DECA, a national association of marketing education students, provides teachers and members with educational and leadership development activities to merge with the education classroom instructional program. DECA is not extracurricular; it is an integral part of the classroom instructional program. DECA chapters attract students who are interested in preparing for entrepreneurial, marketing or management careers. While DECA membership consists primarily of students in marketing programs, membership extends also to alumni and to professionals in marketing education and in marketing teacher education. Working hand-in-hand with the education and business communities, DECA’s goal is for its student members to develop a "career success kit" to carry into their business and personal lives after graduation; one that includes:
Occupational competencies needed for career in marketing, management and entrepreneurship
Leadership abilities
Social and business etiquette
Understanding and appreciation of civic responsibility
Ethical behavior in personal and business relationships
Understanding the role of our free enterprise system in the global economy