About Alicia McLean
Psychology Experience
Department of Psychology, University of Central Oklahoma
Professor and Forensic Psychology Program Coordinator August 2014 – present
Assistant Professor and Forensic Psychology Program Coordinator August 2007 – May 2012
- Teach courses in social psychology and applied areas, such as law, religion, and statistics; Conduct research and disseminate findings
- Supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, overseeing Forensic Psychology MS
Department of Psychology and Counseling, Southern Nazarene University
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Research July 2012 – June 2014
Director of Graduate Research March 2003 – June 2014
- Taught courses in social psychology and applied areas
- Oversaw psychology research/grants/graduate student projects
Special Education Services, Oklahoma State Department of Education
Associate Director of Data, Finance, and Assessment June 2005 – August 2007
- Drafted Oklahoma policies and procedures in special education
- Created individual district reports for special education services
- Prepared and submitted yearly state reports to the USDE
LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND MEMBERSHIPS
Criminal Defense Licensed Legal Intern and Consultant August 2023 – present
- Assist trial voir dire, exhibits, direct and cross examination
- Review file discovery; Draft motions
Oklahoma County Public Defender's Office
Legal Psychologist and Consultant
Licensed Legal Intern May 2024 – August 2024
Criminal Defense Intern June 2023 – August 2023
- Represented clients in misdemeanor criminal dockets and Rule 8 hearings
- Reviewed file discovery; Drafted motions
National Institute of Justice, United States Department of Justice
Assistant Site Manager and Interviewer, Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program August 2000 – October 2002
- Coordinated Oklahoma County Jail and Tulsa County Jail interviews and arrestee biomedical samples
- Conducted interviews of arrestees regarding drug/alcohol use
Oklahoma Criminal Justice Resource Center
Statistical Research Specialist and Research Assistant October 1998-May 2002
- Evaluated existing drug court programs and presented findings at the inaugural Drug Court Conference
- Collected felony judgment and sentences in Oklahoma for coding, entry, and summarization
• Oklahoma Bar Association • Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg Inn of Court • Criminal Law Association (Secretary)
• American Constitution Society (Parliamentarian) • Outlaw (Secretary)
• Public Interest Law Student Association • First Generation Law Student Association • Federal Bar Association • American Psychology-Law Society
Education
- 2022-2025 - Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
- Licensed Legal Intern (LLI)
- University of Oklahoma
- 2021-2022 - Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.)
- Arizona State University
- Certificate Area: Criminal Law
- Certificate Area: Conflict Resolution
- 2002-2005 – Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology
- University of Oklahoma
- Major Area: Social-Personality Psychology
- 2000-2002 – Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology
- University of Oklahoma
- 1997-2000 - Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology
- Southern Nazarene University
Personal Life
In addition to serving as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma and as a Licensed Legal Criminal Defense Intern at the Law Office of Joi E. Miskel, Dr. McLean enjoys traveling (especially internationally), binging shows/movies, reading for pleasure, listening to rock music, cheering on her favorite football teams, and most importantly, spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Psychology research
The majority of Dr. McLean's research centers on the application of social psychology to the legal system. Current projects include characteristics of law enforcement officers, public perceptions of law enforcement, public perceptions (including identification with and empathy towards) popular and unpopular psychopaths, and factors impacting jury recommendations for sentencing (including nullification).
In addition to legal psychology research, Dr. McLean conducts research on relationships/sexuality and on the application of social psychology to religion. Current projects include perceptions of religion by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the religious trauma experienced as a result of conversion therapy, among others.