Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among career game masters who infrequently find the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios 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 debut workshop is set for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and other game masters likely in comparable situations and aim to level up their game,” stated the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can opt for tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the basics of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Aimed at game masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes eight hours of classwork split over 48 hours.

“The classes are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the following week and implement in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are led by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to deliver focused advice to students with particular aims.

“Some of them plan to create their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K premium package provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I think the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the possibility to manage an adventure for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The aim is for the instructor to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that possible changes could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a given year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The response has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with current developments and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in collaboration with major events.”