🔗 Share this article Keith Baker and Monte Cook Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in old manors in Britain and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among career game masters who rarely get the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the coordinators began designing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept 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 fellow DMs who are probably in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” explained the program's dean. Available Classes and Pricing Tiers Dungeon Masters can opt for options ranging from $995 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops: Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of running D&D. Story Arc Development: Centers on crafting long-running games. Universe Design: Highlights the crafting of environments. Career Building: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business. All workshops includes multiple sessions of training spread over two days. “The courses are structured so that you leave with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, learn from, and then go right back home the week after and apply in your home campaign.” Expert Instructors Most classes are taught by two professors. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the skill of universe design. Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is intended to provide specialized information to participants with definite objectives. “Some of them want to launch their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?” Premium Packages A $1.5K premium package offers access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings. “One could practically host an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I believe the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2,500 platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the chance to run a game for a small group plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction. “The purpose is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with improv or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.” Next Steps Input from the inaugural session will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to a longer period, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in multiple 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 organize these in collaboration with major events.”
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in old manors in Britain and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among career game masters who rarely get the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the coordinators began designing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept 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 fellow DMs who are probably in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” explained the program's dean. Available Classes and Pricing Tiers Dungeon Masters can opt for options ranging from $995 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops: Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of running D&D. Story Arc Development: Centers on crafting long-running games. Universe Design: Highlights the crafting of environments. Career Building: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business. All workshops includes multiple sessions of training spread over two days. “The courses are structured so that you leave with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, learn from, and then go right back home the week after and apply in your home campaign.” Expert Instructors Most classes are taught by two professors. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the skill of universe design. Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is intended to provide specialized information to participants with definite objectives. “Some of them want to launch their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?” Premium Packages A $1.5K premium package offers access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings. “One could practically host an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I believe the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2,500 platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the chance to run a game for a small group plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction. “The purpose is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with improv or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.” Next Steps Input from the inaugural session will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to a longer period, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in multiple 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 organize these in collaboration with major events.”