Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs lead D&D games in old manors in the UK and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the chance to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is set for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction together with other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and your peers likely in a similar position and aim to improve their skills,” stated the program's dean.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can opt for options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the essentials of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes eight hours of instruction divided across 48 hours.

“The classes are designed so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development presents several experts, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to attendees with particular aims.

“Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 gold tier provides access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I believe the formal instruction and the lab work 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 offers an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The aim is for the instructor to evaluate whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scene for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the inaugural session will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to a longer period, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in various locations, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”