FAQ’s about Themis

Q:  Why did the Law School pick Themis?

A:  Themis Bar Review is a nationally recognized bar exam and academic success firm. In recent years, Themis has been a key partner in our core bar prep program for graduating students. In making the decision to launch these resources, the School of Law evaluated the past performance of graduates on the bar exam, explored available commercial bar preparation resources, solicited input from current students, and presented the concept to the law school faculty and administration. We believe strongly that it is our responsibility to ensure your success from the point of being admitted on through to the bar exam and eventually in practice.

Making these supplemental resources available to all students will increase their early exposure to the bar exam and enhance their bar-related coursework. Making it easier to manage the costs of bar prep will also be a great benefit for our students.

Q:  Will financial aid be available to cover the fee?

A:  Yes. The cost is built into your standard tuition and fees, just like other programs and services at the law school. Contact Law Financial Aid (lawfinancialaid@scu.edu) for additional information.

Q:  I am a visiting or exchange student at Santa Clara Law for a semester. Can I get access to the Themis academic materials and/or bar preparation materials?

A:  No, at this time we do not offer this option.

Q:  I am an LLM student who is interested in taking a bar exam. Can I get access to the Themis academic materials and/or bar preparation materials?

A:  Yes, LLM students will be privy to the same pricing as the JD students, but will also have access to the LLM Advantage program.

Q:  I will be taking a leave of absence. Will I have access to Themis?

A:  Students on leave don’t have access to any University or Law School resources. This would include suspended access to Themis while on leave.

Q:  I am a 1L; what Themis materials will I have access to?

A:  1Ls will have access to Themis’ 1L Law School Essentials content, which will cover all first-year subjects tested on the bar exam (Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property and Torts). The material includes on-demand substantive lectures, accompanying interactive handouts/key concept sheets, and mini-assessment to test skills and knowledge learned. Hard copies and electronic copies will be made available. 1Ls will also have access to the Themis 1L Skills for Success program (a series of lectures focused on foundational and cognitive skills that are transferable to both law school and bar exam success).

Q: I am a 2L; what Themis materials will I have access to?

A:  In addition to the resources described above, 2Ls will have access to Themis’ Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (“MPRE”) prep course in the Summer following their first year. You will also have access to Themis’ Rising 2L Summer Program, which includes specific content for each first-year subject – Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Real Property, and Torts.  2Ls will also have access to Themis’ Upper-Level (2L/3L) Law School Essentials content, which covers upper-division subjects tested on the bar exam (Constitutional Law, Corporations, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Wills & Trusts). The material includes on-demand substantive lectures, accompanying interactive handouts/key concept sheets, and mini-assessment to test skills and knowledge learned. Hard copies and electronic copies will be made available.

Q:  I am a 3L/4L; what Themis materials will I have access to?

A:  In addition to the resources described above, 3Ls/4Ls who do not opt out of Themis’ bar preparation program will have access to Themis’ UWorld MBE QBank. All students, regardless of opt-out status, will have access to the Advanced Legal Writing: The Bar Exam (“ALW”) course, which incorporates Themis material.

Q:  What if I already have signed-up with Themis? Do I get a refund for any fees I’ve already paid Themis?

A:   If you have not opted out by the applicable opt-out date, you will receive a bill directly from Themis which you will be responsible for paying if you wish to retain access to the Themis bar preparation program and materials. Any prior payment which you have made to Themis will be credited to the negotiated tuition. Any amount that exceeds the overall Themis negotiated tuition will be refunded to you. Contact Themis directly to request a credit or refund. If you opt out, contact scu@themisbar.com to check on your eligibility for a refund.

Q: Can I purchase a post-graduate bar prep course from BarBri, Kaplan or another vendor?

A: Yes, but you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket at market rates, and the law school can’t be an intermediary if you encounter difficulties.

Q:  What if I already signed-up with another Bar prep company? Do I get a refund for any fees I’ve already paid Themis?

A:  Starting with December 2024 graduates and beyond, if you opt out within the designated opt-out window, you will be provided a credit against your SCU tuition bill in an amount set forth in the schedule below. If you do not opt out within the opt-out period corresponding to your anticipated graduation date, you will automatically be enrolled in the Themis bar prep program and will not be eligible for a tuition credit. December 2023, May 2024, and July 2024 graduates are not eligible to receive a credit to their SCU student account even if they meet their designated opt-out date.

Q:  I did not opt out by the applicable deadline for my anticipated graduation date; however, I ended up having to extend my expected graduation by a semester. Can I now opt out and receive the full opt-out credit?

A: It depends on when you decide to opt out; if you decide before the applicable opt-out date of the rescheduled graduation date, then yes. Example: If you were expected to graduate in May, and instead will graduate in July, then you may not opt out after September 15 of the previous year. Compare: If you were expected to graduate in May, and instead push out your graduation to December, then you must opt out by February 15 of that same year, so you could opt out by this date even if you did not opt out on September 15 of the previous year.

Q: If I opt out of Themis, will I still have access to the materials for the Advanced Legal Writing: Bar Exam (“ALW”) course?

A: Yes, if you take ALW, you will have access to accompanying Themis materials during that course.

Q: How come I don’t get a full refund of all of the Student Success and Wellness fees I have paid when I opt out of Themis?

A: Those fees are for a variety of programs and services; Themis’ entire suite of academic resources is only one such service that is supported by the fee.

Q: What if I don’t take a bar exam immediately after graduation but want to take it in a future year. Will I still have access to free Bar preparation?

A: Yes.

Q:  If I have to repeat the bar exam, do I still get access to my Themis materials?

A:  Themis provides an unsuccessful first-time test taker complete access to the full Themis bar prep program for a second time if the test taker:  (1) is taking the exam in the same jurisdiction; (2) provides documents that they were unsuccessful on their first attempt or withdrew within 30 days of their first attempt; and (3) uses their free repeat for the next administration of the same jurisdiction’s exam.

Q: What if I don’t plan to take the bar exam?

A: Our agreement covers more than just bar preparation. It also includes programs and study aids that are designed to help students develop the skills and substantive knowledge fundamental to law school success. The resources and tools required to deliver a successful program are being purchased from Themis, much like we use tuition dollars and student fees to purchase books from various companies for the library and teaching tools from various vendors for professors.