Do I have to have one reference letter from MA thesis committee chair?

[Keithkwok]

Dear all,

I am going to apply for PhD this year with an MA. I am from a remote country outside US.

Do I have to have one reference letter from the chair of my MA thesis committee? I saw somebody said 'yes' in an earlier thread, but want more opinions to confirm this. Is it a norm in the US that candidates with an MA are always expected to submit one reference letter from their thesis committee chair?

I am a bit reluctant to ask for a letter from the chair of my thesis committee, because I rarely communicated with him before and after my thesis defense, and he seemed to think my paper was too technical. Also, I already have one letter from another professor who is my committee member. However, he is not the chair.

Thanks!

Edited November 10, 2016 by syf08678