Mark Wahlberg to get his high school diploma

Mark Wahlberg arrives at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards Jan. 15, 2012, in Los Angeles.

/ AP

(CBS News) Mark Wahlberg is going back to school.

During a visit to CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman," the 41-year-old actor announced he plans to get his high school diploma.

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Pictures: Actors who dropped out of school

"They have this new program in Massachusetts where you can actually take the courses online. So I'm starting this month in New Orleans," he said.

Wahlberg say it's different than getting a GED; The program will award him with "an actual diploma ... I gotta take all the courses that I missed and I'm a little nervous."

"They are going to give me whatever credits I have, which is probably like one or two,"  Wahlberg joked, before adding, "I'm gonna make it happen."

Wahlberg said he plans to study when he has down time on the set. He hopes to complete all his coursework within six to eight months.

It's been a while since Wahlberg has hit the books. He dropped out of high school in ninth grade and hasn't been back since.

The producer-actor also told Letterman about how he almost teamed up with his brother, Donnie Wahlberg, as part of New Kids on Block in the 1980s. He decided not to go that route, and shortly after found himself in jail at age 17 for "doing bad things." He served about two and half months.

When he got out, Donnie produced his first album, and we know how the rest went: From "Good Vibrations" and Calvin Klein underwear ads to "Boogie Nights," "The Departed" and "Entourage," Wahlberg has had an illustrious career.

The Hollywood star has a series of new projects in the works. In June, he'll hit the big screen in the comedy "Ted." He also has a starring role in the upcoming film "Broken City" with Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

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Actors who dropped out of school

[mryoubrian]

Now that is a true MAN. Regardless of humiliation or embarrassment, he does what is the right thing for him and sets the example for his kids and kids around the nation.