🔗 Share this article Monte Cook and Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the moment to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table. In response, the planners began designing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and other game masters who are probably in the same boat and aim to improve their skills,” noted the program's dean. Available Classes and Ticket Packages DMs can choose from tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, based on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The base tier includes selection from four classes: Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of running D&D. Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games. Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds. Industry Advancement: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry. All workshops includes eight hours of instruction spread over 48 hours. “The courses are designed so that you depart having usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and apply in your regular session.” Seasoned Educators The majority of workshops are led by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design. Professional development features several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is intended to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals. “Some of them plan to create their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, some of them want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Can anyone do it?” Advanced Options A $1,500 premium package includes access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings. “One could practically host an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the coursework and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option provides an extended personal consultation and the chance to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching. “The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.” Coming Developments Input from the debut workshop will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements. “I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the moment to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table. In response, the planners began designing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and other game masters who are probably in the same boat and aim to improve their skills,” noted the program's dean. Available Classes and Ticket Packages DMs can choose from tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, based on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The base tier includes selection from four classes: Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of running D&D. Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games. Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds. Industry Advancement: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry. All workshops includes eight hours of instruction spread over 48 hours. “The courses are designed so that you depart having usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and apply in your regular session.” Seasoned Educators The majority of workshops are led by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design. Professional development features several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is intended to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals. “Some of them plan to create their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, some of them want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Can anyone do it?” Advanced Options A $1,500 premium package includes access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings. “One could practically host an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the coursework and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option provides an extended personal consultation and the chance to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching. “The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.” Coming Developments Input from the debut workshop will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements. “I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”