How to use 'NeedsTeXFormat{}' Option

Question

So I am trying to understand how \NeedsTeXFormat{LaTeX2e} is actually used. All the documentation I can find basically says to add a date after the \NeedsTeXFormat{LaTeX2e} with [] however, I cannot figure out if there is any other option for \NeedsTeXFormat{} for using the newer LaTeX3 items.

I am trying to teach myself how to write a class by updating my university's thesis class since it is about 8 years out of date and is using some packages that are deprecated and broken.