Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among forever DMs who seldom have the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the planners began crafting a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where direct communication with faculty instructors and your peers who are probably in a similar position and also want to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

DMs can opt for packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the experts. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the basics of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at DMs who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes multiple sessions of classwork split over 48 hours.

“The workshops are created so that you leave with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the craft of setting creation.

Career building includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is designed to provide specialized information to students with specific goals.

“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option includes access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – I believe the structured learning and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2,500 top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to run a game for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and coaching.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whichever aspect is concerned with: I struggle with improv or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the inaugural session will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to a longer period, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with current developments and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”