A Student, And Then Some: James Franco's University Career

James Franco's education is characterized by epic accomplishment and defiant unreality. His recent admission to the University of Houston -- coming one year after he was accepted to Yale -- begs the question: How can one man attend two Ph.D programs thousands of miles apart at the same time? And perhaps more theoretically: How much creative writing instruction can one person physically have?

We don't have the answers to those questions, but we do have a look back at Franco's illustrious -- and ostensibly perpetual -- academic career. Click through to see the way he was/is, from L.A. to New York to Connecticut to North Carolina to back to Connecticut. Aut disce aut discede, James.

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• UCLA

  Franco first enrolled at UCLA in 1996, but dropped out after his freshman year to act. He re-enrolled in 2006, taking anywhere from <a href="http://magazine.ucla.edu/features/smart_set/" target="_hplink">20-62</a> credits per semester. The regular course load is 19 credits.

• Columbia University

  Franco enrolled in <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/12/franco200812" target="_hplink">Columbia's MFA program</a> in 2008 and graduated in 2010.

• NYU

  While at Columbia, Franco also decided to attend a filmmaking program at NYU. "The new critique you're gonna start hearing about James Franco," he told <a href="http://nymag.com/movies/profiles/67284/index3.html" target="_hplink"><em>New York Magazine</em></a> "is 'He's spreading himself too thin.' "

• Brooklyn College

  At the same time, Franco attended <a href="http://magazine.ucla.edu/features/smart_set/" target="_hplink">Brooklyn College</a> for more instruction in creative writing.

• Warren Wilson College

  While he was enrolled in three New York-based MFA programs, Franco <a href="http://nymag.com/movies/profiles/67284/" target="_hplink">frequented</a> Warren Wilson College in North Carolina for extra poetry training.

• Yale University

  In 2010, Franco was accepted into Yale's English Ph.D program.

• RISD

  "Is it art?" James Franco once asked at the end of a <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107104574570313372878136.html" target="_hplink">Wall Street Journal</a> editorial addressing his appearance on General Hospital. It was hard to know, of course, but we do know that Franco sought a technical background in the aforementioned subject, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/arts/design/20franco.html?_r=1&src=tptw&pagewanted=all" target="_hplink">attending</a> RISD.

• University of Houston

  Another doctoral degree, because why not? Franco was accepted to the University of Houston's literature and creative writing program this month.

Comments

[Hope Richardson]

09:44 AM on 05/20/2011

I'm pretty certain this guy's not human. When do you sleep, James?!

But, wow, he is amazing. I applaud his achievements.

[bswell]

04:31 PM on 05/19/2011

He is a wonderfully talented actor and should be congratulated for the variety of creative endeavors in which he engages.

[Typhonator]

03:33 PM on 04/28/2011

A perfect example of the question whether Franco is the victim of the press not doing any research or whether he is purposefully creating a confusing agenda to be able to claim whatever he wants (like, that he would be teaching at Yale). Here, he's a Yale graduate:

http://www.watoday.com.au/ipad-app-only/crown-loses-its-shine-20110428-1dx9m.html

The story suggests he talked with the interviewer. Where's the disconnect? And why?

[Ivan Brugal]

09:38 PM on 04/26/2011

Well...
I dont mean to be discouraging. Actually I am struggling with my one PhD I am on. I dont know how you can be enrolled in more than one, (or what is the purpose of that), plus, hosting the oscars and acting.
This guy must be a genius, a very rare talent. On the other hand, this is the country of Madoff, a Wizard of Lies... What will it be? Lets give it some time and we will find out.

[GeneticRoadkill]

04:41 PM on 04/26/2011

I'm with Troy. I just heard "Imagine" via Pandora! One of my all time favs. (What a gaping hole he left).

If we only do what people think we "should do", we lose big time. This I know. My will is intact.

There will always be people who are leery of, jealous of, and ultimately afraid of: people who seem to have it all or appear to have more than they have. It is the nature of the beast in all of us.

We can't change and they can't change.

I'm a leopard, a cat. My spots are for all to view. For some, I would need to explain what I just wrote. For others (a few, admittedly), they get it = no explanation is needed.
Peace to all.

[Troy Cox]

03:37 PM on 04/26/2011

You either get why someone has a need for knowledge and personal fulfillment or you don't. Nay sayers just go watch your Reality T.V. Just listened to "Watching the Wheels Go Round" by John Lennon. Sort of fits, there is more to James Franco than most can understand.

[Typhonator]

03:42 PM on 04/26/2011

There's a difference between knowledge and degrees. If Franco simply wanted the knowledge, he could undoubtedly audit some of these classes or pay for personal tutoring, etc... The questions remains: Is celebrity triumphing over merit? Why take up places that might go to other deserving candidates (especially in this economy)? Why so many degrees? How do the degrees relate to his art-world connections?

[jackstpaul]

02:07 AM on 04/27/2011

And there's a difference between "attending" a school by being "enrolled" in a degree program and "receiving" the degree.

[GeneticRoadkill]

02:59 PM on 04/26/2011

I am getting tired of hearing all of the negative comments regarding this gentleman. The only person who should care what James Franco does or doesn't do is James Franco! I entered a similar comment under Kia's section a few weeks ago and he chose not to show my posting. Here's the reality: Some folks have it and some folks do not. Get over it. Mr. Franco enjoys higher education, not sticking his arm with a needle. He moves me. His family moves me. Creative peeps, they are. I look forward to future artistic accomplishments from him. Keep it real, James.

[Typhonator]

03:12 PM on 04/26/2011

Ridiculous assertion. He could have gone after all these degrees quietly. Instead, he decided to advertise them. He benefits from the good press, but he also has to endure the criticism.

[GeneticRoadkill]

03:52 PM on 04/26/2011

He has endured the criticism; he has ate his share of humble pie for months now.

Why should an obvious extrovert go after degrees quietly? To please people like you? (Hence my notation that the only people we can please are ourselves).

The universities or institutions he is scheduled to attend would be foolish not to announce his current/future attendance.

[realpragmatist]

04:19 PM on 04/26/2011

I agree 100%.

All power to people like James Franco = positive role model.

[craftycrow]

01:03 PM on 04/26/2011

I am a little suspicious, as it is very hard to get into some of those schools. I know he has money, but come on. If I lost a spot in a PhD program because of James Franco, I'd lose it.

[selenasade]

07:24 AM on 04/26/2011

Who is James Franco and why should I care?

[GeneticRoadkill]

05:20 PM on 04/26/2011

Hello Selena,

If you are not mocking:

James is an actor, director, artist, and author. He attends higher education on an on-going basis. I enjoy him for his natural exuberance, humor, and keen acting skills. He is best known for his Oscar-nominated performance in "127 Hours".

He is getting flak, as usual, for the nerve of seeking higher degrees. Many believe he is self-absorbed and they choose to annihilate him with words. I am not one of those people.

James is well known for his multitasking efforts but mainly the ability to appear in two or more places at once, to be able to speak fluent feline while telepathically conversing with celestial bodies (electromagnetic forces/the ethers, baby!), discovering the secrets to the universe (your own will), and, lastly, living life to the fullest without (I hope) a care in the world. Oh, I forgot: he can morph from human to butterfly, and back again, in a millisecond. He's a shaman, a sage.

He knows none of us are getting out alive and wants to grab it and feel it as he must do.

While I am sure he doesn't read my drivel or I wouldn't share my thoughts, a part of me believes he may leave us young and his spirit needs to fill up and collect the experiences he craves before it's all over.

[selenasade]

07:15 AM on 04/27/2011

Thank you and no, I wasn't mocking. I had never head of him. As for the pursuit of higher education, no one knows more about that than I. I have spent the better part of my life pursuing degrees because I wanted to know everything. I would complete one degree and go on to the next. I stopped when I realized that, in the final analysis, there is not much to know really. Thanks again!

[muhair]

02:25 AM on 04/26/2011

His mailbox is going to be stuffed with fundraising pleas.

[3Nox]

10:25 PM on 04/25/2011

It's like there's three of him!

[LiberalGod]

10:22 PM on 04/25/2011

my first thought was- of-course hes on meth or has some ocd personality disorder.....then i realized what a cynical people we have become...like it could not be someone's inherent joy to accomplish!!

[realpragmatist]

04:22 PM on 04/26/2011

Sadly, lots of us have been cynical and questioning of people's good actions. It is a sign of the pessimistic times.

As someone who has been somewhat academically oriented, I know that what Mr. Franco is doing is not a joke. Phd is not a joke. All the best to him.

[yeswecanjane]

10:10 PM on 04/25/2011

WOW! Some people take life to the fullest:) As someone who has moments and then rests for a while to catch my breath, I am so impressed with James Franco!

[smrgurl25]

08:36 PM on 04/25/2011

Why all the negativity towards this man? He should be commended. He has said he "loves" school and learning and it allows him to be around others with similar interests. There are certainly worse things he could be doing.

[Typhonator]

11:06 PM on 04/25/2011

Yes, he loves school so much that he refuses to take on one degree at a time and try to get out as much as possible from the experiences. Please. He's in a big hurry to get as many degrees as possible. The guy doesn't even have time to talk with his professors except on train rides. this is not somebody relishing the intellectual community. Yes, there are worse things he could be doing, but that doesn't mean this is what he should be doing.

[smrgurl25]

02:29 AM on 04/27/2011

Ok: First of all, he is not getting degrees at all of the schools he is attending. He got BA from UCLA, a Creative writing MFA from Columbia and a Film MFA from NYU. PhD from Yale in progress. All of the other classes he attends are just that: classes that interest and enrich him. I personally have a BS, 2 MS in different specialities and I am working on a PhD in comm health nursing. I did all of this while working in research at a reputable medical school. If I had the money to fly to other places to pick up info/classes at other universities, I would have done it as well to get different perspectives, etc. I feel I have gained alot out of all of my experiences, have great respect for my peers and mentors and having a blast doing it. What he is doing is realistic and his motives are real. I know b/c I am doing the same thing, just a different subject. Do u know that he is not getting satisfaction from what he is doing or a "fly on the wall" that knows how and what he talks to his professors about? He is the only one that knows what he "should" be doing. It's HIS life and if it makes him happy It's not hurting anyone else, what's the problem? It's not ur place to judge. The criticism and judgement of this guy's life is silly and very unnecessary.

[dbushik]

06:08 PM on 04/25/2011

You know, when Franco goes out and pursues a technical degree, then I'll be impressed. When he earns an MS in Mechanics and Materials or Thermo and Fluids, or he goes after a PhD in Theoretical Physics, then I'll be impressed. All this fine arts / liberal arts degree stuff is a bunch of hooey.

[LiberalGod]

10:18 PM on 04/25/2011

that stuff is non-essential boring garbage(physics, engineering etc)

[realpragmatist]

04:23 PM on 04/26/2011

Boring is relative. I agree. I love Physics, Maths, and Engineering. That was my environment and upbringing.

Non-essential?! You can't be serious!

[Typhonator]

08:15 PM on 04/26/2011

So wait...that's not cynical?

[ivychap2010]

12:42 PM on 04/26/2011

I don't think its a bunch of hooey, people have academic preferences and also he is an actor. He obviously has a creative mind and wants to pursue things that allow him to be creative. I think the only problem is the amount of stuff he is pursing at a given time.