CORE 130 maybe waived for students whose transfer credits include a college course in mathematics at or above the level of college algebra. (The course is also waived for students who qualify for and complete a Fisk mathematics course numbered 101 or above.)

CORE 140 – Students who have completed a year of English Composition and a course in Fundamentals of Public Speaking would be required to take History 270-African American History to meet the CORE 140 requirement. The CORE 140 requirement would be waived for students whose transfer credits include a course in English composition and a course in African American history or African American literature.

CORE 210 is not often waived, since few institutions offer coursework equivalent in intent to the Fisk course. Students, whose transfer credits include several courses in different literary genres, and one or more courses requiring study of the literature of the natural or social sciences, may be granted waivers of Fisk's CORE 210.

CORE 220 – Students who have completed a course in Art or Music Appreciation will be required to take CORE 220 or the appropriate introductory course in Art (207 or 208), Drama (200), Dance (HFAR 100-A or 100-B).

CORE 230 – Students who have completed a course in Biological or Physical Science will be required to take CORE 230 or the appropriate introductory course in Physics (Physics 130, 130L), Biology (101, 101L) or Chemistry (113, 103L).

CORE 250 maybe waived for students whose transfer credits include coursework (in one or more college courses) encompassing at least two of the humanities disciplines emphasized in the Fisk course -- philosophy, religion, and literature. A single course in philosophy, religion, or literature, however, is not equivalent to Fisk's Core 250, because of the interdisciplinary character of the Fisk course.

CORE 360 maybe waived for students whose transfer credits include coursework (in one or more college courses) in anthropology, cultural geography, comparative cultures, or world history or civilization. Courses limited to Western civilization are not acceptable as transfer equivalents to Fisk's CORE 360, unless the student also has a college course focusing on the history or culture of at least one society that is neither European nor rooted primarily in European traditions.

Transfer students who hold the Associate of Arts or equivalent degree from the transfer-oriented program of an accredited two-year institution are exempted by vote of the faculty from the entire Fisk core curriculum. This exemption is granted whether or not there exists a close correspondence between the program of liberal studies pursued in the two-year college and the normal requirements of Fisk's core curriculum. The exemption does not apply, however, to associate degrees that are purely technical or vocational in character, or any two-year degrees other than those designed primarily to provide a basis for transfer to a four-year liberal arts college. Once matriculated at Fisk, students are expected to complete any remaining core requirements by taking the appropriate Fisk courses. The faculty regards the core curriculum as an important expression of Fisk's special mission in multicultural liberal arts education designed with the African-American experience particularly in mind. Students therefore are not encouraged to seek permission to meet Fisk core requirements through studies at other institutions. Exceptions may be authorized by the Provost, but only in cases of particular need, and only where course equivalencies are clear.