Monte Cook and Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs run Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are especially popular among forever DMs who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is scheduled for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with peers in game mastering, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your peers often in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” stated the program's dean.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Every class includes two days of training divided across two days.

“The workshops are created so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and put into practice in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are taught by a pair of experts. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement features multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is intended to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Various attendees aim to start their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Advanced Options

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package offers access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“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 most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the coursework and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package provides an extended personal consultation and the possibility to run a game for five players plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The purpose is for the instructor to review whatever the DM is interested in: I struggle with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scene for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to receive input and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the debut workshop will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to a longer period, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The reception 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 partnership with big conventions.”