Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Workshops at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs lead Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance 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 creation of DMU. The first session is set for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers likely in a similar position and aim to level up their game,” stated Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

Game masters can select packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Every class includes eight hours of classwork spread over 48 hours.

“The classes are created so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and put into practice in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are led by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the craft of setting creation.

Career building presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is designed to deliver focused advice to attendees with definite objectives.

“Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take 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 enhanced option includes access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I believe the formal instruction and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier provides an 60-minute private session and the possibility to lead a session for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The goal is for the instructor to review any element is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scenario for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Responses from the first event will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to 72 hours, or trying out different seminar structures.

“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl said. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in different cities, and in different countries. The response has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I think it would be amazing to be able to do this in conjunction with big conventions.”