In most cases YES if you can convince the VO on why you are going for the course and NO if you can't convince the VO. Only quite few numbers are successfully to go for a course outside their previous studies or related to their work experience or outside both by clearly convincing the VO why
I think, given you just concluded an online diploma, you should go for something that relates to it which will be quite convincing of your readiness to go back to school after 8yrs to the VO if you paint a clear picture for the understanding.
You can even state that you were already enrolled to the online program before you discovered that most employers don't pay much recognition to an online diploma in your country and you could not help than to just complete it but now, having tasted education once more after 8yrs, you felt and enjoyed the passion that motivated and drive you to pursue and acquire a certified degree within the confinement of a university or college.. just build your case convincingly when writing your statement of purpose(SOP) to the VO
Thanks a lot. I will do just that.