🔗 Share this article Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Teaching Classes at DMU Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in old manors in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the planners began crafting a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is set for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs likely in comparable situations and aim to enhance their abilities,” explained the program's dean. Available Classes and Cost Levels Dungeon Masters can choose from packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops: Skill Building: Teaches the essentials of leading a game. Campaign Building: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns. Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the development of worlds. Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business. Each course includes eight hours of instruction spread over two days. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the following week and put into practice in your home campaign.” Seasoned Educators Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding. Professional development features several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to students with particular aims. “Various attendees aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, several want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?” Premium Packages A fifteen hundred dollar premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings. “You could almost run an full two days just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and coaching. “The purpose is for the faculty member to review any element is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.” Coming Developments Responses from the first event will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I think it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in conjunction with big conventions.”
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in old manors in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the planners began crafting a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is set for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs likely in comparable situations and aim to enhance their abilities,” explained the program's dean. Available Classes and Cost Levels Dungeon Masters can choose from packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops: Skill Building: Teaches the essentials of leading a game. Campaign Building: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns. Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the development of worlds. Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business. Each course includes eight hours of instruction spread over two days. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the following week and put into practice in your home campaign.” Seasoned Educators Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding. Professional development features several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to students with particular aims. “Various attendees aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, several want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?” Premium Packages A fifteen hundred dollar premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings. “You could almost run an full two days just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and coaching. “The purpose is for the faculty member to review any element is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.” Coming Developments Responses from the first event will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I think it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in conjunction with big conventions.”