5) Shaquille O’Neal – Barry University(5 of 18)
5) Shaquille O’Neal – Barry University(5 of 18)
Degree(s): Ed.D. in Human Resource Development, Barry University
Shaquille O’Neal probably doesn’t come across as someone who has completed his higher studies, partly due to the fact that he is a hugely successful athlete and one of the most successful basketball players the game has ever seen. He left LSU, when he got drafted into the NBA, but he had promised his mother that he would return and complete his studies. He fulfilled that promise by returning to complete his bachelor of arts in general studies.
His coach at the time, Phil Jackson, even let him miss a home game, so that he could attend his graduation, and at his ceremony, he said that he could now get a real job. Shaquille O’Neal didn’t just complete his bachelors; he also completed his MBA online from the University of Phoenix. He said that he wanted to have something impressive on his resume like the rest of the people who worked 9 to 5 regular jobs.
Towards the end of his career, he started to work on an Ed.D in Human Resource Development at Barry University, and he got his degree in 2012. He also has plans to further his studies as he has intentions to attend law school. O’Neal has also studied cinematography and directing at the New York Film Academy’s Filmmaking Conservatory.
Even now, after his lucrative and long NBA career is coming to an end, Shaq is still thinking about his studies, which goes on to show that if you have got a passion then you can do anything in life.