None of the funds appropriated in the general appropriations act to the state educational institutions confirmed by Article 12, Section 11 of the state constitution may be used for the support of any program or programs of graduate study beyond the level of the bachelor's degree other than programs that were maintained by each institution previous to September 1, 1954, except by explicit approval of each program by the board of educational finance and the state board of finance prior to such use of the funds.
NMS § 21-1-24