OpenFieldFisk University is an elite historically Black liberal arts university (HBCU) in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrated worldwide for the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the groundbreaking Fisk-Vanderbilt Master's-to-PhD Bridge Program, and exceptional STEM pre-medical placement.
Founded in 1866 just months after the end of the Civil War, Fisk is Nashville's oldest postsecondary institution. Fisk holds an extraordinary legacy in American intellectual history (alumni include W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, and John Lewis). Fisk is nationally recognized for producing more Black PhDs in physics than any other US institution through the legendary Fisk-Vanderbilt Master's-to-PhD Bridge Program, alongside world-renowned collections at the Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery.
Undergraduate admissions evaluate high school academic rigor, GPA (minimum 3.0 recommended), counselor recommendation, and writing essay. Fisk is test-optional for ACT/SAT. The Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge Program requires a bachelor's degree in physics, astronomy, biology, chemistry, or materials science, research potential, personal statement, and reference letters. All admitted students are considered for institutional merit scholarships.
Nationally renowned bridge program enabling talented underrepresented scholars to complete a master's at Fisk with full joint research access to Vanderbilt University labs, with guaranteed transition into Vanderbilt PhD programs.
Pre-medical powerhouse curriculum boasting top national acceptance rates into medical, dental, and pharmacy schools, offering laboratory research in cellular oncology, genetics, and infectious immunology.
Rigorous computing degree covering algorithms, machine learning, cloud databases, full-stack software development, and defensive cybersecurity operations in collaboration with major tech partners.
Vocal and musical curriculum steeped in the historic legacy of the Grammy-winning Fisk Jubilee Singers (established 1871), mastering vocal literature, Negro spirituals, opera, and choral direction.
Fisk's highest academic honor, awarded to exceptional incoming freshmen who embody academic perfection, community leadership, and commitment to social justice.
Cutting-edge undergraduate major uniting statistical computing, genomics data mining, machine learning algorithms, and healthcare epidemiology modeling.
Professor of Physics and Director of the Center for Photonic Materials and Devices · Department of Physics & Center for Photonic Materials
Prof. Burger is a world leader in radiation detection crystals, holding dozens of patents in room-temperature semiconductor detectors for homeland security, astrophysics, and medical imaging.
View research profile ↗Associate Professor of Biology and Neuroscience · Department of Life and Physical Sciences
Dr. Nelms investigates genetic regulatory networks governing dopamine neuron differentiation and survival using C. elegans and mammalian cell culture models.
View research profile ↗Professor and Chair of Computer Science and Data Science · Department of Computer Science and Data Science
Prof. Hussain develops energy-efficient protocols for medical body sensor networks and scalable machine learning algorithms for genomic sequence classification.
View research profile ↗Musical Director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers (In Memoriam / Distinguished Chair) · Department of Music
The legacy of Grammy Award-winning Director Paul T. Kwami anchors Fisk's vocal music curriculum, preserving and harmonizing the historic repertory of the Negro spiritual.
View research profile ↗University profile compiled from official Fisk University academic bulletins and institutional directories reviewed on 2026-10-15. OpenField is an independent research guide.