Clinical Partnerships & Experiential Learning

CAHS students

Learn Through One of the Region's Largest Health Care Partnership Networks

College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) students gain practical experience through a broad network of hospitals, clinics, schools, community agencies, laboratories, rehabilitation centers, and health organizations.

Our location at the center of Cincinnati's thriving medical and health care hub creates unparalleled opportunities for clinical placements, community engagement, and professional connections and mentors. 

By the numbers

Partnerships spanning health care, education, community services, public health, and industry

1,097

active clinical affiliation agreements

1,000+

placement locations

34

opportunities in 34 states

Co-op, the CAHS Way

UC is nationally recognized for cooperative education. In the health professions, experiential learning takes a different form. Clinical placements, fieldwork experiences, practicums, and internships provide students with direct patient, client, and community-based experiences while helping them meet professional accreditation and licensure requirements. Our extensive network of clinical partners gives students access to some of the region's and nation's most respected health care organizations.

Preparing Career-Ready Professionals

Clinical and field experiences allow students to:

  • Apply classroom learning
  • Develop professional skills
  • Build confidence 
  • Network with future employers
  • Explore specialties and career pathways
Student with preceptor with ultrasound
Student with patient in rehab office
Experiential learning is at the heart of every CAHS program. Our clinical, fieldwork, practicum, and internship experiences allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom while developing the confidence, competence, and professional judgment needed to enter the workforce.

Ramesh Kaipa, PhD Associate Dean, Community Partnerships and Impact

Where students learn

Students gain experience in leading health systems, hospitals, specialty care centers, and rehabilitation settings.

Featured Partners

  • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • UC Health
  • University of Cincinnati Medical Center
  • The Christ Hospital 
  • TriHealth
  • Bon Secours Mercy Health
  • Kettering Health
  • St. Elizabeth Healthcare 
  • Nationwide Children's Hospital
  • MetroHealth
  • Norton Healthcare
  • Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center 
  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Bethesda North Hospital
  • Good Samaritan Hospital
  • West Chester Hospital 
  • Fort Hamilton Hospital

Through partnerships with nationally recognized health systems and hospitals, students gain hands-on experience alongside practicing clinicians in a variety of care settings.

Students provide services and gain supervised clinical experience through university-operated clinics and programs.

Featured Partners

  • UC Speech and Hearing Clinic
  • Occupational Therapy Community Clinics
  • Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinics
  • Kroger IPE Clinic

Students work directly with nonprofit organizations, community agencies, and local partners to improve health and well-being. 

Featured Partners

  • Mental Health America
  • Brighton Center
  • Child Focus
  • Down Syndrome Association
  • Cancer Support Community
  • Love Grows
  • Maple Knoll Communities
  • Special Olympics
  • Head Start
  • Bearcats Pantry

Students learn how health professionals address community needs through prevention, outreach, education, advocacy, and support services.

Students gain experience in educational environments supporting children, families, educators, and future health professionals.

Featured Partners

  • Head Start Programs
  • Cincinnati Public Schools
  • Preschool Development Programs
  • National Consortium for Health Science Education
  • University of Cincinnati College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services
  • Xavier University
  • Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Educational partnerships provide opportunities to support communication, development, wellness, and learning across the lifespan.

Students develop technical and analytical skills in laboratories, diagnostic centers, and imaging facilities.

Featured Partners

  • Cincinnati Children's Laboratory
  • UC Medical Center Laboratories
  • VA Laboratory
  • Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
  • Compunet Clinical Laboratories
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Werfen
  • ProScan Imaging
  • Beacon Orthopaedics Imaging
  • Christ Hospital Laboratories

Clinical laboratory and diagnostic partners help students gain experience with the technologies and procedures that support modern health care.

Students contribute to initiatives that support population health, public services, and community well-being.

Featured Partners

  • Hamilton County Job & Family Services
  • City of Springdale Health Department
  • Veterans Affairs Health System
  • Cincinnati Fire Department
  • UC Radiation Safety
  • Federal and State Health Agencies (various placement sites)

Public-sector partnerships expose students to the broader systems that influence health, safety, prevention, and community outcomes.

Students engage with organizations advancing innovation, research, data analytics, diagnostics, and health technology.

Featured Partners

  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Werfen
  • Medpace
  • Center for Health Informatics
  • Maple Knoll Telehealth Research Initiative
  • ProScan Imaging
  • Health Informatics Practicum Partners

Industry partnerships provide exposure to emerging technologies, research, diagnostics, health informatics, and innovation shaping the future of health care.

Students gain hands-on experience in rehabilitation, recovery, and wellness settings that help individuals improve function, independence, and quality of life throughout the lifespan.

Featured Partners

  • Physical therapy practices
  • Occupational therapy providers
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Wellness and prevention organizations

Rehabilitation and specialty care partnerships provide students with experience in recovery, mobility, wellness, and long-term care while developing the clinical and interdisciplinary skills needed across the continuum of care.

Students work alongside organizations that support mental health, behavioral health, recovery, family services, and community well-being.

Featured Partners

  • Talbert House
  • Best Point Education & Behavioral Health
  • Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services
  • Lindner Center of Hope
  • Mental Health America
  • Brighton Center
  • Child Focus

Behavioral health and human services partnerships help students understand whole-person care while gaining experience supporting the mental, emotional, and social needs of individuals and communities.

Regional and National Reach

Infographic titled "Clinical Placements Across the Nation." A color-coded map of the United States shows University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences clinical placement partnerships. Ohio is highlighted in dark red with the highest number of program-site links (50+), while Texas, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, California, and several other states are shaded in lighter orange tones representing lower ranges of partnerships. Black dots mark individual placement locations across the country, with dense clusters in Ohio, the Northeast, California, Texas, and Florida. A sidebar states "34 States with Placements" and "12 CAHS Programs Represented." A legend indicates state shading for 1–5, 6–20, 21–50, and 50+ program-site links, with black dots representing placement locations. A footer reads, "At the center of Cincinnati's medical hub, creating real experiences that lead to real impact."

Clinical Placements Across the Nation: A U.S. map highlights the national reach of University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences clinical placements. Students complete hands-on learning experiences at placement sites in 34 states across 12 CAHS programs, with the highest concentration of program-site partnerships in Ohio and additional strong networks in Texas, Florida, California, and along the East Coast. Black dots indicate individual placement locations, illustrating opportunities in health care, education, laboratory, and community settings nationwide.