardware certifications as well as vendor-specific Dell certifications, help desk certifications and more.

5. VCAP-DCV Design 2022: VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Data Center Virtualization Design 2022

VMware certifications are must-have credentials for IT professionals interested in virtualization. With a comprehensive certification program encompassing all skill levels, VMware credentials are recognized globally as the best in their class of professional certifications.  

The latest incarnation of the VMware vSphere product is Version 8. VMware offers five credentials related to the vSphere product:

• Certified Technical
• Certified Professional
• Certified Advanced Professional (Data Center Virtualization Design)
• Certified Advanced Professional (Data Center Virtualization Deploy)
• Certified Design Expert 

VMware also offers a wide range of badges for specific product applications. We’re highlighting the intermediate certification: Certified Advanced Professional – Data Center Virtualization Design. 

Training is required for non-credential holders seeking to obtain the VCAP-DCV credential. VMware offers various training options to meet the training prerequisite: self-paced (on demand), live online and live classroom – some of which include virtual labs. Those possessing a valid VCAP-DCV Design certificate must attend a training course or pass the VCAP-DCV Design exam. 

VCAP-DCV Design 2022 facts and figures

Key takeaway: Earning the best IT certifications, including system admin certs, is an excellent career advancement tool for amassing and validating your skills and knowledge.

Beyond the top 5: More SysAdmin certifications

In addition to the five system administrator certifications we highlighted above, many other certification programs can help further the careers and professional development of IT professionals in system administration.

It makes sense to investigate the plethora of vendor-specific programs available for those who work with systems from companies like Brocade, Dell EMC, HPE, IBM, NetApp and Symantec. Many play into critical system specialty areas, such as storage, security and virtualization, while others offer a broad range of platforms for these and other technology areas. 

Here are some examples:

• IBM Certified System Administrator MQ V9.1: IBM Certified System Administrator MQ V9.1 is for SysAdmins who cover admin activities such as migrating, configuration, availability, performance tuning and problem determination.
• NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA): NCDA is geared toward professionals who manage NetApp data storage controllers running the ONTAP operating system.
• ServiceNow Certified System Administrator: ServiceNow Certified System Administrator is aimed at professionals adept at configuring, implementing and managing ServiceNow systems.

Vendor-neutral certification programs also offer a variety of interesting and potentially valuable credentials. For example, Linux Professional Institute certifications are well known and widely recognized in IT shops and operations that depend on Linux servers to handle their workloads. 

Tip: Tech professionals may also want to consider certifications in adjacent fields, including big data certifications, starter cybersecurity certifications and project management certifications.

Job board search results (in alphabetical order by certification)

The following chart shows the results of an informal job search we conducted to supply you an idea of the relative frequency with which our top five certifications appear in genuine job postings. While all the certifications are popular, the CompTIA Server+ stands out as the clear favorite.

* When searching for VCP – Data Center credentials, we found most job descriptions didn’t indicate a specific version.

Although employers tend to pay SysAdmins less than some of their IT peers, such as network engineers and enterprise IT architects, a career in system administration is still worth pursuing. SimplyHired reports $79,283 as the national average salary for system administrators, with a range of $49,718 to $136,224. Indeed.com similarly reports that $76,942 is the average base salary for system administrators, while senior system administrators can expect an average salary of around $92,803.  

Building a dynamic IT skill set

IT systems are dynamic. They grow with companies and change with evolving technology. Therefore, it’s important for system administrators to nourish their skills. Certifications and training show you’re qualified to handle the responsibilities of your desired position while demonstrating your willingness to learn and grow. 

As you move through your career in system administration, you may want to branch into new specialties or software. Fortunately, in addition to receiving certifications, you can access many excellent courses and educational resources to help you continue to grow in your field. 

Ed Tittel and Kim Lindros contributed to the reporting and writing in this article.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

The College Board said it should have denounced the DeSantis administration's comments that AP African American Studies "lacks educational value" sooner and reemphasized that there is still work to be done on the course's outline.

The academic organization said claims that Florida and the College Board were in "frequent dialogue" about the course is a "false and politically motivated charge." The College Board said the only interactions the organization had with the state included a rejection letter of the course and phone calls with the state Department of Education that were "absent of substance."
COLLEGE BOARD UPDATES AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES FRAMEWORK AFTER DESANTIS SPARKS NATIONAL OUTRAGE

The DeSantis administration's decision to block the course from high school curriculum sparked outrage among activists, students, and state lawmakers. The administration could face a lawsuit from three AP honors students, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump if he does not negotiate on introducing the course into Florida's high school curriculum.

"In the discussion, they did not offer feedback but instead asked vague, uninformed questions like, 'What does the word 'intersectionality' mean?' and 'Does the course promote Black Panther thinking?'" the College Board said in a long statement on Saturday. "FDOE did not bring any African American Studies scholars or teachers to their call with us, despite the presence in their state of so many renowned experts in this discipline."

This is the latest statement in a tense war between the framework, which the College Board has been working on for close to a decade with the input of over 300 professors and scholars nationwide, and states seeking to ban the course. The DeSantis administration said the course was violating the state's anti- "woke" laws, of which the governor saw several portions of his Stop WOKE Act scrapped.

The College Board released the official framework of AP African American Studies on Feb. 1, with several Black scholars associated with Topics such as critical race theory removed from the curriculum. Terms such as "systemic marginalization" and "intersectionality" were removed, as well.

The organization came under fire from activist groups, such as the National Black Justice Coalition, and Democratic lawmakers for catering to the DeSantis administration.

However, the academic organization said Florida cannot and should not take credit for the changes. It argued that the revisions were completed by Dec. 22, "weeks before Florida's objections were shared."

Florida Department of Education released a letter this past week to show it initially questioned if the course was legal under state law in July. On Jan. 12, the Department of Education sent a letter alerting the College Board that it would not include the course in its high schools.

The College Board said the recently-released letter was nothing more than a PR stunt with "inflated rhetoric and posturing."

"We have made the mistake of treating FDOE with the courtesy we always accord to an education agency, but they have instead exploited this courtesy for their political agenda," the College Board wrote. "The notion that we needed Florida to enlighten us that these terms are politicized in several states is ridiculous. We took a hard look at these terms because they often are misunderstood, misrepresented, and co-opted as political weapons."

The College Board added in its statement that it should have made clear that contemporary events such the Black Lives Matter movement were always intended to be optional and were so in the pilot course.

The official framework is still "only the outline of the course," with more needed to populate the course with scholarly articles, video lectures, and other materials.

"This error triggered a conversation about erasing or eliminating Black thinkers. The vitriol aimed at these scholars is repulsive and must stop," the College Board wrote.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

"We deeply regret not immediately denouncing the Florida Department of Education's slander, magnified by the DeSantis administration's subsequent comments, that African American Studies' lacks educational value,'" the College Board continued. "Our failure to raise our voice betrayed Black scholars everywhere and those who have long toiled to build this remarkable field."

The DeSantis administration is reviewing the AP course framework, spokespeople previously told the Washington Examiner.

DUBLIN, Jan. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Clinical Trial Administrator (CTA) Beginner" training has been added to  ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

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• Scenario-based training

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Story continues

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The College Board released the final curriculum of its new Advanced Placement African American Studies course on Wednesday, seemingly leaving out any references to Topics or works Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized and drawing rebukes from Black leaders over ‘watering down’ the course to placate politicians.

The final framework, which the College Board released in a 234-page course outline, omits any reference to Black Queer Studies, the Black Lives Matter movement, Black Feminist Literary Thought and slavery reparations. The curriculum also does not include any works or thoughts of study associated with well-known Black scholars and authors such as Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, Angela Davis and bell hooks, such as critical race theory — all Topics the governor raised concerns about, according to a review of the document.

“This is a monumental moment for education as we recognize the incredible contributions African Americans have made to our country’s story,” Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Democrat who represents northwest Miami-Dade and southwest Broward, said in a statement following the release. Nevertheless, he said DeSantis’ “systematic attack on public education is far bigger than AP classes. This is part of a larger war on our very ability to think, question, and engage in our democracy. It is a national attempt to redirect how students learn.”

The curriculum comes two weeks after the governor announced the state had rejected the course that was set to be taught in Florida’s public high schools in the upcoming school year and sparked a national political firestorm. It also follows DeSantis’ announcement Tuesday to overhaul higher education in the state, which includes a recommendation to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion “bureaucracies” on college and university campuses.

Initially, the administration claimed the course violated state law and “lack[ed] educational value,” without citing any evidence. Last year, the Florida Legislature passed a series of bills — now laws — that limit or bar discussions about race and LGBTQ+ issues in higher education and for students younger than third grade, respectively.

But after facing criticism from Florida’s Black leaders, national organizations and the White House, the Florida Department of Education curated a graphic that broadly outlined the Topics it objected to, including the work of Black scholars and writers, such as Crenshaw, Davis and hooks.

Crenshaw is a professor at Columbia Law School whose writing focuses on civil rights, critical race theory, Black feminist legal theory, and race, racism and the law; Davis is a political activist, professor, and author; and hooks is a writer who has influenced discussions about race, feminism and class.

College Board says politicians did not direct course

It remains unclear how much of what was included — or excluded — from the final curriculum came as the result of DeSantis and his administration’s critiques. The College Board said in a statement that no states or districts saw the official framework before its unveiling, “much less provided feedback on it.”

After Florida rejected the course, the College Board said it would not cave to pressures from governors or district leaders and routinely said that pilot programs often undergo multiple and continuous changes in the development of a new AP course. This is the first time the College Board has developed an AP course on African American history.

The College Board CEO David Coleman said in a news release Wednesday the course is an “unflinching encounter with the facts and evidence of African American history and culture. No one is excluded from this course…Everyone is seen.”

Robert J. Patterson, a professor of African American Studies at Georgetown University who co-chaired a committee that developed the course, said in a statement Wednesday that the course offers “an unparalleled breadth of content and depth of skill that surpass what many introductory college-level African American Studies courses can accomplish within a semester or quarter.”

As of Wednesday evening, the governor nor his administration issued a statement on the release.

DeSantis’ influence

The DeSantis administration did not release the pilot course framework, nor was it published by the College Board, making it difficult to decipher what content was changed — or when. Nevertheless, some people are questioning why the College Board removed these topics. (The Herald obtained a copy of a version of the pilot course after the rejection.)

Daniella Pierre, president of the Miami-Dade branch of the NAACP, understands that changes to the pilot program would be made, but was concerned about the College Board removing certain Topics and the governor’s perceived influence in the decision, especially when the Board had the backing of national civil rights organizations. Though she has yet to fully review the published framework, she believes the College Board should have stood strong on what they presented as factual history.

“While the College Board might say [the changes] are due to pedagogy, I’m not so certain,” Pierre told the Herald. “Because I see that [the Topics removed] were questioned by the administration.”

At Miami-Dade County’s Black Affairs Advisory Board meeting Wednesday, members discussed the College Board’s framework and voted unanimously to have a staff member write a letter voicing opposition to the DeSantis policies.

“We are the voice of the Black community in Miami-Dade County,” said Pierre Rutledge, the board’s chair and an administrator at Miami-Dade’s school system. “If you sit there and be quiet, silence sometimes can be seen as consent.”

And on Tuesday, more than 200 faculty members in African American studies condemned DeSantis’ perceived interference in the course in a letter published on Medium.

Craig Whisenhunt, a Pinellas Park attorney, however, was less willing to attribute the changes to the governor and called into question the timing of his critiques.

The College Board has routinely said pilot courses undergo continuous changes during development and the governor’s rejection, he argued, is akin to a teacher lashing out at a student’s draft report on the eve of its submission.

Whisenhunt, who indicated last month he would join a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Education if the state agency rejected the course, said he suspects the pilot’s framework at the time the governor rejected it “looked very similar to what we’re seeing now and probably would’ve looked this way” with or without the governor’s input.

He agrees with some critics that claim the final version is a “watering down” of more accurate issues, but said he believes the emphasis of the course is “more about how we got to where we are instead of the now.”

In that regard, he said, the curriculum does seem to adhere to that objective.

Final framework differs from pilot, College Board says

Though issues raised by DeSantis’ administration are seemingly missing from the final framework, the College Board, in a statement, provided examples of how the framework differs from the preliminary pilot coursework.

According to the news release, the curriculum includes new Topics that were not well represented in the pilot course, including a course titled “Black conservatism,” which is now offered as an idea for a research project.

The course — pegged as an “interdisciplinary course that draws from a variety of fields to explore the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans” — has been in development for nearly a year and involved more than 300 professors of African American Studies from “more than 200 colleges nationwide,” including Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Notably, any Topics eliminated will not appear on the final AP exam, which is what colleges and universities use in deciding whether to supply a student credit for the course. A student has to get a certain grade on the AP test in order to get college credit for the high school class.

This school year, the College Board piloted the course in 60 classrooms across the country, including at least one in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Students at Robert Morgan Educational Center in Southwest Miami-Dade were enrolled in the pilot course and were upset when Miami-Dade Schools canceled their class halfway through the school year and had the students finish the year in an African American History honors course.

“If this is a change they’re going to make [and] take away from me learning simple history, what else can they take away from my education?” said Chyna Lee Hunter, 17, one of the students in the class, told the Herald. “If history only focuses on one culture, “we won’t know the full story. Everyone is always going to feel uncomfortable and misplaced.”

The district said it removed the materials after the Florida Department of Education indicated the lessons were “contrary to Florida law,” a school district spokesperson said. It’s unclear how many other Florida schools participated in the pilot program or if those classes also were canceled after the governor’s announcement.

Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau reporter Ana Ceballos contributed to this report.

American business is facing a very different internal and external environment today. This environment is characterized by rapid technological change, increased international competitiveness in manufacturing and other sectors, and a labor force which expects a higher quality of work life than did previous generations of employees. These changes directly affect the health and vitality of any region’s economy.

The UMass Lowell Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed primarily as a part-time evening program to serve middle level working professionals and others seeking management careers in business and industry. The program is designed to prepare students to manage effectively in rapidly changing regional, national, and global competitive environments. The MBA program not only requires a thorough understanding of the traditional functional areas of business, but also provides a detailed, integrated examination of issues faced by contemporary managers.

The unifying theme of industry analysis addresses the challenges posed by global competition, such as, accelerated change and complexity of technology, globalization of markets, increasing cultural diversity of human resources, ethical concerns, changing political processes, increasing role of governments in business, evolving organizational structures, and other similar issues. With this philosophical framework as its driving force, the MBA program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell prepares graduates to become leaders in a wide variety of commercial, industrial and governmental settings.

Additionally, three elective courses allow students to tailor their program to their specific professional needs. The awarding of the MBA degree signifies that the student has developed integrative skills in problem solving and decision making and can relate these skills to all functional areas of business. The development of this expertise entails an examination and application of advanced analytical tools.

1Entrance Requirementsrequirements

Application to the MBA program utilizes a rolling admissions policy and is open to students who have earned a 4-year baccalaureate degree. An aptitude for management decision-making and demonstrated academic ability are the most important qualifications for admissions. It is also required that applicants have an adequate mathematics background. Applicants should submit, along with their graduate school application, an official transcript of grades from their undergraduate institution(s), three letters of recommendation, (letters of recommendation from work related sources are preferred), a resume, and a one-page written statement of academic and career goals. Students for whom English is not their national language must also submit an official score report for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Please note that as of February 2023, an official Graduate Management Admission Test (G.M.A.T.) score is no longer required.

2Part-time and Full-time Studystudy

MBA students may attend either full-time or part-time. On campus courses meet during the evening hours beginning at 6:30 PM. Most courses are currently also offered in an online format. Courses are offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. A minimum full-time course load is considered to be 9 credits. Full-time students usually complete their degree requirements in two years. Part-time students must complete their degree requirements within five years.

3Admission to MBA Coursesadmission

MBA advanced core courses are open only to Manning School of Business graduate students who are fully matriculated degree candidates.

4Residency Requirementresidency

To be recommended for the MBA degree, students are required to complete a minimum of ten courses (30 credits) beyond the Foundations Core in the MBA program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Only under special circumstances, and with prior approval, are students permitted to complete courses at other institutions.

The courses in the Manning School of Business are currently offered in an accelerated 8-week format. Student are allowed to register for a maximum of two courses (6 credits) per 8 week term. In order to petition to take more than two courses per 8-week term, the student needs to submit a graduate academic petition to the Manning School Graduate Office.

5Curriculum Requirementscurriculum

The MBA program consists of twelve credit hours of foundation core courses which may be waived through previous undergraduate work, and thirty credit hours (10 courses) of advanced courses and electives, for a total of 42 credit hours.

Guidelines for Graduate Equivalency Credit of Foundation Core Courses:

The maximum number of courses that can be given equivalency credit is 12 credits. A student accepted to the UMass Lowell MBA program may request equivalency credit for any of the core courses listed above. These courses may be credited with exemption (meaning a replacement course is not required) if the equivalent undergraduate course work was completed with a grade of "B" or better within the past ten years. Additionally, up to two courses for 6 credits can be transferred in from an AACSB-accredited MBA program 

 Degree Pathways for the  OPTIONSOptions

Students may choose General Business or concentrate in a particular field by taking three electives in a given area. To take electives, students must have completed the foundation core and be matriculated.

Degree Pathways for Options: