Initial concerns about online degrees - cheating, easy access to resources, and low standards - led institutions to adopt stronger measures: remote proctoring, LMS tools, plagiarism detection, competency-based assessments, and hybrid models. Accreditation and transparent graduate outcomes remain the clearest indicators of quality. Accredited online programs that demonstrate robust assessment and skill development are increasingly accepted by employers, though acceptance varies by field. Prospective students should verify accreditation, assessment methods, and employment results.
Online colleges: from skepticism to standards
When online degrees first became common, employers and academics raised familiar concerns: easier cheating, unrestricted online resources, questionable verification of credentials, and perceived lower academic standards. Those worries shaped public opinion and slowed acceptance of online credentials.
Measures that raised academic rigor
Over the last two decades, most legitimate online programs adopted several practices to strengthen academic integrity and quality. Accredited schools now use identity verification and remote proctoring for exams, apply learning-management systems (LMS) such as Canvas or Blackboard to track progress, and deploy plagiarism detection and learning analytics to monitor engagement.
Colleges also tightened curriculum design and assessment. Many programs favor project-based and competency-based assessments that make rote cheating less useful. Hybrid models - combining online coursework with in-person labs, residencies, or synchronous sessions - help ensure practical skills are assessed directly.
Accreditation and transparency matter most
Accreditation remains the clearest signal of program quality. Regional and recognized national accreditors review curriculum, faculty credentials, student outcomes, and financial stability. Students should check an institution's accreditor, graduation and job-placement rates, and consumer complaint records before enrolling.
Employer acceptance has grown, but varies
Today many employers accept accredited online degrees, especially when candidates can demonstrate relevant skills and experience. Tech companies, public-sector employers, and many large organizations increasingly value demonstrable competencies, project portfolios, and certifications alongside degrees. Acceptance still varies by field and employer, so prospective students should research industry expectations for their target role.
Practical advice for prospective students
Look for these signals when evaluating an online college:
- Regional or nationally recognized accreditation.
- Clear course syllabi, assessment methods, and learning outcomes.
- Use of proctoring, identity verification, and plagiarism detection.
- Opportunities for synchronous interaction, labs, or hands-on work.
- Alumni outcomes and employer connections.
A note about Westwood and for-profit history
Some early online pioneers were for-profit chains that experimented with rapid growth and marketing. Westwood College was one such institution that offered online programs; its institutional status changed in the 2010s . These changes prompted broader scrutiny of for-profit models and reinforced the value of accreditation and outcome transparency.
Bottom line
Online degrees have matured. Accredited programs that combine strong assessment design, identity verification, transparent outcomes, and opportunities to demonstrate skills can offer credible, career-relevant education. Do your due diligence: check accreditation, assessment methods, and employment outcomes before you enroll.
- Confirm Westwood College's operational status and closure timeline, and whether it formally ceased operations in the 2010s.
- Verify that Westwood College offered online programs and any major legal or accreditation actions affecting its status.