First Year
A people set aside for His Presence
“when christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” – dietrich bonhoeffer
dallas, tx
nine months
twenty-five hours/wk
Our Focus
is ministry to the Lord.
Keeping this in mind, the First Year experience has been designed to invite you into an intentionally cultivated atmosphere of prayer and worship.
In your first year of USM, you will grow in biblical knowledge, understanding of the new covenant, intimacy with The Lord in your prayer life, and most importantly, a sustained hunger for His Presence.
Many students value their decision to spend a “gap year” or a transition season with us. In prioritizing their relationship with the Lord and their time at USM, they gain a Biblical and practical understanding of what it means to minister to Him with their lives.
Prayer
The Prayer Room is a place to gather to minister to the heart of God and receive God’s love. In this place, we hear God’s voice and then respond through praying, prophesying, and decreeing His will into the earth.
Students spend 16+ hours in the Prayer Room each week. We value the Presence of God and desire to establish a community in which the fullness of His Presence consistently manifests in our lives.
A core value for USM is the “in and out lifestyle.” After “coming in” to encounter Him in the place of worship and prayer, we “go out” to share the love of God with the world.
Classes
USM values honoring and loving relationships, and this translates to the classroom as well. Our desire is for students to feel comfortable enough to ask questions, take risks, and work through challenges. The classroom is a safe place to learn, discuss, and fail. Key classes during your First Year experience will be…
Biblical Foundations UPPERROOM Culture Theology New Covenant Intimacy in Prayer Upper Room Discourse Intro to Prayer Room
Transformation Groups
Transformation Groups are where life is lived out together. Every student will belong to a group where they will meet weekly in a smaller-sized environment with intentional leaders, fostering a space to enjoy living and learning together.
Transformation Groups
Transformation Groups are where life is lived out together. Every student will belong to a group where they will meet weekly in a smaller-sized environment with intentional leaders, fostering a space to enjoy living and learning together.
Application Info
Who Can Apply?
Requirements for applying to First Year include:
Must be at least 18 years of age
Have a high school deploma or GED
Be a citizen of the United States (or have residency)
Have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior
Important Application dates are:
Applications Open: October 20, 2025
Applications Close: July 1, 2026
When Can I Apply?
Calendar 2026-2027
fall semester
August 24: First Day of Class/Module 1 Begins
September 7: Labor Day Holiday/UPPERROOM Closed
September 21: USM Chapel
October 8: Module 1 Ends
October 13-15: USM Retreat
October 19: Module 2 Begins
November 16: USM Chapel
November 23-26: Thanksgiving Break
December 7: USM Chapel
December 10: Module 2 Ends
December 11 - January 10: Christmas Break
spring semester
January 18: MLK Day/UPPERROOM Closed
February 8-11: Chapel Week
March 4: Module 3 Ends
March 8-11: Missions Week
March 15-18: Spring Break
March 22: Module 4 Begins & USM Chapel
April 9-10: USM Burn
April 19: USM Chapel
April 26-27: Pastors and Leaders Conference
May 10: USM Chapel
May 12: Module 4 Ends
May 15: Commissioning
We were created to host the presence of the living God, and when we encounter His love, we can’t help but be transformed.
It’s time to learn how to stop doing good things for God and learn how to simply start being with Him.
