Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among career game masters who infrequently find the chance to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is set for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction alongside fellow DMs, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your peers likely in a similar position and aim to improve their skills,” stated the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can select tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes eight hours of training split over two days.

“The courses are structured so that you depart having tangible results, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development presents several experts, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is meant to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Some of them want to launch their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 enhanced option provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I think the formal instruction and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier provides an 60-minute private session and the possibility to lead a session for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The purpose is for the instructor to assess any element is focused on: I have difficulty with improvisation or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the inaugural session will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we do this regularly,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The reception has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in conjunction with big conventions.”