R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-40-4: Degrees without specific authority prohibited.

No academy, college, university, or institution of education conducted within this state, nor any officer or member of these, in recognition of the attainment or proficiency of any member of these, scholar, student, subscriber, or other person, in pursuing or graduating from any course or courses of study, arts, or learning conducted by it or another school, corporation, association, or institution, or in recognition of the attainment or achievement of any person, shall admit any person to the grade of a degree by conferring or by participating in conferring any degree upon any person or persons, except under the authority of a charter or articles of association specifically authorizing the granting of degrees, issued in accordance with the laws of this state.