Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters run Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is scheduled for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session together with peers in game mastering, where direct communication with expert teachers and other game masters likely in comparable situations and aim to improve their skills,” explained Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

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

• Core Techniques: Covers the basics of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

Each course includes two days of classwork split over 48 hours.

“The courses are created so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can join, learn from, and then go right back home the week after and apply in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

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

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 gold tier offers access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I think the coursework and the lab work is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the possibility to run a game for several participants plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The aim is for the instructor to assess whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Responses from the first event will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to a longer period, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in different cities, and in different countries. The response has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in collaboration with large gatherings.”