This paper presents arguments supporting major curriculum reforms in American colleges and universities. These reforms would create new options to the traditional patterns of education now being imposed on most students. The author suggests "that this reform should follow much more closely the American land grant college tradition than either the liberal arts tradition or the graduate research and scholarship tradition." The curriculum changes recommended by the Carnegie Commission are summarized and supported with certain modest extensions. It is not recommended that the traditional programs be abolished, but that no one program or combination of any two should be allowed to dominate the educational scene. Problem-oriented courses dealing with the physical, biological, and social environment should be given high priority. (PR)