Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of DMU. The inaugural event is set for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session in the company of fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers often in comparable situations and also want to enhance their abilities,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can select tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, based on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Covers the essentials of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Designed for game masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes multiple sessions of training divided across two days.

“The workshops are structured so that you leave with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Career building includes several experts, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, some of them aim to release and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I believe the structured learning and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The goal is for the instructor to assess whichever aspect is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Input from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that possible changes could include adding more office hours, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we do this regularly,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The response has been really terrific. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I think it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”