Sam Houston State University
Special Education at Sam Houston State University
At Sam Houston State University, we believe “The measure of a life is its service.” This commitment to service and excellence is reflected in our robust special education programs, designed to prepare students to lead, innovate, and advocate for individuals with diverse learning needs.
SHSU offers a range of special education pathways to meet your goals, including:
- Special Education Undergraduate Minor
- Master of Education in Special Education
- Master of Arts in Special Education
- Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a Special Education Cognate
Our Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction is the highest professional degree available for those aspiring to leadership roles in education. This program combines rigorous coursework in curriculum and special education with a major research project culminating in a defended dissertation.
Graduates are equipped to:
- Teach in colleges of education around the world
- Conduct research on special education
- Provide professional training to educators
- Construct and implement curricula at school, district, state, or national levels
- Work in government education agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and policy think tanks
With a legacy of more than 140 years in educator preparation, SHSU is proud to be:
- Federally designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution
- A Doctoral University – High Research Activity (Carnegie Classification)
- Classified as a “Community Engaged” institution
SHSU serves over 21,000 students and is consistently ranked among the top institutions for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report. Our vibrant community includes a strong support system for first-generation students, with nearly half of our students identifying as such.
Join us at SHSU to advance your career in special education and make a lasting impact in the lives of others.
Sam Houston State University Faculty
Leena Landmark, PhD
Christina Gushanas, PhD
Christina Gushanas, PhD
Dr. Leena Jo Landmark is a Professor of Special Education at Sam Houston State University (SHSU). Dr. Landmark's research focuses on the transition process for individuals with disabilities and can be categorized into four areas: family involvement, transition education, self-determination, and postsecondary education. She founded the gra
Dr. Leena Jo Landmark is a Professor of Special Education at Sam Houston State University (SHSU). Dr. Landmark's research focuses on the transition process for individuals with disabilities and can be categorized into four areas: family involvement, transition education, self-determination, and postsecondary education. She founded the graduate transition course sequence at SHSU and Ohio University. She is the recipient of multiple awards for her teaching and research, including most recently the Patricia L. Sitlington Research in Transition award from the Council for Exceptional Children Division on Career Development and Transition.
Christina Gushanas, PhD
Christina Gushanas, PhD
Christina Gushanas, PhD
Dr. Christina M. Gushanas is the Charles & Eleanor Garrett Endowed Assistant
Professor of Special Education in the College of Education. She is currently serving as the
Interim Executive Director of the SHSU Eleanor and Charles Garrett Center on Transition and Disability Studies. Additionally, Dr. Gushanas serves as the advisor for the Mast
Dr. Christina M. Gushanas is the Charles & Eleanor Garrett Endowed Assistant
Professor of Special Education in the College of Education. She is currently serving as the
Interim Executive Director of the SHSU Eleanor and Charles Garrett Center on Transition and Disability Studies. Additionally, Dr. Gushanas serves as the advisor for the Master of Education in Special Education in Special Education Transition Services and the Graduate Certificate in
Special Education Transition Services in the School of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Gushanas’s research focuses on the transition to employment and postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, and teacher preparation. She has served as Co-PI for the Texas Education Agency’s Student-Centered Transitions Network
and as a contributor on multiple state grants.