Disclosed are apparatus and methods related to ground paths implemented with surface mount devices to facilitate shielding of radio-frequency (RF) modules. In some embodiments, a method for fabricating a radio-frequency module includes providing a packaging substrate, the packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components and the packaging substrate including a ground plane. In some embodiments, the method includes mounting a surface mount device on the packaging substrate, and forming or providing a conductive layer over the surface mount device such that the surface mount device electrically connects the conductive layer with the ground plane to thereby provide radio-frequency shielding between first and second regions about the surface mount device.