Nontraditional approaches in higher education are discussed, with attention to: (1) economic and philosophical reasons for nontraditional education; (2) future thrusts; (3) nontraditional instructional modalities; and (4) the implications for higher education of the extensive use of nontraditional approaches. It is suggested that nontraditional education helps students to learn on their own and is vital in the concept of lifelong learning. Nontraditional modalities include: videocassettes and videotapes, Community Antenna Television (CATV), individualized instruction, programmed instruction, audio-tutorial method, Keller Plan or Personalized System of Instruction, independent study, learning contracts, experiential learning, and correspondence courses using radio, television, and newspapers. Implications include: new media need to be considered as colleges modernize and plan their facilities; budgeting for new technologies is an important concern; institutional accrediting agencies may have to undergo changes in philosophy and evaluation methods; higher education may begin to change the present credit and degree systems; professional roles will change as a result of efforts to individualize instruction; and colleges may need to re-examine current admissions procedures. A 28-item bibliography is appended. (SW)