Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Classes at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where expert DMs manage D&D games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a structured way to address these questions, which led to the founding of DMU. The first session is scheduled for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters who are probably in a similar position and also want to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

Game masters can select packages ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Teaches the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes eight hours of training spread over a weekend.

“The workshops are designed so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the week after and apply in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is meant to offer targeted guidance to students with particular aims.

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 gold tier includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I believe the formal instruction and the lab work is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option provides an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to run a game for a small group plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The purpose is for the teacher to evaluate whatever the DM is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Input from the debut workshop will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to three days, or testing different seminar structures.

“I expect that we host such events very often,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in partnership with large gatherings.”