Skip to main content
Main Menu Toggle
DECA » DECA

DECA

EB
 
 

DECA is a co-curricular, student-centered educational organization. For over 60 years, DECA’s mission has been to enhance the education of students with interests in marketing, management and entrepreneurship.


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:


  • Career competencies
  • Job skills
  • Leadership abilities
  • An understanding and appreciation of community service
  • Ethical values

To accomplish this, DECA uses on-the-job experience, chapter projects, and a competency based competitive events program in more than 38 specific areas. DECA emphasizes academic and career excellence and helps to demonstrate the all-important direct relationship between curriculum and the real needs of business and industry.


The organization is nonprofit, nonpolitical and totally student oriented. All chapters are self-supporting, with members paying local, state/provincial and DECA Inc. dues.


The DECA chapter is to the marketing education program what a civic or professional organization is to a group of business people. Chapter activities are recognized as a part of the total educational program because they develop leadership skills, professional attitudes, business competency, citizenship characteristics and social growth of the individual. These same activities serve the instructor as a teaching tool by creating student interest in all phases of marketing, management and entrepreneurship.


DECA activities provide members with opportunities to serve in leadership roles, work in teams, and receive local, state/provincial and international recognition.

 

Membership benefits for students:


  • DECA focuses the student on defining his/her college and career goals and emphasizes the relevance of core studies.
  • DECA connects the importance of lifelong learning with success.
  • DECA is the only student organization serving marketing education.
  • DECA develops leadership skills by offering the most extensive leadership training opportunities of all student organizations.
  • DECA offers state and international recognition through competition in 38 occupational areas.
  • DECA awards more than $300,000 in scholarships each year.
  • DECA promotes free enterprise and entrepreneurship.
  • DECA is diverse.
  • DECA membership is available in all 50 states, 4 U.S. territories, 2 Canadian provinces, Germany and Mexico.
  • DECA has over 225,000 high school and college members in 5,000 chapters.
  • DECA’s membership is equally divided between male and female members.
  • DECA works because students’ needs are met.