Shaquille O'Neal -- The Big Graduate

Shaquille O'Neal received his doctoral degree in Education from Barry University yesterday -- and no, it was not honorary ... he earned it!

Shaq -- wearing a custom-made, bright red XXXL-sized gown -- was one 1,100 students honored during the commencement ceremonies at the James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami.

On earning the degree, Shaq said, "Everyone thinks this is honorary. But this is not honorary. I put in four and a half hard years staying up late at night, studying, reading, rewriting papers Dr. Kopp marked up."