Masters vs. PhD accptance dates

[ninnescahsis]

Hi, I've applied to four interdiciplinary masters programs, all in sustainable agriculture.

I wanted to see if any of you had an insight about how Universities do thier acceptances for masters students vs. thier PhD students. It seems like the PhD people who are going to be accepted are getting thier decisions right around now, but that masters student's arent - and won't be hearing until March or after. At least, that's what I'm hearing form my programs.

Is that normal? What gives? Is it a funding issue?

[hitomimay]

Well, a lot of this depends on the program, but I know a number of doctoral programs gives applicants the opportunity to defer their application to a Masters program should they be rejected from the doctoral program. Hence, I think it actually makes some sense that PhDs come out first before Masters.