Keith Baker and Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in Britain and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a organized method to address these questions, which led to the establishment of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience together with other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs likely in a similar position and seek to level up their game,” noted the program's dean.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

DMs can select packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Teaches the essentials of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Tailored to DMs who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes eight hours of classwork divided across two days.

“The courses are designed so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are led by two professors. Universe creation is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Professional development includes four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is intended to deliver focused advice to attendees with particular aims.

“Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them aim to release and write original content,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The aim is for the teacher to assess whichever aspect is interested in: I struggle with improvisation or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Input from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include adding more office hours, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we conduct these frequently,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in partnership with large gatherings.”