Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most accomplished basketball players of all time but how well has he done in terms of education?
Shaquille O’Neal began working on his doctoral degree towards the end of his NBA playing career, studying at Barry University. He was working toward an educational doctorate and was reportedly studying organizational learning with a Specialization in human resource development.
Shaq graduated in 2012 and received his Ed.D.(Doctor of Education) degree in Human Resource Development from Barry University. The topic for his doctoral capstone was ‘The Duality of Humor and Aggression in Leadership Styles’. The reason O’Neal chose this topic was because he wanted to be a motivational speaker and at the time had plans to go to law school.
O’Neal is known for the strict stance on education with his kids and that’s why many people have asked does Shaq have a PhD? Does Shaq have a PhD? The answer to that question is yes.
Before Shaq got his Doctoral degree, the former NBA big man completed a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree while playing in the NBA. When O’Neal left Louisiana State University(LSU) after three years of college to enter the 1992 NBA Draft, he promised his mother that he one day would go back and complete his Bachelor’s degree.
He did just that in the year 2000 while playing with the Los Angeles Lakers, when he graduated from LSU with a B.A. degree Studies and a minor in Political Science. His Head Coach at the time Phil Jackson even let him miss a home game so that he could attend his graduation ceremony.
Shaq completed an online MBA degree from the University of Phoenix in the year 2005. O’Neal said this on earning his MBA, “It’s just something to have on my resume for when I go back into reality. Someday I might have to put down a basketball and have a regular 9-to-5 like everybody else.”
Besides this, Shaq has completed the Sportscaster U. training camp at the S.I. The School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and has even studied directing and cinematography at New York Film Academy’s Filmmaking Conservatory.
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