• 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 recent 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 exam or pass the RHCE certification exam 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 exam 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 give 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.

The degree requires 30 credits of graduate study. All candidates must complete 18 credits of required course work consisting of six credits of foundations, three credits of research and nine credits of core courses.

Additionally, each candidate chooses six credits of elective study and six credits of capstone experiences. Candidates who are working in UMass Lowell’s Division of Student Affairs will complete two semesters of substantial capstone/practical training at the end of their M.Ed. coursework. The capstone will be supervised and evaluated jointly by an appropriate supervisor in the Division and a faculty member from the School of Education. Candidates who are not engaged in work within the Division of Student Affairs will complete six credits of capstone course work in which they plan and implement a program within their institution of higher education designed to further the goals of their department, Excellerate procedures, or maximize the efficient operation of a particular group. The project must be planned and approved by the candidate’s current supervisor (there are no placement services for this option) as well as by the School of Education faculty member overseeing the course.

The School of Education's commitment to "Education for Transformation" provides opportunities for students in the M.Ed. Education Administration: Higher Education option to:

• Demonstrate excellent knowledge, judgment and skills in their area of professional focus.
• Promote equity of educational opportunity and access for all members of the Higher Education community.
• Collaborate with other leaders, educators, and community representatives to support educational excellence in higher education.
• Use inquiry and research to address higher education leadership changes and challenges.

Review the suggested Degree Pathway.

For the latest course information, please see the UMass Lowell Online Graduate Catalog.

Our doctoral program in educational administration will prepare you with the theoretical and methodological skills for careers in university research, governmental and non-governmental policy analysis, educational and public agency leadership and community-centered non-profit work. our program is for researchers interested in connections between educational policy and leadership and increasing access to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts within public educational spaces. It also is for researchers who aim to find new ways to integrate theory into practice and utilize interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to make a difference on critical problems affecting society today.

Discover what’s next. In Bethel’s Doctor of Education: Leadership in K-12 Administration program, you’ll be prepared for the complex and challenging role of school and district leadership. By integrating a values-informed framework into your administrative practices, you’ll grow as a trustworthy leader capable of transforming students, colleagues, and communities. With an emphasis on innovation, clarity, and collaboration, you will be prepared to understand and meet the needs of today’s school communities.

Increasingly challenging educational environments, coupled with evolving accountability standards, makes today’s schools complex organizations that require strong leadership. Based on national and state standards, Drexel's Master of Science in Educational Administration prepares elementary and secondary teachers and counselors to become effective and successful school administrators.

Using 21st-century learning tools, rigorous academic preparation, and invaluable internship experiences, the MS in Educational Administration degree program offers graduate students enduring model for successful school leadership in rural, urban, and suburban settings.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Educational Administration & Leadership?

The MS in Educational Administration degree program is a performance-based credential designed as a path to career advancement for elementary and secondary teachers and counselors in K-12 schools. Eligible students may pursue school principal positions and/or supervisor of special education positions. Graduates become school leaders with the strategic vision and tools necessary to initiate change.

Specifically, the MS in Education Administration’s learning outcomes specifically address and respond to the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL) Program.

All curriculum for the MS in Educational Administration is developed and vetted with PIL's standards* in consideration:

Core

• The leader has the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, creating an organizational VISION around personalized student success.
• The leader has an understanding of STANDARDS-BASED SYSTEMS THEORY and design and the ability to transfer that knowledge to the leader's job as the architect of standards-based reform in the school.
• The leader has the ability to access and use appropriate DATA TO INFORM DECISION-MAKING at all levels of the system.

Corollary

• The leader knows how to create a culture of teaching and learning with an emphasis on learning.
• The leader knows how to manage resources for effective results.
• The leader knows how to collaborate, communicate, engage and empower others inside and outside of the organization to pursue excellence in learning.
• The leader knows how to operate in a fair and equitable manner with personal and professional integrity.
• The leader knows how to advocate for children and public education in the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context.

• The leader knows how to support professional growth of self and others through practice and inquiry.

MS in Educational Administration - Program Options

In Drexel University’s MS in Educational Administration degree program, future school leaders participate in rigorous academics and authentic internship experiences while enjoying the flexibility of an online degree experience.

There are five unique online program options designed to fit your specific career goals:

• Option 1: MS in Educational Administration
• Option 2: MS in Educational Administration with school principal certification*
• Option 3: MS in Educational Administration with school principal certification & special education leadership concentration**
• Option 4: MS in Educational Administration with special education leadership concentration**
• Option 5: Pennsylvania administrative certificate, principal K–12 only.*

* Requires a state-issued teacher certificate prior to enrollment. Certification may be issued from any U.S. state or territory.

** Requires a state-issued special education certificate prior to enrollment

All our programs are ideal for certified teachers and counselors who aspire to support 21st-century students and make a difference in the field of education.

As a leading provider of online learning, we understand the dedication it takes to include advanced study in your work and family life and we make every effort to assist you with your studies. Every student is assigned a graduate academic advisor to map out a personalized plan of study. Advisors develop personal relationships with their students, helping them select courses and counseling them in reaching their academic and career goals.

Blackboard serves as an online support center. Through Blackboard students can:

• access course information
• network with classmates, faculty, and program advisors
• join discussion boards and share news
• check job postings
• access archived presentations
• access online tutorials

During the course of study, students benefit from activities such as lecture series by national speakers, dynamic workshops and internship orientations. After graduation, students continue to receive support through our mentorship program.

MS in Educational Administration Program Eligibility

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (graduate degree GPAs will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA)
• For the Principal Certification option: A state-issued teaching or counseling certificate
• For the Supervisor of Special Education concentration: A state-issued special education teacher certificate

Required Documents

With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting Drexel Online's "Completing Your Application Guide."

• A completed application
• Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
• Two letters of recommendation, professional or academic
• PA Administrative Certificate, Principal K-12: One letter of recommendation must come from the principal of a school where you've worked, and discuss your presentation skills and experiences in leadership roles in a K-12 school setting as well as skills that would have a strong bearing on your success as a school leader and administrator
• An essay describing why you're interested in pursuing graduate study in this field
• Include two paragraphs briefly describing your educational philosophy
• PA Administrative Certificate, Principal K-12: Also explain how principals shape learning in K-12 schools
• Additional requirements for International Students

Educational Administration Courses and Curriculum

The MS in Educational Administration was created using a framework of national standards to train individuals with elementary and secondary teaching experience to become transformational school leaders for a new generation.

Graduates learn a proven skill set that can be applied to the following six standards:

● Identifying a personal school vision
● Establishing a school culture based on learning
● Managing finances, facilities, and resources
● Collaborating and communicating with the school, parents and community
● Operating with integrity and fairness in an equitable manner
● Functioning as a student advocate within political, legal, social, economic and cultural contexts

To gain real-world experience in the duties of a school administrator, students pursue activities such as facilitating workshops for teachers, working with parents and community, observing in principal meetings, attending school board meetings, working on new curriculum or program initiatives and directing school-wide activities.

In the internship phase, the student works with a state-certified school principal or an assistant principal in their school district. The student accumulates 15 hours each week for a total of 600 hours over four terms.

Course descriptions may be found in the Drexel University Course Catalog.

Capstone Courses

Students in the MS in Educational Administration program complete a research capstone course where they are introduced to various types of research designs and learn to be both consumers and producers of research. Following completion of the research course, students will complete a capstone experience by selecting one of the two-course multi-disciplinary sequence options below:

• Thesis (Part I and II) - Students who select this option will be required to complete a master’s thesis which consists of a well-written research paper, comprised of five chapters that posits a research question and uses logical arguments & data to address/answer a gap in research
• Lesson Study (Part I and II) - Students who select this option will be required to complete a research-based lesson design and analysis project
• Practitioner Course (Part I and II) - Students who select this option will be required to complete a master’s project. Examples include: A reform initiative narrative, program or grant proposal, white paper or policy analysis, or program evaluation

How to Apply for the Master's of Science in Educational Administration

The MS in Educational Administration is offered 100% online. You can get started by filling out the Drexel Online application.

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