You can now address Shaquille O’Neal as Dr. O’Neal as he’s just completed 10-15 years of study at Barry University, earning his doctoral degree in Education with emphasis on Organizational Learning and Leadership and Human Resources. This past weekend, Shaq attended his graduation ceremony with his girlfriend, Hoopz, by his side. Upon accepting his diploma, Shaq reportedly bended down on one knee so his professor could place his hood around his neck.

Shaq’s educational journey is quite impressive. With a busy NBA schedule, you have to wonder how he found the time to study for exams, complete homework, be a father and even spend a little time trying to launch a rap career, but somehow, he got it all done. After leaving college early to enter the NBA draft back in 1992, Shaq was determined to finish his education by any means necessary. He returned to school a few years after the draft to Louisiana State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree and then an MBA from the University of Phoenix online degree program and now Barry’s doctoral program. He managed to fly his professors to him for one-on-one study sessions in order to stay on top of his studies and says that he did not pay for an honorary degree but instead he, “put in four and a half hard years staying up late at night, studying, reading, rewriting papers Dr. Kopp marked up”.

Dr. O’Neal says that he’s not done yet, and is even thinking about going law school next! Way to go!