Shaquille O’Neal pursues fifth degree in criminology at Sacramento State

Shaquille O’Neal is pursuing a master’s degree in criminology at Sacramento State University, marking his fifth academic credential and extending a decades-long involvement with law enforcement that recently culminated in an honorary appointment by the FBI.

The 54-year-old began coursework this summer and intends to complete the hybrid program by fall 2027 or summer 2028. His current studies include a course titled “Critical Analysis of Law & Justice.” The academic pursuit aligns directly with professional activities O’Neal has maintained since the late 1990s, when he started working part-time alongside police departments. He eventually earned credentials as a reserve officer in both Los Angeles and Miami. Last month, FBI Director Kash Patel formalized that relationship by naming O’Neal an honorary special agent.

Sacramento State offered overlapping personal incentives. O’Neal’s son, Shaqir, transferred to the university last year to play basketball. The elder O’Neal subsequently joined the program as its general manager in an unpaid, voluntary capacity, according to The Athletic.

The criminology master’s adds to a portfolio of degrees that spans multiple disciplines. After spending three seasons playing basketball at Louisiana State University before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, O’Neal returned to complete his bachelor’s degree. He later earned an MBA, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and most recently a master’s in liberal arts from LSU. Fulfilling a promise made to his mother motivated the initial return to campus, but continued enrollment reflects a broader strategy for a figure with an estimated net worth of $500 million who remains active in broadcasting and business ventures.

O’Neal is currently touring college campuses to teach personal finance, using those appearances to address anxieties among younger students facing rapid shifts in artificial intelligence technology. He argues that while AI accelerates information retrieval, it cannot replicate the discipline, interpersonal negotiation, and face-to-face mentorship embedded in the university experience.

High-profile figures returning to academia after achieving wealth or fame remain statistically rare, though the practice crosses industries. Stephen Curry completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Davidson College in 2022, thirteen years after departing for the NBA. Curry utilized the coursework to study how athletes leverage platforms and financial resources to advance gender equity. Oprah Winfrey finished her final credit at Tennessee State University in 1987, twelve years after leaving one credit short of graduation to launch her television career.

Unlike Curry and Winfrey, who returned primarily to close unfinished chapters, O’Neal continues opening new ones. His criminology studies at Sacramento State represent a distinct pivot toward formalizing practical law enforcement experience into academic expertise, with graduation targeted no earlier than late 2027.