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

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience in the company of fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and aim to improve their skills,” explained Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can opt for packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Covers the basics of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Tailored to game masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes two days of instruction spread over two days.

“The workshops are designed so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the following week and apply in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement features multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is intended to offer targeted guidance to participants with definite objectives.

“Various attendees aim to start their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, several plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the coursework and the lab work is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an 60-minute private session and the chance to manage an adventure for five players plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The purpose is for the teacher to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Responses from the inaugural session will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl stated. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a given year, in different cities, and in various nations. The response has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in conjunction with big conventions.”