New Mexico Statutes Chapter 21. State and Private Education Institutions § 21-13-12. Degrees and certificates awarded

A. The community college board of a community college may award the appropriate degree upon the completion of a curriculum organized for that purpose and approved by the higher education department.  1 An associate degree or certificate may be awarded only to students as recommended by the faculty, the chief academic officer and the president of the community college as having completed satisfactorily the prescribed course of study.

B. The community college board may award an appropriate certificate upon completion of an education curriculum and program leading to alternative certification for degreed individuals pursuant to Section 22-10-3.5 NMSA 1978 or certification of educational assistant and coursework in elementary and secondary education professional development. The curriculum and program leading to alternative certification or certification of educational assistant shall be approved by the state board of education.