How long does it take to become a Microsoft Certified Applications Developer??

I am a junior in college, and I am finding computer science boring because they don't really teach much about coding. I know C++ , but not how to make GUI's or use Microsoft Visual Studio, but I understand programming. How long to classes offered by trade schools to get a MCAD usually last? How much do they cost? What is covered in the classes, is it mostly hands on coding? ( stuff that isn't boring) Would it be difficult for me to do this if I went to one of the programs? Also is it possible to get a good job just having a MCAD and some college or do most people that are MCAD's also have CS degrees? Thanks

How long does it take to become a Microsoft Certified Applications Developer??
This is slightly off topic, but I have a few certifications in Java, that I earned without any "real world coding" experience immediately after I graduated with my B.S. in computer science, and the tests weren't too difficult. After graduating I was only proficient in C++, I had no course work in Java.





Here are the Java certification test I took:


Sun Certified Java programmer -- Passed in 7-10 days with no prior Java experience


Sun Certified Business Component Developer -- 10 weeks immediately after the Programmer cert, again I had no "real-world" experience.


Sun Certified Web Component -- It took 10 weeks but I was working full time.


Sun Certified Java Developer -- Took 3 years, but mostly because I kept putting it off, but was really like 60-80 hours of coding and planning.





I didn't take any courses. I just self learned with some text books (linked in my sources). The test cost between $150-$200 US dollars each. Could I get a job with only my certs and without a degree...maybe, but both degree and certs help land interviews for jobs. I would definitely finish your degree and if you really want to write code, perhaps you could work part time or do some coding on the side. There are some people that work as full time programmers with no degree and no certs.





I think the MCAD %26amp;MCSD test are either in C# or VB.NET, so you would have to learn one.