BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Many students have gone back to school to get further education or become better job candidates. One of those students is Ronda Herndon.

Herndon knows horses. She's been riding since she was seven, and has owned an equine business for more than 10 years.

But an accident caused her to go back to school.

"Have the education to back up that I've been in this business for quite a few years," explained Herndon.

She attended Bakersfield College and got an associate's degree in animal science. While she was at the college, Herndon was also offered the chance to take extra classes to get specialty certificates.

"Because I'm in a public oriented business as far as dealing with the horses and the public, (the specialty certificates were) supposed to enhance that," she said.

But after finishing her classes in May, Herndon didn't get her certificates.

"Kind of got the run around," Herndon recalled when she tried to get the certificates she earned. "I called, I didn't get an answer and they just kept passing the buck."

Turns out, Herndon is not alone.

BC has suspended all specialty certificates. The reason is their name.

According to BC's marketing director, Amber Chiang, the state told the college, "We own those names, you cannot call it that."

Now BC has to choose a different name for the specialty certificates. While choosing a different name doesn't seem that difficult, it can actually be a lengthy process.

"What we agree to is actually going to direct curriculum into the future," explained Chiang. "So we have to really look at it and make sure we're making the right decisions."

Even if the students have not gotten that piece of paper, the college says that's not a problem, because it's the education that matters.

"If you're going to get a job, the transcript is just as good," said Chiang. "If you're trying to prove your education to another agency just give us a call and we will advocate on your behalf."

To do that, just call the vice president of academic affairs at (661) 395-4011.

As for Herndon, not getting her certification won't exactly hurt her horse business, but she says it's the principle of the matter that's most important.

The college expects the name change to happen in December, but it could take longer.

Chiang said students who have completed their specialty certificates won't have to take extra classes to get the piece of paper once the name change is approved.