Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began crafting a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is planned for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your peers likely in a similar position and aim to enhance their abilities,” noted the program's dean.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

Game masters can choose from packages ranging from $995 to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Covers the essentials of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Tailored to game masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes multiple sessions of training split over two days.

“The workshops are created so that you depart having usable skills, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the next week and implement in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Universe creation is taught by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Professional development includes several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is meant to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them want to launch their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “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? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 enhanced option offers access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning 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 includes an extended personal consultation and the possibility to run a game for several participants plus an instructor, who will then give comments and coaching.

“The goal is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the debut workshop 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 alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with major events.”