Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of DMU. The inaugural event is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and seek to improve their skills,” stated the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can select tiers ranging from $995 to $2,500, depending on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Focuses on the basics of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at dungeon masters who want to learn more about the gaming industry.

Every class includes multiple sessions of classwork spread over two days.

“The courses are created so that you depart having usable skills, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can participate in, learn from, and then head back to your table the week after and put into practice in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Universe creation is taught by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is intended to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives.

“Certain participants want to launch their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package offers access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I think the coursework and the lab work is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the chance to run a game for five players plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The goal is for the instructor to evaluate whatever the DM is interested in: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a scene for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and information on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to three days, or trying out different seminar structures.

“I hope that we host such events very often,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in different cities, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with the results so far and I think it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in partnership with major events.”