When AACSB held its Assessment and AoL Conference in New York City last March, one topic repeatedly emerged as a focal point among participants and presenters: indirect assessment. No doubt the same topic will be a major theme of the next conference, scheduled for May 12–14, 2025, in London.

The concept of indirect measures is not new, but the AACSB requirement for such measures is relatively recent. Standard 5 of AACSB’s 2020 business accreditation standards states, “The school employs well-documented assurance of learning (AoL) processes that include direct and indirect measures for ensuring the quality of all degree programs that are deemed in scope for accreditation purposes.”

By adding the requirement, AACSB is communicating the importance of gathering AoL data through a diverse array of assessment methods, including alumni feedback, learner surveys, and employer/industry focus groups. These indirect measures provide insights into teaching and learning that direct measures may not capture. Therefore, these tools act as valuable complements to traditional assessment practices and ensure that programs promote academic excellence and align with industry needs.

For fifteen years, Peregrine Global Services has equipped schools with customizable assessments designed to meet AoL requirements, including those set out by AACSB. Our Business Administration Assessment, for instance, offers a comprehensive online instrument that allows for direct and indirect measurement of learning outcomes across various degree levels.