Senior centers are growing in size, number, variety, and sophistication of programs. However, administrative salaries are low, turnover is high and educational backgrounds are very diverse. A training needs assessment survey was carried out by means of a 57-item questionnaire mailed to 1,963 members of National Council on the Aging's (NCOA's) National Institute of Senior Centers. Analysis of the 417 returns revealed characteristics of center administrators, their educational backgrounds, their perceived educational needs, and details of their programs. The centers reported an average daily attendance of 146 people and 365 individual service contacts a month. Most administrators were female and between the ages of 35 and 54, with 73.3% having completed at least four years of college. Continuing education was considered very important by 72.8% of the respondents on topics including program design and development, skills for working with the elderly, and management training. Administrators and their centers reported a willingness to invest time and money in continuing education. (Author)