Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where experienced game masters manage D&D games in historic castles in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are especially popular among career game masters who rarely get the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The first session is planned for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in a similar position and aim to level up their game,” explained the program's dean.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

DMs can choose from packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, according to the level of access they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Teaches the basics of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes two days of training spread over a weekend.

“The classes are designed so that you walk away with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the week after and implement in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are taught by two professors. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Career building includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to provide specialized information to students with particular aims.

“Some of them plan to create their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an full two days just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I believe the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to run a game for a small group plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scene for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Input from the debut workshop will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that possible changes could include adding more office hours, extending the program to a longer period, or testing different seminar structures.

“I hope that we conduct these very often,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a single year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with current developments and I think it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with major events.”