Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among career game masters who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the planners began crafting a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session in the company of peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers who are probably in the same boat and aim to enhance their abilities,” explained the program's dean.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can choose from options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

Each course includes eight hours of training divided across a weekend.

“The classes are structured so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the week after and apply in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are led by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Industry advancement includes several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to attendees with particular aims.

“Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I think the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for a small group plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is interested in: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scenario for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Input from the debut workshop will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to three days, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The response has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in partnership with big conventions.”