what phd does shaquille o'neal have

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Shaq earns education doctorate

• Associated Press

MIAMI -- Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal is a doctor now.

O'Neal received his doctoral degree in education from Barry University alongside 1,100 other students during commencement ceremonies on Saturday.

The Miami Herald reports O'Neal got on one knee so the chair of Barry's organizational learning and leadership program could drape a light blue hood around O'Neal's more-than-7-foot frame.

O'Neal then high-fived other graduates as he made his way back to his seat along with his manager, Cynthia Atterberry, who also received a doctorate in education.

The former All-Star and MVP earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.813 while completing 54 credit hours at Barry, mostly through online courses and video conferencing over the past four years. O'Neal's doctoral capstone project explored how CEOs and business leaders use humor in the workplace.

Does Shaq have a PhD or Doctoral Degree? Shaquille O’Neal degrees (MBA, Ed.D)

Shaquille O’Neal, also known as Shaq, is not only a superstar NBA athlete and one of the best centers of all time in basketball but also holds a doctorate degree as well as many other advanced degrees.

He earned his Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) from Barry University in Miami with a thesis on “The Duality of Humor and Aggression in Leadership Styles”.

In 2012, Shaquille O’Neal graduated with an Ed.D in Human Resource Development , a program centered on organizational learning and leadership.

This doctorate is similar to a PhD in many ways, except it focuses more on practical application and practice than research.

The NBA legend started working towards his doctorate towards the end of his illustrious NBA career, stemming from a promise he had made to his mother. Shaq maintained that he would one day complete his education which he did by earning his doctorate.

Undoubtedly, his dedication to following through on this promise demonstrates his commitment to higher education and fulfilling personal goals.

Shaq’s academic journey began at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played college basketball. After his early entry into the NBA draft, this basketball player completed several online courses to achieve his degree from LSU, showcasing his perseverance.

In addition to his Ed.D, Shaq plans to further his education by attending law school. This pursuit underlines the multi-dimensional nature of this iconic Lakers player.

What Shaq said about his doctoral degree in education:

What motivated me to continue is, you know, this is the field that I wanted to be in, organizational leadership. So, as I was studying, you know, the experts, you know, the John C. Maxwell, the Hersey’s and Blanchards. You know, I realized that, you know, some of the techniques that they apply were some of the techniques that I was already using, you know, to become the great leader I was in sports. You know, I realized that, you know, especially when it comes to task and relationships. And also, you know, as I started reading, I was like, wow, this is very, very interesting. So, I had to put myself in little kid mode, like I was reading Goleverse Travels. So, like, you know, I have a crazy war of brands sometimes. So, instead of saying, oh, it’s not the cop call man, I got to read 80 pages, I would put myself in. Okay, he did this, and you know, I would make it fun. And I got to be very, very fun, quite enjoyable. When you cross into someone’s field, one thing you must have is their respect. So, you know, if I’m, if I’m gonna call myself a police officer, there’s a must that I go through the same training that they go through. Gas masks, the tasing, the running, the yelling. You know, if I’m gonna call myself a doctor, let’s go through the same, same academics that each student went through. So, I don’t, I don’t believe in anything honorary.

How many degrees does Shaquille O’Neal have? His love of learning – Shaq’s education

What Is Shaq’s Master’s Degree?

Shaquille O’Neal, or simply Shaq, is a former NBA superstar who has accomplished a lot both on and off the court, solidifying his legacy in NBA history.

Even after retiring from basketball, Shaq continued to pursue education and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.

He was highly motivated to earn this degree as he had taken a lot of business-related decisions in his life, including owning a few franchises and investing in many businesses.

Shaq also believes that education is important and encourages everyone to pursue it.

He has given back to society by endowing large amounts of money to charities for education, which is a testament to his belief in its value as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Shaq’s endeavors and his ability to balance it all while constantly seeking new frontiers makes him an inspiring figure to people of all ages who wish to achieve more.

Wrapping up – NBA Career to Ed.D

Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA legend, is a prime example of the importance of lifelong learning and personal development.

His academic journey is a testament to his determination and resilience, as well as his ability to balance multiple pursuits successfully. Shaq’s commitment to his education, coupled with his philanthropic efforts, make him a true inspiration for anyone striving to achieve greatness both in their personal and professional lives.

From earning his B.A. degree in General Studies to his bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Development to his Ed.D. degree in Human Resource Development, attending the Sportscaster U training camp, and even studying directing and cinematography,

Shaq showcases that there truly are no limits to what we can accomplish if we set our minds to it. His pursuit of law school and dedication to giving back to the community further highlight his commitment to personal growth and making a difference in the world, much like his fellow basketball player Kobe Bryant did.

As we celebrate Shaq’s lengthy list of achievements, we are reminded that success is not solely defined by our careers, but also by our dedication to expanding our knowledge and constantly striving to become better versions of ourselves.

Let’s take a page from Shaq’s book and remember that it’s never too late to learn, grow, and make a positive impact.q’s book and remember that it’s never too late to learn, grow, and make a positive impact.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Shaquille O’Neal Earns His Doctorate

By The Associated Press

• May 5, 2012

The former N.B.A. star Shaquille O’Neal received his doctoral degree in education from Barry University alongside 1,100 other students during commencement ceremonies in Miami Shores, Fla. O’Neal high-fived other graduates as he made his way back to his seat along with his manager, Cynthia Atterberry, who received a doctorate in education. O’Neal compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.813 while completing 54 credit hours at Barry, mostly through online courses and video conferencing over the last four years. O’Neal’s doctoral project explored how business leaders use humor in the workplace.

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Mar 12, 2023 | 1:11 PM EDT

Shaquille O’Neal speaks during Pepsi Stronger Together and CTG Foundation Atlanta Law Enforcement on in McDonough, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Pepsi Stronger Together)

Shaquille O’Neal wanted to take his talents to the NBA after a brief stint with LSU. However, his parents Phillip A. Harrison and Lucille O’Neal advised him to continue school. Unwillingly, Shaq obliged. However, three years into college, coach Dale Brown was tired of all the hard fouls that were allowed on the towering center. Brown was worried that Shaq could potentially suffer a serious injury that could hamper his NBA career. So he himself convinced his parents to allow him to declare for the NBA draft before graduating.

O’Neal declared for the 1992 NBA draft with a promise to his parents that he would come back and finish his degree. The Orlando Magic selected him as the first overall pick. Subsequently, there was no stopping the powerhouse, who went on to achieve almost everything there is to achieve in the league. However, Shaq’s parents still wanted their son to keep his promise and complete his education.

Shaquille O’Neal is highly qualified outside the basketball world

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Shaquille O’Neal is arguably one of the best basketball players ever. However, he is much more than just a basketball legend. Shaq is a certified polymath and highly qualified outside of the basketball world as well. He can do it all, from making music and starring in movies to building successful businesses. Furthermore, he was a smart entrepreneur from the very start of his career. Amidst his success in the league, O’Neal was winning off the court as well.

Shaq was one of the most popular athletes in the world and it earned him major endorsements. However, he soon realized that he could earn much more via partnerships. So the Big Aristotle joined hands with major brands instead of just endorsing them. This helped him build his massive business empire.

READ MORE – Awestruck NBA World Notice Crazy Body Transformation as Shaquille O’Neal Unleashes Hysterical Clip

However, it did not come easy. The Los Angeles Lakers legend had to spend many sleepless nights studying to be where he is now. Even though he was a superstar in the league, he did not forget his promise to his parents. So he worked hard to graduate and educate himself aptly. However, Shaq did not stop after getting his first degree. His motivation to learn more only increased from there on.

What’s your perspective on:

Have an interesting take, being a good businessman, shaquille o’neal has invested a lot in his education.

Shaquille O’Neal was curious about business from a very early stage in his NBA career. He learned things with experience, making mistakes here and there. However, he made sure to not make the same mistake twice. Furthermore, he surrounded himself with brilliant minds and did not hesitate to ask questions about entrepreneurship. Now, he has over 172 restaurants and 150 car washes that add to his impressive net worth.

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Shaquille O’Neal arrives ahead of the 2018 NBA All-Star Game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 18, 2018. (Photo by Philip Pacheco/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The Hall of Famer understood the importance of education as a good businessman. However, he had to learn it the hard way. Even though his associates respected him, they did not think he would understand the details being discussed in business meetings. So whenever they discussed business, they did it by themselves. Shaq was not happy with the way he was treated in meetings .

The four-time NBA champion thought his lack of education in business was the reason behind it. So he wanted to be in charge and decided to educate himself further and hence, invested a lot of his time and money in education.

Shaquille O’Neal’s education is one of his biggest achievements in life

Over the course of his NBA career, Shaquille O’Neal has won almost every accolade there is to win. After losing the Finals playing for the Orlando Magic, Shaq could not wait to win his first-ever title. However, he had to bide his time even after joining the Lakers. O’Neal and the Lakers fell short in the playoffs multiple times. Shaq received major criticism from analysts and fans because of his inability to deliver chips despite his massive contract. However, he vouched to win it all and decided to do whatever it took.

When Shaq found head coach Phil Jackson was available, he let the management know his desire to play under Jackson. Furthermore, he met Jackson to convince him to join the team. The legendary head coach had some conditions for O’Neal regarding his training regimen, which he obliged. Then there was no stopping the Lakers. They went on to win three straight titles from 2000 to 03 despite Shaq and Kobe Bryant’s internal feud.

WATCH THIS STORY – How much did Shaquille O’Neal weigh at birth

Shaq won the NBA MVP award in 2000 en route to his first NBA ring. Additionally, he won the Finals MVP award on all three occasions. Other than Shaq, only Michael Jordan has done that. After leaving LA in 2004, the Big Diesel won another title with the Miami Heat in 2006. He has also won the All-Star Game MVP thrice while playing in 15 editions. He was eventually inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Even though O’Neal has won almost everything in the NBA, his education will still be considered one of his biggest achievements, mostly because of the importance he ascribes to it.

Complete details on Shaquille O’Neal’s educational background

Eight years after leaving LSU, Shaquille O’Neal went back and kept his promise by earning his B.A. degree in general studies. His parents could not be more proud. However, he was just getting started. The 15-time NBA All-Star reached out to the University of Phoenix to join the MBA program. But the university only offered online courses. However, Shaq wanted to attend classes. The management said that it needs more students who are willing to attend physical classes to make it happen.

So O’Neal enrolled 15 of his associates and paid for them as well. In 2005, the 2000 NBA MVP earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix. But his mother’s tears of joy pushed him to do more . Lucille O’Neal suggested that it would be nice to have a doctor in the family.

So Shaq began his work to earn a doctorate in education in 2010. According to a report from ESPN , O’Neal received his Ed.D. in Human Resource Development from Barry University in 2012. Contrary to popular belief, Shaq does not have a Ph.D . However, Dr. Shaquille O’Neal earned his doctorate, just like his mother desired.

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Does Shaq Really Have a Ph.D.?

Bradley Geiser has been a contributing writer since 2019 and works with content for MotorBiscuit and Sportscasting. He earned his bachelor's degree in English literature and English creative writing from UC Davis.

Published 03 Apr 2020

Shaquille O’Neal acts, raps, analyzes basketball on TNT, invests in dozens of companies , and even owns a partial stake in the Sacramento Kings. On top of it all, however, Shaq is a lifelong student.

Many NBA fans might not know that O’Neal is the proud recipient of a doctoral degree. His commitment to education is a sticking point for him.

Shaquille O’Neal goes to college

Shaq initially followed the path of many others when he attended Louisiana State University . Although he valued his education, he knew he faced a lucrative NBA career as the consensus No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. O’Neal began at LSU in 1989 and, according to him, knew he wanted to finish with his degree no matter what, reports The New York Times .

If Ben Simmons goes No. 1 overall, he will join Shaquille O’Neal as the only No. 1 picks from LSU in the NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/6CfJkpgjCb — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 23, 2016

Three years later, he left for the NBA, putting his educational goals on hold. Despite his status as an NBA superstar, he wanted to get his degree and used his parents as motivation. “I promised my parents I’d do it. I promised myself I’d do it,” O’Neal said of earning his degree. “It took eight years; it should have taken six or seven. I had some other engagements.”

That eight-year wait ended in 2000 when O’Neal famously missed a game against the Vancouver Grizzlies to attend his college graduation from LSU. “Here he is, almost 30, and he’s graduating from college,” Phil Jackson said per ABC News . “He’s persevered to do it. We wish him well in his graduation; it’s a wonderful thing to do.”

Not every player needs to finish their education. LeBron James hasn’t even gone to college. O’Neal, however, wanted his degree and wouldn’t stop with his bachelor’s. 

Becoming ‘Dr. Shaq’ 

Five years after receiving his degree and fresh off his tumultuous ending with the Lakers , O’Neal received another diploma. He got his master’s degree in business thanks to the University of Phoenix’s online opportunities, reports Harvard blog Ipso Facto . Shaq received a degree in business administration, which should shock no one who’s followed his career.

Meet Dr. Shaquille O'Neal with Barry University President pic.twitter.com/3IYltyz8 — Melissa Adan Vargas (@MelissaABCNews) May 5, 2012

While several big names get honorary degrees from various schools, O’Neal earned his just like any other grad school student. He took what he learned and applied it to his craft away from the court, but he didn’t stop there. 

Attendees at a 2012 convocation for Barry University saw one particularly large graduate in their midst, reports ESPN . Recently retired from the NBA, O’Neal finished his educational goal and received his doctorate in business along with 1,100 other students. O’Neal put himself in an exclusive club of pro athletes with doctorates. He is not technically a Ph.D. but received his Ed.D (Doctor of Education).

Shaquille O’Neal passes it on

Shaq’ss love for education does not stop there, however. Now a father to six adult and teenage children, O’Neal wants to instill his love of learning into the next generation of his family. Referencing the work he saw Miami Heat owner Micky Arison give his son, O’Neal wants his kids to learn the value of hard work and education.

O’Neal said he wants his kids to get at least two degrees before they dip into his money. This way, they can invest their finances similarly to how he does while also learning valuable life lessons. 

Off the court, O’Neal has had about as much success as he did on it. In a world where athletes are often lost outside of their games, O’Neal showed there is a path for even the largest superstars to expand their expertise.

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Shaquille O'Neal Earns Doctoral Degree from Barry University

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Shaquille O'Neal Becomes Receives Doctorate Degree

                                                                         (Image Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

While much of the world refers to NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal simply as "Shaq," the towering 7-foot-1 former basketball center will soon have a new moniker: Dr. O'Neal.

Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., will award O'Neal a doctorate in education this weekend after more than four years of graduate school work, including one-on-one class sessions O'Neal arranged to have as he traveled around the country, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The former L.A. Lakers and Miami Heat champion successfully defended his dissertation at the Roman Catholic university earlier this month after completing 16 courses, 54 credit hours, and finishing with a 3.8 GPA.

The soon-to-be Dr. O'Neal, Ed.D,  concentrated in Organizational Learning and Leadership, and wrote a dissertation, complete with an oral and video project, titled, "How Leaders Utilize Humor or Seriousness in Leadership Roles."

"He was a good student," Dr. David M. Kopp, chairman of the university's Organizational Learning and Leadership program, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "He is very intellectually curious. He is like a sponge, he takes everything in."

O'Neal, 40, will walk in the weekend graduation ceremonies with 1,100 other students at the James L. Knight International Center in Miami, according to the report.

Barry University and a representative for O'Neal did not respond to calls for comment.

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• Barry University

Shaquille O'Neal graduates from Barry University with doctoral degree in Education

Miami Shores, Fla. – NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal can now be referred to as “Dr. O’Neal,” following his graduation from Barry University on May 5 with a doctoral degree in Education.

O’Neal joined more than 1,100 Barry students who graduated during multiple Commencement ceremonies at the James L. Knight Center in Miami. O’Neal was enrolled in Barry’s Adrian Dominican School of Education and received his doctoral degree in Organizational Learning and Leadership with a specialization in Human Resource Development.

For the past four-and-half years, O’Neal pursued his doctoral degree in Education while juggling the roles of athlete, student, and entrepreneur. He completed the requirements of the doctoral program while adhering to the grueling NBA schedule prior to his retirement last year as well as fulfilling commitments in broadcasting and business.

O’Neal achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.813 while completing 54 credit hours, comprised of 16 courses and six credit hours of self-directed research under the guidance of Dr. David M. Kopp, chair of Barry’s Organizational Learning and Leadership program.  In addition to attending class on Barry’s campus and participating in academic sessions with university professors and administrators, O’Neal’s instruction was provided via satellite classrooms, video conferencing and Blackboard.com.

As part of his graduation requirement, O’Neal presented his Doctoral Capstone Project titled, “How Leaders Utilize Humor or Seriousness in Leadership Styles,” to Barry faculty and administrators.

In 2000, O’Neal returned to the campus of Louisiana State University to complete studies for his Bachelor of Science in General Studies – a promise made to his mother at the time he was drafted by the Orlando Magic. He received his MBA in 2005.

“This is for my mother, who always stressed the importance of education,” O’Neal said. “I am proud to have achieved a doctoral degree and wish to thank my professors and Barry University for helping make this dream a reality.  I’m smart enough to know that, even at my tender age, my pursuit of education is never finished.”