Michael Paycer - Certifications and Training
Michael Paycer

Certifications and Training

My credentials and training — Microsoft SQL Server certification, CompTIA A+, CWNP CWNA, C# and ASP.NET training, and three database-focused degrees.

Credentials

Certifications & Education

Certifications

  • Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) — SQL Server
  • Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) — Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014
  • CompTIA A+
  • CWNP CWNA — Certified Wireless Network Administrator
  • C# and ASP.NET development training

Education

St. Cloud Technical & Community College — three A.A.S. degrees:

  • A.A.S., Database Administration and Development
  • A.A.S., Microcomputer Programming
  • A.A.S., Computer Programming (AS/400)
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What certifications does Michael Paycer hold?

I hold Microsoft SQL Server certifications (MCTS and MCP), CompTIA A+, and the CWNP CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator), plus formal training in C# and ASP.NET development. My database work is grounded in three A.A.S. degrees — Database Administration and Development, Microcomputer Programming, and Computer Programming (AS/400).

Is Michael a Microsoft-certified SQL Server DBA?

Yes — I hold Microsoft SQL Server certifications (MCTS and MCP) and have worked hands-on with every release from SQL Server 2000 through 2025. In practice the certificate is the floor: the real depth comes from 20+ years running production databases through migrations, HA/DR, and performance crises.

What is Michael Paycer's educational background?

Three Associate of Applied Science degrees from St. Cloud Technical & Community College — Database Administration and Development, Microcomputer Programming, and Computer Programming (AS/400) — the foundation for my two-decade DBA career.

Do certifications or experience matter more for a senior DBA?

Both, in that order: certifications prove you know the fundamentals, but senior database work is judged on experience — diagnosing a stalled Always On failover at 2 a.m., planning a zero-downtime migration, or finding the real cause of a slow query. I bring both.