Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is an industry-recognized way to prove workforce-ready skills. Through project-based exams, students complete real-world tasks in Microsoft Excel and other Office applications, demonstrating the hands-on skills employers look for and preparing for future academic and career opportunities.
Thanks to my MOS Certification, I was hired as an Inventory Management Intern at Sephora this summer, which is a position that heavily relies on using Excel. During the interview, my hiring managers were very impressed with my passing score of 900. ... I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to get MOS certified last spring and hope students in the future are able to take advantage of this wonderful program as well. (Student Feedback, Fall 2019)
MOS at SFSU:
San Francisco State University, based on the initiative of Lecturer Faculty Daniel Ciomek and the Information Systems Department in the Lam Family College of Business (LFCoB), with the support of many LFCoB staff, has obtained the status of an official non-public Certiport Authorized Test Center for Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) testing.
MOS certification at SF State is available for SF State students currently taking Information Systems for Management (ISYS 363), or who took the course before for as long as they are enrolled at SF State. The Information Systems Department has procured a site license and the certification exam requires no additional fee, including a retake if needed. ($100 retail value) Students who pass will receive a certificate and be able to display their official Microsoft badge on social media sites, such as LinkedIn.
After a successful pilot program trial during Fall 2018, the Information Systems Department has facilitated hundreds of exam sessions with over 1,350+ test takers and over 675+ certificates to date. (Oct. 2026)
More information about the various exams can be found here:
- MOS Overview: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Certifications/Microsoft/MOS/Overview
- Excel Associate: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/mos-excel-associate-m365-apps
- Excel Expert: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/exams/mo-211/
- Access Expert: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/exams/mo-500/
Test days will usually be available during spring and fall semesters, depending on test lab and instructor availability.
California State Qualifier Winners:
Students 22 years of age or younger before July 1 of the competition year have a chance to win the California State Qualifier and win an invitation to the U.S. National MOS Championship:
- https://cob.sfsu.edu/archive/news/post/Finance-and-Decision-Sciences-Major-Receives-Microsoft-Award.html
- https://cob.sfsu.edu/archive/news/post/Finance-Major-Receives-Microsoft-Award.html
- One gator won the 10th place in the Excel category in 2023
U.S. National Championship and World Championship:
- U.S. Championship: https://www.pearsonvue.com/moschampionship/us.html
- World Championship: https://www.pearsonvue.com/moschampionship/
Earn College Credit through MOS?
Students might be able to use the MOS certification to earn additional college credit. The American Council on Education recommends one unit for the Excel Specialist exam and 3 units for the Excel Expert exam.
Please check with the registrar’s office.
When will you get MOS certified? It’s good for your resume, a great talking point to demonstrate your quantitative skills to a recruiter, and these skills will help you in many of your classes throughout your college career, as well as later-on during your professional work.
Sign-up for the mailing list to hear about informational events, the latest news about the program, upcoming test days or free trials of the test prep software, if available. Please visit: https://mos.dcio.tech and sign up for the mailing list!