Monte Cook and Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs manage D&D games in historic castles in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among career game masters who rarely get the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the planners began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session together with peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and other game masters likely in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Workshop Options and Cost Levels
Game masters can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The base tier includes one of four courses:
- Skill Building: Focuses on the basics of running D&D.
- Story Arc Development: Centers on building persistent adventures.
- Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
- Industry Advancement: Tailored to dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.
Every class includes two days of instruction divided across two days.
“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your home campaign.”
Expert Instructors
Many sessions are taught by two professors. Universe creation is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, together instructing the craft of setting creation.
Professional development presents several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is meant to offer targeted guidance to participants with definite objectives.
“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, others aim to release and write original content,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”
Higher Tiers
A $1,500 gold tier includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.
“One could practically host an complete event just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – In my opinion the coursework and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”
The $2,500 top package offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and instruction.
“The goal is for the teacher to review whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with improv or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scene for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”
Future Plans
Feedback from the debut workshop will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to a longer period, or experimenting with different seminar structures.
“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I think it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in partnership with big conventions.”
