Confused about apparent changes in M$ Certification

I am going to have another try at getting funding for the upcoming academic year so I can have another go at certification.

However I see the MSCE/MCSA components seem to have changed with MCP finishing at Server 2003/XP Professional and Vista and Server 2008 having a new name MCTS or something. Is this correct and are they still MCSA core components? Can I use the A+ course as an MCSA component?

There is a good reason I never went for those certs... I couldn't fathom them out.... hopefully someone who has spent the time will be of more use than me!