If I've been approved for deferred action and get married afterwards to a u.s. citizen, would that allow me to continue staying in the U.S. while I fi

Your marriage to a US citizen means you may apply for permanent resident status, but you must obtain a waiver of the unlawful presence bar before you can get your green card.  After March 4th, you can apply for that waiver from within the US, but you will first have to get married and your spouse will have to file an I-130 petition for you.  Once that I-130 petition is approved, you can apply for the provisional waiver here in the US.  If that is approved, you can go to your home country and obtain an immigrant visa and return as a permanent resident.