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

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in historic castles in the UK and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are highly favored among career game masters who rarely get the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of DMU. The first session is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience together with peers in game mastering, where direct communication with faculty instructors and other game masters often in comparable situations and aim to level up their game,” noted the program's dean.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

Game masters can choose from packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the basics of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

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

“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the following week and implement in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is guided by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Career building includes multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to participants with particular aims.

“Certain participants plan to create their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, several plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K gold tier includes access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“You could almost run an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the coursework and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier provides an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The aim is for the faculty member to review whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the inaugural session will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl said that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, making it longer to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with current developments and I believe it would be amazing to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”