Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where experienced game masters run Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is set for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session together with peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs likely in a similar position and seek to improve their skills,” noted the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can select tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, based on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the basics of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Aimed at game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

Every class includes eight hours of classwork spread over 48 hours.

“The courses are created so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the following week and implement in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are instructed by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is taught by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Professional development includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is meant to provide specialized information to attendees with particular aims.

“Some of them aim to start their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and create new material,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures 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'm not certain if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option offers an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to lead a session for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The goal is for the faculty member to assess whichever aspect is focused on: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Input from the debut workshop will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we do this very often,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with the results so far and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in collaboration with major events.”